Thorne sat in his office, his eyes scanning the documents given to him, yet he couldn't grasp a single word, not with how unfocused his eyes were. He blinked twice, shaking his head sharply. His posture was slouched, one hand pressed to his temple.

It was a day after he went to see Elara, and because of the break he took to see her, his work had doubled. His desk was a mess with parchments left unrolled, a broken quill discarded to the side. He had reread the same sentence three times but still couldn't understand a word of it.

His skin burned hot and cold at once. His shirt clung to his back with sweat, and yet, he shivered.

He hadn't been able to eat anything that morning. He'd woken up with a strange taste in his mouth, like metal and ash. Still, he waved it off. He was the king. He doesn't get sick. It was just impossible. Besides, he had more important things to worry about.

Like today's council meeting.

"Your Majesty."

Thorne looked up just as Caelum stepped into the office, brows furrowed when he laid eyes on Thorne.

"You look—" Caelum stopped himself, schooling his features. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine," Thorne said flatly, though his voice was hoarse. "It's just a bit of fatigue." The journey to and fro to the outer banks must've taken more energy from him than he realized.

Caelum didn't buy it for a second.

"Forgive my words, my king, but you don't look good. If you'd like, I can cancel the meeting and postpone it to a different day," he said, taking a step forward. "You're burning up. Pale. You need rest, my king."

Thorne shook his head. He doesn't get sick. He's a Lycan, for crying out loud. He cannot be sick. It was impossible. He was probably reacting to the stress.

"You'll do no such thing. The nobles are here and the councilmen too. I'll attend to my duties as required," he said as firmly as he could. "Elara?" he asked.

"She arrived late last night. The palace healer has checked on her and says she only needs rest. She'll be fine," he replied.

Thorne nodded and took a deep breath, feeling very tired.

"Tell Adina…" he started, his voice rougher now, lower, "Tell her to bring me some tea before the meeting. She knows which one."

Caelum nodded, "As you wish, my king. I think it's best you leave now. They're waiting for you," he said.

The hall was already filled when Thorne walked in. Voices hushed the moment he entered. The nobles stood, bowing their heads, the councilmen also bowed in greeting. Thorne's gaze flickered through them all, landing on the head councilman, Carter.

Carter glanced up at him like he knew Thorne was staring at him. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeper.

Thorne hummed, walking towards his chair.

From where Caelum stood, he watched Thorne carefully. The man looked more than tired now. It was confusing for Caelum. Thorne didn't get sick. It was unheard of that the king would be sick.

Thorne's usually strong gait was slower, stiffer, sweat beading on his forehead despite the coolness of the hall. Still, he held his chin high, ignoring the tremble in his limbs and the throbbing pulse behind his eyes.

Thorne cleared his throat as he settled down on his chair. "I'm sure you have all heard what happened with the former general Elara," he began.

They all hummed in chorus while nodding. "The former general has made some mistakes and we understand that, but we have to say, my king, is it necessary that she be banished?" a noble man piped up.

Thorne closed his eyes, he was cranky, getting tired of these men questioning his orders.

"Are you questioning my judgment, Daniel?" he asked, and the man stiffened.

"Never! My king. I apologize for my insensitive words," he replied, head bowed.

Thorne hummed, "Anyways, onto more concerning matters."

Discussions began. Land disputes. Trade shortages. Proposed changes to border patrols. He tried to focus, he truly did, but the words melted together. His vision blurred, and his stomach turned sharply.

It was getting more difficult by the second.

"—and with the recent attack in the southern border," someone said, "we must revisit the deployment of—"

The sound dulled, like he was underwater.

Caelum, standing to the side, noticed it first. Thorne's hand trembled where it rested on the table. His breathing was shallow. His lips had lost color.

He stepped closer, "My king, do you need a break? I can—"

The doors opened before he could finish, and Adina entered, holding a porcelain teacup on a small tray. She bowed to the councilmen and nobles and walked gracefully across the room, smiling gently when their eyes met, only for a second.

Thorne gave a small wave so the men would continue their conversation.

"Your tea, my king," Adina said quietly. He nodded faintly and reached for the cup with shaking fingers. She stepped closer to hand it to him, but he grasped her wrist, his hand burning hot.

"Stay," he said through the mindlink. "Just for a second."

Thorne shut his eyes for a second more as he brought the mug to his lips and took a sip.

"What do you say, your majesty? The idea that was just shared seemed to be the best that would work, or do you—"

Suddenly, Thorne jerked forward, his eyes wide, mouth open in a silent gasp. The teacup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

He staggered back, one hand clutching his chest, the other still holding Adina's wrist like he was anchoring himself. But then—

His legs gave out, and he fell.

"My King!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Thorne!"

Adina stood still, unable to move. Her eyes stuck on the unconscious body of the king as he's swarmed by the beta and councilmen.

"Get Thessara now!" Caelum barked out.

"Make space!"

"Lift him!"

"How could this have happened?"

"Oh gods of obsidian!"

Adina couldn't move. She was frozen even as some people rushed into the hall, even as Caelum carried the king out of the hall. She couldn't move.

Suddenly, she's grabbed by the arm, jerking her out of her frozen state. She blinked only to see the head councilman staring right at her, face pulled into the most nastiest scowl.

"You! What have you done to his majesty?"