Elise Marion [Marion - The Awakened Prince

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T HE SOUND OF polished boots against gleaming marble floors echoed down the seemingly endless corridor. Its cadence held a sense of urgency, impatience even, and all who heard were wise enough to stand aside, though they did not forget to bow or curtsy to the man moving swiftly past them. His strides were long and purposeful, his face devoid of all outward emotion. Those who knew him best would be able to tell that nervous fingers had mussed his light blond curls. Otherwise, he kept the well of emotions threatening to erupt at any moment to himself.

Mouth pressed into a grim line, he increased his speed once rounding a corner, almost to his destination. The footman whod come running into his study had brought exciting news. The information was so phenomenal that if anyone else were privy to what went on behind the closed door of his brothers bedchamber, they would wonder why he did not leap for joy.

It was what he had been hoping for, praying for, waiting for. Perhaps this was why he refused to get his hopes up. This seemed too good to be true, and he wouldnt believe it until he saw it for himself.

He neared the tall oak door leading to his brothers chamber and paused, uncertain what to expect. The servants message had been panted out between short breaths, since the man had run across the entire length of the palace to find him. He was certain hed heard correctly, but perhaps he hadnt. Maybe hed gotten it wrong.

During his short reign, King Damien Rothchester had learned a great many things. One of those lessons was that he could not govern everything. This was a daunting thought for one who could command an entire army or fleet of ships with a single word. He had authority over much, but had never been able to control the things that really mattered.

Hed awaited for this day for so long, and now that it was here he felt uncertain how to proceed. Would his brother retain his memory? Would he be angry at Damien for having to take the throne in his stead? Would he be anything like his former self, or merely a shadow of the man hed once been?

There was only one way to find out.

He lifted his hand to the knob and turned, pushing the door in slowly. Then, he poked his head through the opening and peered into the room.

On the bed lay Serge, propped upright by pillows with his eyes open for the first time since hed slipped into a coma one year ago. He had lost a considerable amount of weight, and his hair had grown well past his shoulders. An overgrown beard shadowed the lower half of his face.

But, even from his distance, he witnessed the clarity in his brothers eyes, a glimmer that showed the same good humor and intelligence as before.

Damiens heart swelled and tears sprang to his eyes. Every emotion he had ever known welled up within his chest, threatening to spill forth in a chorus of prayers and cries of thanks to God.

The sound of a womans soft sobs alerted him to the presence of another in the room. Damien had been so immersed in studying the face of his long-lost brother and thanking the Heavens, he hadnt noticed that his sister-in-law sat on the bed with Serge, arms wrapped around his neck. She sobbed audibly, shoulders shaking as she held on to Serge as if she did not want to let go.

Damien knew the feeling. The two of them were the only people left in the entire palace who had held on to hope. Theyd refused to believe he would not awaken someday, and now he finally had.

Serge, he murmured, stepping into the room and closing the door.

Both occupants of the room glanced up at the sound of his voice and smiled. Isabelle stood, hands clasped together as if in prayer. Serge seemed to try to move, but scowled as he found himself unable to, his head lolling as if his neck failed him, arms and legs twitching as if he tried to move but could not.

He came to a few minutes ago, Isabelle said, sniffling and swiping at her pale blue eyes with the back of her hand. One moment he was just lying there, and the next he was sitting up in bed, looking at me.

She grabbed Damiens arm and propelled him toward the canopied bed, since his legs seemed to have stopped functioning on their own. He followed, feeling as if he floated instead of walking, his mind detached from his body.

He doesnt know how long its been, she whispered Hes weak and cannot move much, but speaks without trouble.

Damiens heart sank to the pit of his stomach, and he repressed the urge to sigh aloud.

Serge had not yet glimpsed himself in a mirror, but when he did, he was sure to understand just how long he had lain unconscious in his bed. He loathed having to be the one to tell him what had happenedas he had hated the burden of being known as the only surviving Rothchester heir after the massacre that had torn his family asunder. Theyd gotten the secondborn back, it seemed, but at such a heavy cost.

Im glad to see you Damien, Serge said, his gaze falling on Damien. But Isabelle told the footman to go and fetch Lionus. Where is he?

He turned a questioning glance to Isabelle, who gave him a helpless shrug. I told him to go and find His Highness immediately.

Serge did not yet know that Damien was now His Highness.

He cleared his throat.

There is something you should know, he said, taking another step toward the bed. Much has occurred that you should be made aware of.

Serges smile faded as he looked first at Damien, then at Isabelle, who suddenly seemed unable to look him in the eye. Now, he sensed the tension thrumming through the open air between them, picking up on their unease.

Whats going on? Wheres Lionus? I I remember the attack and being hurt. But after that its all a dark blur.

Damien pinched the bridge of his nose, uncertain where to begin, or whether Serge could handle the truth of what had happened in his weakened state.

You have been ill, he hedged.

Ill? Serge asked, furrowing his brow in concentration as he seemed to try to remember. How long has it been? A few weeks?

There was no use holding back, he supposed. He had much to say, a lot of which Serge would not be happy to hear. But, it was better that he hear it all at once. Much like pulling a tooth, it would be excruciating and Damien would have to do it swiftly. The sooner it was over, the sooner his brother could begin to heal. He took a deep breath and plunged ahead.