Chapter 98: Chapter 98

Miatta

He was victorious, weak, yes but victorious at the very end. Everyone knew that the end justified the means and my Lucas had emerged the victor. I caught Beta Logan’s surprised look, mouth agape in disbelief. Even the Lycan King was on his feet to make sure it was indeed his son standing. Obviously, no one had expected the prince to win the match that he had been outmatched from the very beginning. However, it was Hanjo lying lifeless on the ground, not my brave mate. He had regained control of his senses just in time and whatever had hampered his strength had been no match for his determination to win. I had merely bought him the time he needed by guiding his steps until he was able to do it himself. Ryker was at his side almost immediately and I took off in the direction of the wrestlers’ camp. Hanjo’s lifeless carcass was carted off the grounds.

When I parted the curtains, I was drawn to where he lay, breathing heavily and with a little difficulty. He was on his back, Ryker taking his outfit off him. He looked pale like he was dying and my fear for his life was renewed once again.

“Lucas! Should I get the healer?”

“Please. . .” he approved, his voice small and tired. He must have used up his strength in the last minutes of the fight. Luckily, it had been enough to take down Hanjo but it was bearing down on him now. I ran between the crowd and some of the lycans were leaving, the big fight done and dusted. The werecat clan’s Alpha bowed his head low before the Lycan King in obeisance but anyone close enough to see his face could tell that he was angry about the loss. I refused to be sidetracked by the happenings around me and sought out Athena amongst the numerous bodies. Finally, she found her leaving the wrestling grounds, her bag slung on her shoulders.

I fell to my knees before her to get her attention. “Please, healer, you have to come with me. The Lycan Prince is dying and he needs your help, please.” I was aware of the estranged relationship between Athena and the royal family. I only hoped that she would not hold a grudge against them at a time when a life was at stake. Athena turned her wise eyes on me and the similarities between mother and daughter was even more profound. They both had strange hair, Athena’s white while Addy’s was blonde. They were both beautiful and full of wisdom that one felt nourished from just sitting with Addy for mere minutes.

“Rise. Where is the Prince now?” she asked, not moving an inch. I got off my knees and wrung my hands nervously.

“He is in the wrestlers’ camp with his manservant.”

“Ryker?” she asked, a strange look of pleasure on her countenance before it was gone as quickly as it had come. I raised a brow at the thought that the stoic bodyguard and the eccentric healer could have anything sexual to do with each other. Putting that distasteful thought far away, I nodded, not trusting my voice. She rummaged in her bag, probably taking stock of all she had come out with. I waited impatiently, shifting side to side as time flew by. When she was done, she led the way to the wrestlers’ camp, saying nothing to me all through the way.

“We are here, Ryker!” I called out loud in advance so that he could make sure the prince was decent enough for us to come in. More than twice, I caught Athena whispering to herself and walking along with her eyes shut sometimes. The woman was scary in a pleasant way and once again, I was curious to know what was between her and Ryker. She parted the flap when we arrived and immediately knelt beside Lucas. His breathing was shallow now and his forehead was pale and slick with profuse sweating. Athena however was unmoved by the sight before her, quietly accessing the situation. Ryker squatted by the other side of his master, massaging his still palm.

“Well?” I asked, uncomfortable with the silence. Both Athena and Ryker glared at me and I shut my mouth abruptly. She hummed sweetly, dabbing his forehead with a little cloth and carrying on as if the situation was not a grave one. I sat beside Ryker, trying to keep my hands off Lucas while she went to work. I didn't want to interfere with whatever she was doing to save my mate.

“Ryker?” she suddenly called, the name sweet off her tongue.

“Yes, Mistress Athena?” he replied automatically, his dark eyes focused on her.

“What did the prince consume just before his fight?”

The bodyguard frowned lightly, puzzled by the unexpected question. He glanced at me to know if I had come up with the answer. I shrugged, unable to remember. Besides, I had previously been prevented from entering the camp with Lucas. Athena followed Ryker’s stare, tracing it to my face and left her gaze there.

“What about you, Miatta? Do you have any idea what the prince consumed?”

I balked at the sudden diversion of the attention to my person. “Well. . . we had a meal together. But. . but it couldn't be the food, could it? I mean, I ate off the same bowl yet here I am, hale and hearty.”

Athena nodded slowly and brought her dabbing cloth to her nostrils. The weird action caused Ryker and I to exchange looks.

“Go ahead, Miatta. Ask him. I can't start the treatment if I don't know what I am fighting.”

I was about to question her concerning how I was supposed to ask a semi-conscious shifter when I saw the knowing look she sent my way. I hadn't fooled her one bit; she knew about Lucas and I. Getting comfortable, I closed my eyes and sought Lucas’ wolf spirit. It didn't take a minute to mindlink with Lucas, whose spirit was roaming around restlessly.

Lucas, are you there?

Yes.

Did you hear what Athena wants to know?

A brief silence ensued and I hoped that he could recall the last thing he consumed. If he couldn't remember, Athena couldn't help him, meaning that he was as good as dead.

I think. . . a slave brought me some water just before my fight with Hanjo.

A slave? I asked, wanting to be sure I had heard correctly.

Yes but it was strange. Females are not allowed into the camp before a fight. It's considered bad luck but she had brought me some water and I had not thought it weird then.

I will let Athena know. Hold on, Lucas.

I opened my eyes only to find Ryker blushing furiously. He scrambled onto his feet at once, clearing his suddenly clogged throat. Athena smiled dangerously, her eyes twinkling with the knowledge behind them.

“So what did he say?” Ryker asked all of a sudden, breaking the silence.

“He said a slave brought him some water just before he went out to fight Hanjo. Perhaps it had been something in the water?”

Athena inhaled sharply, shaking her head sadly. “It's just as I thought, old tricks from his enemies. The water was obviously tainted but now that I know the medium with which he consumed the poison, I can do something about it.”

She retrieved a little bottle from her furry bag and spilled a powdery substance onto her palm. She inserted a finger in the powder and smeared it on his lips liberally. His tongue snaked out of the seam of his lips and he lapped at the medicinal substance, groaning afterwards. Slowly, he opened his weak eyes, looking at the trio around him.

“What was that?” he complained, frowning characteristically. “It tastes disgusting.”

“He's back.” Ryker intoned, shaking his head in amusement.