Princess Helena woke with the uneasy feeling that she was not alone. Her breath caught when she realized someone was sitting beside her bed. A familiar warmth brushed her scalp. Fingers combing gently through her hair, slow and careful, as though afraid to wake her. Her heart lurched.
"Henry?" she breathed, her voice breaking as she pushed herself upright, "Oh, Henry, you scared me..."
Prince Henry sat close, his expression soft, almost fond, his attention fixed entirely on her. Morning light spilled through the tall windows, pale and weak, casting long shadows across the chamber.
Then Helena noticed her clothes.
She was still wearing yesterday's dress, creased, rumpled, uncomfortable against her skin. Realization dawned, and she let out a small, embarrassed laugh, tucking her legs beneath her.
"I know," she said quickly, self-conscious, "I didn't change last night. I just… I couldn't sleep properly with Colin here. You really didn't think this through, dear brother." Her smile faltered as she glanced around the room. "Speaking of which, where is Colin?"
Prince Henry's gaze drifted toward the door, "Preparing your breakfast, I imagine."
Helena narrowed her eyes, "Did you dismiss my maids too?"
He did not answer.
The silence unsettled her.
She reached for him instinctively, her fingers closing around his hands. They were burning hot. Frowning, she lifted the back of her hand to his forehead.
Henry was burning.
"You're hot," she said sharply, "You have a fever."
"I'm fine," he replied at once.
"No, you're not." Her grip tightened, "You look exhausted. You need rest."
"I said I'm fine."
"Henry," she whispered, panic threading through her voice, "I need you now more than ever. Please, don't fall ill."
Her concern seemed to please him. His lips curved slightly, though something about the expression made her chest tighten.
The door creaked open.
Colin entered, carrying a silver tray laden with bread, fruit, and steaming tea, but Helena's eyes went straight past him.
Behind Colin stood Prince Henry. Very much alive. He was fully dressed, his dark hair neatly combed as if he had just left his own chambers. There was no sign of illness, only confusion written plainly across his face as his eyes moved from Colin to Helena, searching for an explanation he did not yet have.
The air left her lungs. Her gaze snapped back to the chair beside her bed.
It was empty.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs as her vision blurred. She struggled to swallow, her eyes darting between Colin… and Henry… and the space where someone had been sitting moments ago.
"Helena?" Prince Henry said, frowning, "Are you unwell?"
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Colin stepped forward, concern etched into his face, "Your Highness?"
"Stop!" Helena cried suddenly, her voice sharp and panicked as Henry moved toward her.
He froze.
"What is it?" Henry asked carefully, "What's wrong?"
Helena's hands shook as she turned to Colin, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Has he been with you this entire time?"
Colin blinked, thrown, "Yes, Your Highness. I encountered Prince Henry in the corridor while returning with your meal."
Henry stared at her now, unease creeping into his expression.
Helena's pulse roared in her ears. Slowly, she looked back at his brother's every detail, from his posture, his breathing, his eyes. Then she stepped backward and instinctively moved behind Colin.
Colin turned sharply toward her, "Did something happen while I was gone?"
Helena swallowed, her throat dry, "My brother was already here," she said faintly, "He was sitting beside me when I woke."
The room went still.
Henry's face drained of color. Sweat beaded at his temple.
Both he and Colin exchanged a single, heavy look, one laden with shared understanding and sudden fear.
"What did it do?" Henry demanded, anger flaring beneath the shock, "Did it touch you?"
Helena shook her head quickly, "Nothing else. You only… watched me. Touched my hair."
She hesitated, then added, barely audible, "But your body was burning. Your hands. Your forehead."
Both men made the sign of protection at once, murmuring hurried prayers under their breath.
Henry turned away, breathing hard.
"I won't allow this," he said, his voice trembling with fury, "I won't let them near you again."
Without another word, he stormed from the chamber.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Helena remained frozen, her arms wrapped around herself as Colin stood rigidly at her side, both of them staring at the empty space beside the bed where something else had been sitting.
Watching.