Chapter VXII

Ellean gripped the bars as she stood on her feet. She couldn't feel anything right now, but she hoped that she would eventually start to get feeling back in her lower body. Sweat dripped down Ellean's face as her fingers curled tightly around the bars. She had just begun the physical therapy, and Ellean was determined to stick with it.

The Doctor stood to the side and oversaw her therapy; he wasn't about to let something happen to the Crown Prince's Consort. It would be all their heads.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Doctor Raf turns his head, bows his head when he sees Xavier.

"Your Highness."

Xavier pauses beside Raf, folding his arms as he watches Ellean.

"Stubborn little thing, isn't she?"

Raf pushes his glasses up, smiling slightly. "Yes, Your Highness, I believe that gives her strength, the stubbornness that runs through her veins."

Xavier watches for a bit longer before turning to walk out. "Raf, don't let her push herself too much. It's going to take a while before she's healed."

Raf nods as he watches Xavier walk away. He could see that Xavier cared deeply for his consort. Whispers had been going around the clan as they found out about Ellean. Everyone had honestly thought the Crown Prince would never find his bond-mate and end up just taking a mate.

Of course, everyone wanted to celebrate, but when Xavier had said that she was still healing and didn't think Ellean would feel comfortable with all those people around, the clan decided to let it go for now.

Ellean's legs shook more rigid as she stood there; she was more than ready to sit down. The nurse rolled the wheelchair behind her, helping Ellean to sit down, praising her, signing.

"You did great. We will see you tomorrow."

Ellean nods wearily as she rolls herself out of the room, thankful to get away from the torture.

Slowly rolling herself to Xavier's room, Ellean sighs as the guard pushes the door open for her. She was bored and hungry. But there wasn't anything for her to do in Xavier's room.

"Ellean?"

Ellean's head jerks up as she hears Xavier's voice in her mind.

"Yes?"

"I have a surprise for you; I will be right there."

"I'll be here waiting."

Ellean folds her hands in her lap, waiting patiently for Xavier to fetch her.

Seeing the door open, she smiles slightly. Ellean had gotten used to seeing Xavier around now that she stayed in his room. She recognized his scent anywhere.

Xavier smiles as he moves towards the petite figure waiting on him. She had improved by leaps and bounds these few weeks, and he chalked it up to being near him. The bond worked both ways, making things easier but, on the other hand, just as tricky.

Leaning over to smile into Ellean's eyes, Xavier brushes his lips over her forehead, causing her to freeze momentarily.

"Are you ready to see your surprise?"

Ellean nods as Xavier pushes her out of the room. Anything was better than sitting in a room with the same four walls. Some days Ellean felt like she would go crazy being in the same room day after day.

Coming to a gold-plated room, Xavier nods to the guard standing outside of it. As the guard pushes the door open, Ellean's eyes widen. It was a room full of books. She was in heaven.

Tilting her head back to look up at Xavier, she smiles widely as he grins down at her.

"You like it?"

Ellean nods excitedly as she looks around. It was wonderful to be in here. She could spend hours upon hours in here and never run out of books to read.

A squeak leaves Ellean's lips when Xavier picks her up, carrying her to a window seat.

"I will bring you some books to read. Relax and enjoy."

Ellean watches with eager eyes as Xavier brings her a few books to read. Then, snatching them out of his hands, she settles down to read, pushing him and the rest of the world out of her mind.

Xavier chuckles softly, walking away to leave Ellean in her own little world. He had things to attend to, and he knew she would be safe here. Xavier needed to deal with her old clan, and he had a few ideas on how that would work.