Zeres' rugged breathing slowly settled. The pain was gone, and he was still very much alive. He felt the weight on top of him and his eyes widened.
He lifted his body up and held the woman who was slumped on him securely in his lap, both arms surrounding her. Fear etched on his face as he slid his hands to Alicia's shoulders, giving her a gentle shake. He won't forgive himself if the queen died because of him!
"Q-queen…" he uttered, praying that what she said earlier was true – not for his sake but for hers! That she could save him without sacrificing herself.
Fortunately, she was still breathing. Her chest still moved up and down slightly, showing that she was just knocked out from exhaustion. He let his tensed shoulders droop a little as the queen rested on his chest. A deep and long sigh of relief escaped his lips.
"Zeres." Someone called him and he looked up.
