A SPOONFUL OF warm broth was placed in my mouth. I swallowed it, allowing the warmth to course through me. “Are you feeling any better, your highness?” Dr. Wyndsdor said. I nodded, not wanting to speak. After a beat of silence, my eyes remained closed, but I spoke. “How is Hana?” “Uh…” he hesitated, “she’s still recovering. There’s a lot on her shoulders right now.” Hana? No. She’s strong. “What do you mean?” my eyes flew open. “I’m not sure.” “I have to see her!” I sat up, instantly deploring it. “You’re not ready for that yet! Nor is she!” “I have to see her!” He pushed me back on the bed. “You can’t. Doctor’s orders.” “She needs me!” “I’ll let you go in two days, but you still have to be careful. In the meantime, rest as much as you can. You can go out every two days. I don’t care if you have ‘meetings’ to attend, your health is more important.” I relaxed. Only two days. You can survive two days. I knocked on the door of the room Dr. Wyndsdor had told me Hana was in. “Hana?” I whispered. “What do you need?” she called from inside. Tears were on the edge of her voice, making it sound like she had lost it. “It’s me, Louie.” The door opened. “Come in,” she whispered. I stepped closer to her, wrapping my hands around her waist. She kept her eyes down. “What’s wrong?” I whispered gently. “Father…” she trailed off. I lifted her chin up gently. “What happened?” She burst into tears, burying her face into my chest, soaking my tunic. I stroked her hair. “It’ll be okay.” Hana nodded. “I know,” she whispered. I sighed, content. She took a shaky breath and lifted her eyes to mine. “I’ve missed you.” I smiled, not caring that my middle was aching. “I’ve missed you too,” I said, and kissed her. She clung to me, her hands trembling as she kissed me back. I pulled away from her, confused at her tears from before. “What happened to your father?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” I gave her a look. If we are going to be trusting each other, you have to tell me. Taking a deep breath, she explained. My eyebrows furrowed, relaxing in concern when she had finished. “I’m so sorry!” I wrapped my arms around her again, holding her in a long embrace. “It’s not your fault. He was shot anyway.” I growled. Albannanise fools! “Are you okay?” I nodded, despite the sweltering torment coming from my gash. She relaxed. “Good.” “Are you allowed out of your room yet?” “Yes. I’ve been allowed for a few days.” “Why didn’t you come out then? I’ve been needing someone to talk to, in my room all alone.” “Don’t you have Maeryn?” “She ran off with Peter, plus, she was rather dull company.” Her eyes flew to mine. “I know. But why?” “They’re betrothed.” “Peter?” “Yes, didn’t you know he’s a jerk?” “I guess so,” she said. “Come to think of it, he did kidnap me.” “What?! I’m going to punish him the next family reunion—” Hana winced. “Don’t hurt him! He was only trying to get his betrothed back.” “I wasn’t going to.” “What do you mean, ‘family reunion’?” “I thought I told you. He’s my cousin.” “Which would mean Kieser…” “Yes. Kieser is my uncle.” She shook her head, pulling herself out of my arms. “The king of the enemy country is your uncle. Unbelievable.” I grinned. “I know. It’s weird to be fighting a relative.” “Is the war over?” I sighed. “I don’t know, honey.” Where did that come from? “Honey?” “Sorry, I meant Hana,” I blushed. She smiled and stepped closer to me again. “I like it just the same.” I ducked my head and kissed her again.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK I'm soooo close to being done! REALLY. I hope to be done with draft #1 by Tuesday. (April 27th I think?) It makes sense, I just haven't been caught up with sharing my chapters on scratch :P Hehe Which do you like better: (Zarola + Braden) or (Hana + Louie)? I'm personally on the Zarola + Braden route. WILL SOMEBODY COME UP WITH A SHIP NAME FOR BOTH OF THESE?? -OReO
