Page 56 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

“The ritual has to be completed!” the white witches protest.

“And it will be,” the king responds sharply. “But not here. And not till she recovers. She looks half dead. I do not appreciate this. Take Miss Lane to her room now!”

Someone is picking me up, but I don’t know who it is. Jason’s face swims into my vision, and I use the last bit of my strength to whisper weakly to him, “Kill me. Please.”

His eyes soften, and I see the pity in them. “I can’t do that.”

My arm falls limply to my side.

I feel myself fading in and out of consciousness, my awareness declining. At some point, there’s a bed underneath me. A wet cloth is being rubbed gently across my face. I can hear someone sobbing.

Why?

Why waste tears on me?

I feel the warmth of healing magic, but it doesn’t have the impact on me that it usually does.

I’m relieved.

Mary’s voice is shaking. “Alice. You can’t give up. My healing magic isn’t going to work if you lose your will to live. Don’t do this.”

My eyes remain closed. Lose the will to live? That sounds about right.

I try to chase the darkness. I feel safe there.

I hear somebody crying softly, but it doesn’t bother me. Nothing bothers me. I can see the end approaching. It’s just a waiting game now. I’m tired of reality. I’m tired of having to face it all.

What is there to live for, anyway? I’ve been called a dark witch. I’m going to be branded like livestock. And I’m sure Darian has other plans to torture me. Why should I stick around for that?

The door creaks, and then I hear a familiar voice. “How is she doing?”

“She’s not—She’s in and out, Jason. I’m trying, but she doesn’t want to live.”

“There’s someone here to see her.”

Silence, and then Mary’s shocked voice. “Your Majesty! Why are you here?”

“I wish to have a word with Alice.”

The shock is followed by anger. “If you’re here about the branding, don’t bother.” Mary’s voice is thick with tears. “She doesn’t want to live. Look at her. Her body is rejecting my healing magic. I can’t force her to live. I made her come to the mating gathering. She didn’t even want to be here. This is all my fault. Everything is my fault. I told her that Darian—that he—”

“It’s not your fault, child. Please give me some time with Miss Lane. I wish to speak to her, even if she is unconscious.”

“Come, Mary.” Jason’s voice is firm. It feels like I’m floating in the room, but everything is dark. However, I can hear each and every word.

The door closes, and then the bed creaks. “This isn’t what I wanted for you.”

Why does the king sound regretful? He should be happy.

“I know you can hear me, Alice. Open your eyes. I can hear the shift in your heartbeat.”

Open my eyes? I can barely function.

“I don’t want you to give up.” His tone is hard now. “Your life isn’t over. I made a mistake once, and I will not repeat it. I want you to live, Alice. I want you to have a happy life. Your world hasn’t ended just yet. Your life has just begun.”

My eyes flutter open, but my vision is blurred. I can’t make out the king’s face, but I can see where he is.

There’s something I want to say to him, just one question I need to ask him.

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