Leon didn't remember the forest ground being this comfortable. Nor this soft. Nor this warm.

His mind slowly shed the cobwebs of unconsciousness. He peeled his eyes open.

The engraved white ceiling was familiar. It took him a second to realize he was in his bedroom in the castle.

The light coming through the windows and balcony doors painted the paneled walls a hundred shades of copper. Sunset.

Small movement by his side. He turned his head and eyed the small bundle of warmth pressed against him. His son's wide blue eyes stared back from a pale face. A rock the weight of a mountain lifted off Leon's heart.

"Hey, son," he croaked out.

Ari's eyes watered and he pressed his face against Leon's shoulder. Despite his aching bones, Leon hugged him, running his hand over Ari's precious head. Oh, how he'd missed him.

"I'm sorry, Ari. I'm so sorry."

Ari had watched his mother die. Having his father return unconscious and half dead must have been too much for him.

His little body shook with quiet sobs. Leon treasured these moments with him. Ever since Ria's death, Ari never uttered a word, and he rarely, if ever, showed his emotions. His silence and indifference had been driving Leon to insanity.

This display of affection was a welcome change, even if it was difficult to bear. At least he knew his son still cared about him.

"I'm sure he misses you."

Summer's words resonated in his head. She'd been right.

He was in the capital. He vaguely remembered the journey back. His last clear recollection was Summer's pale face after he had beaten that man to death.

He remembered perfectly how he woke up to the realization that someone was trying to remove the bushes concealing the shelter. He'd waited in silence, thinking he would probably die but would take them with him. Then Summer had drawn their attention away. She had saved his life, most likely more times than he could remember.

Ari suddenly froze. He drew away from him, rubbed his face with the sleeve of his dark tunic and sat up. Leon sighed. It was good while it lasted.

Leon's body was too heavy. Fortunately, a service bell sat right next to his pillow. The chime of the bell filled the room. A second later, Logan opened the door.

Leon's valet looked immaculately put together, as always. The lines of his blue uniform crisp, every strand of dark blond hair slicked in place. His face, however, was that of a man waiting on his mother's death bed.

He met Leon's gaze, and the relief in his eyes was palpable. His shoulders slumped. It only lasted for a moment before the drawn expression cleared up. He stood straight, regaining his familiar composure.

"Your highness." Logan bowed. He looked through the doorway to the servant awaiting orders. "Call for the physician, his highness has regained consciousness."

The servant scurried away. Leon tried sitting up. Every inch of his body was in pain.

"How long have I been out, Logan?" Leon asked as Logan rushed forward, fluffed his pillows and helped him sit up. He knew Leon didn't like being fussed over. But Leon sensed the man needed to do something. Logan had a habit of blaming himself for every ailment Leon suffered.

"Three days, your highness." Logan hovered after giving Leon water to drink.

"Three days," Leon murmured.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, hoping the room would stop spinning. He was aware of Ari's intense gaze catching his every move. So he had to look stronger than he felt for his son's sake.

"The lady who was with me," Leon said, "where is she staying?"

She hadn't looked well the last time he'd seen her. But Summer was resilient.

Logan didn't answer. Leon opened his eyes. "Logan?"

The valet frowned. "There was no lady, your highness. You were brought into the castle alone with your escort of guards."

A nagging suspicion twisted Leon's guts. "Where's Al? Ida?"

"Shall I summon them?"

"Yes."

Logan bowed and hurried out.

"What have you been up to?" Leon asked Ari. As soon as he looked at him, Ari averted his gaze. As expected.

Ari jumped off the bed and dashed out. Leon stared at the empty doorway long after he was gone. He had to start working on his relationship with his son. This incident showed Leon that Ari still cared. There was still hope. He just needed to find a way to his son's heart.

He'd deal with Summer first, and give his son some space.

Al's right cheek was colored green and purple. He walked into the room followed by Ida. Their relief was plain on their faces. What was more plain was Al's pinched lips and Ida's thunderous look. Something was wrong.

Logan closed the door and stood next to it.

"What is it?" he asked outright.

Ida crossed her arms and stared pointedly at Al. He avoided her gaze. He must be feeling guilty about something. Something that made Ida mad at him. It clicked.

"Where's Summer?" Leon asked slowly. "Al?"

"She's under lock," he said.

"She's in a damn cell, that's where she is!" Ida exploded, her fists closed at her sides.

"Why?" Leon rubbed his face. "Why would you put her in a cell?"

"I didn't. Matt did. He's responsible for the investigation and she's a suspect," Al replied.

"You could've at least made sure she wasn't kept in a cell," Leon said through gritted teeth. He had promised her and he broke his promise.

Al stayed silent. Ida threw her hands up. "She's been there for three days. On the first day, four juniors from the academy broke in and beat her up. Felix fixed her, but she's in bad shape. And he," she spat, pointing at Al, "he had the authority to get her out of there, at least to an infirmary where she would be comfortable."

"What were you expecting me to do?" Al glared at her. "One of those thugs recognized her. She's got the skills of an assassin. And she was found with a sword in her hand over his half-dead body! I'm not going to let her out because I feel that she's innocent."

As soon as he uttered the f word, Ida's face snapped shut. She took a step forward. Leon knew that look. Al was dead meat. But they didn't have the time to argue. Summer was in a damn cell, beaten up, while he was taking a damn nap.

"Enough!" Leon roared. His pain was buried beneath a deep sea of red fury. He pulled the sheets off and swung his feet off the bed. Ida turned her back to him for privacy.

"Logan, my clothes."

Logan would have politely protested that Leon needed rest. But one look at Leon's coldly enraged face had him moving to the dressing room.

"Where are you going?" Al asked.

Leon looked at him. He would deal with him later. "I'm going to get her out of prison."

"You're not in a state-"

"Not another word, Al," Leon said. She had taken care of him when she, herself, was injured and hurting. He would damn well find the strength to get her out.

He could've ordered Al or Ida to do it. He could've ordered anyone to do it. But he needed to send a message to anyone watching: Summer was under his protection and he would personally deal with any threat to her.

The very thought that Al suspected Summer had tried killing Leon made his blood boil.

Logan, Al and Ida followed him after he made his way out of his rooms. Leon lived in his own wing in the castle, where his bedroom, a study, a morning room and a dining area occupied two floors. Ari had his own suite nearby. Al and Ida, his personal guards, lived in an adjoining suite.

The hallways outside his wing were populated by servants and people of various occupations going about their affairs.

Leon didn't stop to greet anyone. His legs were holding him upright through teeth-gritting control. Sweat already dampened his brows. But his anger trumped the pain.

"Logan, prepare a room in my personal guards' suite. Have a maid assigned to it."

"Yes, your highness," Logan replied, rushing to keep pace with him.

"And have Felix called there immediately."

"Yes, your highness," Logan said. He bowed and turned right while Leon and the others descended the stairs.

The castle was built on a hill, with balance between sturdiness and aesthetics in mind. The reinforced heavy gray rocks made its walls almost impossible to penetrate. High towers and curtain walls made out the outer perimeter. Another structure mirroring the outer perimeter was built on higher ground. Then there were several structures that served as training grounds and military headquarters. The main keep was built on the very top of the hill, with another fortified perimeter; towers and high walls. With three lines of defense and a high vantage point, it was a veritable fortress.

Leon's favorite thing about it was the panoramic view of the Capital all around it. But it was the last thing on his mind as he strode out of the main keep.

""Where is she held?" Leon asked.

"The South tower," Ida answered.

Their horses waited for them, saddled and ready. Leon usually preferred making the long walk by foot. But he was too wounded for that. Logan must've instructed his ride to be prepared.

Leon pulled himself up to his horse, making sure his discomfort didn't show. The pale walls of the castle glowed under the sunset, the inner gardens as lush and prospering as Leon recalled.

One gate after the other opened for them. The south tower was on the second boundary. The castle grounds boasted several prison cells located mainly in outer structures, others in underground dungeons.

They rode past the training grounds of the military academy. At this time of the day, all students, guards and military instructors were out and about. Good. It would make the news travel faster.

Leon left his horse by the tower entrance and went in. Every guard he walked past straightened. Ida led the way since she had visited Summer before. By the time Leon braved the endless winding stairs, his side and back were on fire.

"Your highness," the guard patrolling the hallway looked surprised. He followed after them until Ida stopped in front of a metal door.

"Open," she said. The guard unlocked the door and stepped aside, looking a little green. Leon walked in and squinted. The cell was dark and colorless. A cot pushed to one corner. A basin in the other. A half eaten piece of bread was on the floor next to the bed, along with an empty cup and bowl.

Summer slept curled, as she always did. As he approached, he noticed her body lines were stiff. She wasn't asleep. And if anyone made a move towards her, she was ready to pounce.

"Summer," Ida said.

Summer turned her head, saw them and sat up with great difficulty. Leon locked his jaw. The right side of her face was a giant bruise, a mess of green and blue and yellow. Her eye was swollen shut, her lip split. The uncolored parts of her face were so pale, Leon doubted she still had any blood left in her.

Al was frozen beside him. He was probably seeing her for the first time.

"Oh, would you look at you? You're actually alive," Summer told Leon, her smile lopsided. Whe managed to look down at him while sitting down.

"I apologize," Leon said. "I wasn't conscious. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. Can you walk?"

She glanced at Al but nodded. "Sure."

She stood up slowly. She was dressed in a gray uniform, dotted with blood and dirt. Ida stayed close by, quietly ready to assist her. But Summer stood on her own. "Are we getting out of here?"

"Yes."

"Good." She looked around the room one last time. "Their accommodations are terrible. I much prefer the inn at Midcreek."