Chapter 93

~Richard

I was so torn as I watched him remove his shirt and sit down at the foot of Athena's bed as instructed by Nuella, waiting for the process to begin.

I tried to open my mouth and speak, but could not. I was dying inside with a mix of several emotions: anger, hatred, regret, and pain, the most palpable being pain.

It should be me sitting there in his stead, waiting to have the cold in Athena's body transferred into mine, but he had beaten me to it. I had fooled myself by thinking I could do anything I wanted as king.

When had he even planned it all? When had he colluded with the doctor to subdue me the way they had done? He was one step ahead of me again! I hated it whenever that happened!

My eyes stayed on him, taking in his strong and courageous frame. His face was set and focused as he waited for what was to come.

"Hold her hands in yours," Nuella instructed, and he instantly obeyed. Moving closer to Athena, he held her tiny frail hands in his large ones firmly.

"Now close y