My return to consciousness isn't gradual; if anything, it's abrupt. And painful. I jerk awake with a cry. Every muscle, every bone in my arm, aches as if it's on fire. Moving it is impossible—I can't even move my fingers. At first, the pain blocks out everything else—my surroundings, my thoughts.

Then it lessens slightly, allowing rational thought to take over. I can't see a wound, but I know what happened. My father stabbed me. The realization shudders through my mind as well as my body. A warm, stable hand slides into mine, another settling on the small of my back. "I'm here, Laur. Breathe, honey. Slow, deep breaths."

Ethan's smooth, deep voice has always soothed me, and this time is no exception. With every passing second, my ragged breathing turns steady. I hear footsteps and Ethan's calm voice as he speaks to someone I can't see. "Ensure the castle is secure, and tell the guards to watch for him. Your primary objective is to inquire about the status of Princess Juliette and then report back to me. I'm taking Lauren to the infirmary."

The pain has spread throughout my whole body now, and I'm all but sobbing. I eventually meet Ethan's gaze, slowly realizing I'm in our suite. I know what he's thinking without him even saying a word. "Do it," I say, sounding more confident than I feel.

The look he gives me is full of apology and regret, but he doesn't waste a second. Swiftly sliding his arms underneath my back, he lifts me off the bed and into his arms. A scream shatters from my throat as the pain returns with a vengeance. I bury my head in his chest, clutching his shirt so hard my knuckles are white.

My entire arm, from shoulder to hand, is on fire, the flames licking at every bone and every muscle. My breathing is ragged as I struggle to stay conscious. Ethan's face keeps drifting in and out of focus as he runs to the infirmary, eyes filled with worry and love and pain. I want to tell him that it will be okay, that I love him, but I can't speak.

I don't even realize we've stopped until he speaks again, this time to someone I can't see—presumably a doctor. "Please help her. I—I did everything I could, but—" His voice breaks as emotion chokes him. I don't hear the response because suddenly, someone lifts me from his arms.

Confusion fills me at his words, but I can't find the breath to respond. I must black out because when I open my eyes again, I'm lying down, and Ethan's worried eyes stare down at me. His face is pale, his free hand clenched at his side. As he sees me open my eyes, the color slowly returns to his face.

I take a slow, deep breath, surprised to feel minimal pain. I try to look at my arm, but a thick, white bandage stretches from shoulder to hand. With a jolt, I realize what Ethan meant when he said he'd done all he could. He puts a soft hand on my cheek, releasing a shuddering breath. "When I saw you lying there, unconscious and bleeding—" His voice breaks off again, and he takes a steadying breath, trying to get his emotions under control.

Tears fill his eyes, spilling down his cheeks. In one swift movement, I push myself to a sitting position, ignoring the pain. He's immediately there to steady me, and I'm grateful. "What happened? Juliette—is she—" It's my turn to break off, breathing heavily.

He shakes his head, the tiniest spark of relief lighting his eyes. "She's okay. Her mother got her out safely. They wanted to stay with you, but I told them you would want them to be safe."

It's only when the words leave his mouth that the images come back to me, slowly and painfully. Arriving at Moonbright's castle, the guards bowing before opening the door, me taking all of a step before a meaty arm grabbed me around my waist.

I let out a choked sob, squeezing my eyes shut. "He was there—he ambushed me, pulled me into the castle before I could do anything. When he released me, when he spoke—" I break off again, my breathing ragged and unsteady.

Ethan puts a hand on my arm. "Take it slow, Laur. Your body needs to heal." The last word hasn't even left his mouth before familiar voices fill my ears, faint but getting louder with every second.

"Lauren? Where is she?" "Lauren! Are you okay?" My sisters burst through the door, worry and panic written on their faces. When their eyes land on my face, they immediately start sobbing. Before I realize it, I'm crying again, tears blurring my vision as I clutch my sisters.

Ethan stays silent by my side, a steadying hand on my back. When our tears finally subside, we break apart, and my sisters' eyes lock on my face. My throat tightens, grief smothering me. "I know who attacked me—who kidnapped Juliette." I break off to take a steadying breath and jump when I hear a knock on the door.

Mom bursts through the door just as my sisters had, her eyes filled with the same worry and panic on my sisters' faces and in their own eyes. When her eyes land on me, she lets out a sob, taking a tentative step toward me. "Lauren, honey—" She breaks off abruptly as Nicole puts a hand on her arm, stopping her in her tracks. The expression on my sister's face is one I've never seen before—dread.

My heart pounds in my chest as I open my mouth and try again. "I didn't know at first—until the man spoke."

Allie gasps, faltering. Mom catches her, but even she's unsteady on her feet. Nic's face is bloodless, her eyes staring blankly ahead. It's her coping mechanism—retreating into herself and shutting off her emotions. It's one I use frequently. Tears well in Mom's eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she stares at me.

The following words will forever alter our family. Yet, even as my heart pounds in my chest and my mouth goes dry, I feel relief knowing the truth will soon be out. Maybe then we can all start to heal.

I take a shuddering breath, then glance at Ethan. His gaze is calm and soothing as he squeezes my hand, that simple gesture saying more than words ever could. No matter what happens—now or in the future—he will always stand by me. Reluctantly tearing my gaze from his, I meet Nicole's eyes, then Allie's. Mom is last, and the agony in her eyes almost makes me break down.

"It was Dad."

Silence. A horrible, overwhelming silence descends over us. "I'm so sorry," I choke out. "He—he was going to kill Juliette. I tried to help her, but I wasn't fast enough."

Mom shakes her head, putting a gentle hand on my cheek. "Do not blame yourself, Lauren. The attack was not your fault. No one could have seen this coming." She pulls away to glance at Allie and Nicole, reassurance in her eyes. "From now on, there will be extra security patrolling the castle grounds at all times. Queen Adelaide told me they, too, have increased security following the attack."

"Have you heard any news of Juliette?" My breath catches on a sob as images float through my head. The fear and dread collide in my stomach, creating a painful knot.

Mom nods, taking a deep breath. "I got a letter from Queen Adelaide a little while ago. Juliette is resting, but she's going to be okay. She wouldn't speak about what had happened, but from what Queen Adelaide told me, she was pretty traumatized."

I can't get the sound of her scream out of my head. When Allie speaks, her voice is small and tentative. "Did he say anything to you?" The look in her eyes says she's afraid of the answer. I have to swallow hard and clear my throat before I can speak.

"'Long time no see, Laur.' That was when I arrived at the castle, barely stepping inside before he grabbed me." I have to bite back a cry as the memory of the searing agony resurfaces. It was like someone had shoved my arm into the fireplace.

A door slams somewhere in the castle, and I nearly jump out of my skin, using my arm to steady myself—my injured arm. I realize my mistake a heartbeat later as an ear-piercing scream rips from my throat. Ethan is there immediately, gripping my shoulders as I thrash in the bed, pain radiating through my body.

When it finally subsides, I'm pale and sweating. Ethan's voice, warm and soothing, breaks through the haze of pain that has settled over me. "You need to sleep, Laur. Everything's going to be okay."

Exhaustion begins to pull me under before the words even leave his mouth. Even though his face is calm when he speaks, I see through his words and expression. He doesn't believe them any more than I do. And that—more than Juliette and my father—terrifies me the most.

Read and review!