Chapter 39: Whatever will you do, Soren
"How dare you?"
Alistair barely had time to turn before a fist connected with his jaw.
The impact sent him staggering sideways. Pain exploded through his skull as he hit the ground, the taste of copper flooding his mouth. He looked up to see Soren standing over him, his chest heaving and his fist clenched at his side..
"I know you shot that fucking arrow... how dare you harm the prince?" Soren towered over him, anger singing in his veins.
Alistair spat blood onto the floor and pushed himself upright, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I told you I had a plan." he said flatly.
"A plan?" Soren’s hand shot out, grabbing Alistair by the collar and yanking him forward until their faces were inches apart. "That was not a plan, that was madness. A poisoned arrow, Alistair? You shot my... the prince with a poisoned arrow and all for what?"
"I understand how this must be for you but he is not going to die, Soren. Now get your hands off me"
Soren’s fists tightened around his collar.
"You had no right endangering his life for whatever sick venture you are pursuing."
"You told me to befriend him, Soren." Alistair said simply, holding Soren’ gaze. "This is my way of befriending him. I know exactly what I am doing. The poison was measured and I have the antidote nearly ready. Cassian will be awake before dawn and he will be unharmed. You have nothing to worry about."
"You have some fucking nerve." Soren snapped, punching Alistair in the face.
This time, blood flowed freely from his nose.
"I have half a mind to kill you myself." Soren’s voice shook. "To drag your body to the border and leave you for the crows."
Alistair straightened slowly, dabbing at his nose with his sleeve.
He tsked like he was speaking to a child that had disappointed him somehow.
"Cassian was never in real danger. The arrow was placed where it would do the most damage without striking anything vital. The poison was meant to induce unconsciousness and not death. I needed him incapacitated so I could establish myself as his savior, that is all. You need to get yourself together, Beta. Everything is proceeding exactly as intended"
Soren stepped forward, ready to land another punch to Alistair’s face but his hands stopped mid air when the healing chambers creaked open.
Both men turned to see Damon standing in the doorway, his eyes moving from Alistair’s bloodied face to Soren’s clenched fists.
"Is everything okay in here?"
Soren stepped back from Alistair, smoothing his tunic and plastering a smile on his face that did not reach his eyes.
"Everything is fine, Damon," he said, his voice even. "Alistair and I were simply discussing the treatment plan for your brother."
Damon’s eyes narrowed. He looked at Alistair and the blood still dripping from his nose.
"You look like you have been discussing more than that." He noted.
"Oh, it is nothing..." Soren began.
"I am afraid I tripped." Alistair offered a sheepish grin, wiping at his face with his sleeve. "Clumsy of me. I have been so focused on the antidote that I forgot to watch where I was stepping. Soren here has been the greatest help. I have no idea how I would have navigated all of this without him."
Soren’s jaw tightened but he said nothing.
Damon studied them both for a long moment.
He was not buying a word they were saying and he recognized this time. The man who had had his hands on Ayla that one time.
So he was a healer?
Damon stepped into the chambers, closing the door behind him.
"How are you holding up, Damon?" Soren asked, trying to fill the silence.
"What do you mean?"
"You know with everything that has happened and now Cassian shot..."
"Oh" Damon frowned. "Why are you concerned about that? I am not the one laying in the bed, unconscious."
"Of course, you aren’t" Soren grimaced, unsure of what else to say.
"I am as fine as I can be, Soren. Thank you for asking." Damon said.
Soren nodded, a smile gracing his lips.
Damon cast him a very puzzled glance before turning to Alistair.
"I hear you are the one I should thank for saving my brother’s life."
Alistair bowed his head. "I only did what any healer would do, my lord and I am honored to serve"
Damon studied him for a moment, then added, "I also think I should apologize. The other day, when I saw you with Ayla... I may have misunderstood the situation."
Alistair’s eyebrows rose. "Oh?"
"Yes. She told me you were just talking, but it seemed to me like you were harassing her and I may have overreacted."
Alistair let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You were right to be protective, my lord. Ayla is your mate. Any man would be wary of a stranger speaking to her in the shadows. I should have chosen a better time and place to introduce myself. I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression."
"You say you were introducing yourself... why?"
"Alistair blinked.
"I’m sorry?"
"Why were you introducing yourself to Ayla? Why would you need to do that?"
"Ah.. I only thought it was necessary considering how important she is in your household." Alistair said.
Damon nodded slowly.
"Did you now?"
Alistair smiled, his heart hammering in his chest.
So Damon was going to be a problem to him? Who would have thought? Here he was thinking the man was a little fool whose only problem was chasing after women.
"When will my brother wake?" Damon asked, changing the topic.
Alistair let out a breath of relief, his shoulder sagging.
"The antidote is still brewing." He gestured toward the mortar and pestle on the worktable. "I should have it ready within the hour. Once administered, he should regain consciousness by morning. He will be weak for a few days, but he will recover fully."
"Good. That is good." Damon said. "Well then, I will leave you to it."
He turned toward the door, his hand on the handle before Soren’s voice stopped him.
"Damon."
He turned, his brow furrowed. "Yes?"
Soren hesitated before he said.
"Hang in there."
Damon’s frown deepened but he nodded in acknowledgment before he left.
"Hang in there? Really?"
Soren’s hands curled into fists at his sides, his gaze meeting Alistair’s amused ones.
"Shut your fucking mouth."
Alistair chuckled at this.
"Oh Soren, I wonder how you plan to prove your worthiness to the princes when all of this blows over. Whatever will do you when they realize who you truly are."