From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Elara

My maidens didn’t take long to appear once they learned of my arrival, eager to obtain any information I might want to give them. Instead, they found a version of me that was frightened and with trembling fingers.

I didn’t tell them anything substantial, and when they saw the wound on my wrist, they didn’t want to know anything either. They tended to me as best as they could, tucked me into bed, and left me to rest.

I’ve slept through the rest of the night and most of the day and only woke up because, just as the last ray of sunlight disappeared, a man with graying hair and angular features burst into my room. He is currently injecting something into my arm, I believe I heard him say it was a vitamin serum. Narkissa, whom I can’t bring myself to look in the face, is right by his side, checking everything he does–probably to report it to Cassian, who, by the way, hasn’t even bothered to see how I am. Since this is his fault, it would’ve been a nice gesture on his part, but what did I expect? It’s clear he doesn’t feel even the slightest bit responsible.

“I honestly don’t understand why our saliva isn’t working on her,” the doctor–vampire, to no one’s surprise–comments. “Do you suffer from any blood–related illness? Hemophilia, perhaps?”

I shake my head firmly.

“No, nothing like that.”

“There was no record of any disease in her Libris,” adds Narkissa with a harsh tone. “She should coagulate just like a healthy human would. The problem is Cassian went overboard with the cut, thinking his saliva would heal her, and it didn’t.”

Yes, I’m very aware of that. Last night I lost a more than considerable amount of blood, and the doctor had to suture the wound. It’s very likely I’ll be left with a rather ugly scar.

“Tell your lord to refrain from doing things like this for the time being.” He closes his briefcase and stands up, smoothing the lapels of his coat. “I’ll return in a few days when she’s better and will take a sample of her blood. The answer is undoubtedly there.”

“Perfect, doctor.”

Narkissa escorts him out of the room, and only a few minutes later she reappears in my chambers with an unfriendly expression. The fireplace, for the first time since I arrived, is lit and warming the room. She kneels before it, her back to me, and a long time passes before she speaks.

“Because of you, the others now think Cassian is weakened, that his powers have diminished.”

I try to sit up in bed as best I can, since being comfortably laid down while accusations are hurled at me doesn’t seem ideal.

“Because of me?” I reply, confused. “Maybe he should be less brutish. I told him not to do it, he didn’t listen, so now he can face the consequences of his actions. Besides, I think you’re all exaggerating a bit.”

“The healing ability of our saliva is the most basic of our traits; the fact that it’s failing is ridiculous.” She turns, half her face bathed in firelight, the other in shadow. “And especially for someone like Cassian, his power is so great it surpasses all of us.”

“He killed that girl with a simple flick of his hand, isn’t that proof enough that his powers are intact?”

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Chapter 28

A low snort escapes her lips.

“Maybe, but maybe not.” She turns completely and throws me a scornful, reproachful look. “Don’t shame my lord again, or I’ll be the one to make you pay for it.”

My eyes widen in surprise, unable to believe what I’m hearing. In the end, the blame always falls on the one with the least power. It seems very hard to accept that all this is simply a foolishness they’re blowing out of proportion, and that, if I may say so, could’ve been avoided if a certain person were less of an animal and more respectful. I study her face as I stay silent and see more than anger in her eyes–I see pain. Like pieces of a puzzle fitting together in my mind, everything becomes

clear.

“I see what this is all about,” I say quietly. “You’re in love with him.”

“Of course not!”

From here, I can see her fists clenched. Her jaw tightens as she grinds her teeth.

“Oh yes, you are.” For some reason, I find myself smiling with a hint of compassion. “Look at how you react, of course you’re in love with him. You’re attacking me to avoid seeing what he’s done,” I proceed cautiously. “Narkissa, he doesn’t need you to defend him or threaten me. He’s more than capable on his own. What’s really happening is that you’re angry with me for other reasons, and I assure you, you don’t have to be.”

“Don’t speak nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense. It’s the truth. And if I may say, I don’t think he deserves you. If he respected you, he wouldn’t have paraded you around last night as if you were just another in his string of conquests.”

E

“What do you know about us?” She slams her hand on the fireplace, and I think I see the stone crack. “Besides, a prude like you has no idea how sex works.”

“But I do know how respect works.”

Her face, of exquisite beauty, is grotesquely transformed by rage. I see in her the intent to lunge at me and hurt me; however, something seems to make her change her mind. She retracts her fangs, which had begun to show, and with a sharp turn, disappears from my room. I bring my hand to my chest and let out a deep sigh.

“Little beast, don’t meddle in my bedroom affairs, although I’m glad to know a prude like you noticed my performance last night.”

I growl inside my head, hoping she hears that too. Sometimes I forget about the sharp hearing these creatures have. With them, there’s not much one would call privacy, I roll over on the plush mattress, rest my hands under my chin and focus on falling asleep again; that’s all I feel like doing. Any movement feels like climbing a steep mountain–it leaves me exhausted and breathless.

I toss and turn on the mattress, unable to sleep. I try everything: counting sheep, squeezing my eyes shut, focusing on my breathing until it calms. Anything to help me sleep. I end up letting out a furious growl when I see it’s a lost cause. I sit up again on the bed and right in front of me stands a nearly naked woman, her breasts covered only by the length of her hair. The scream of surprise gets stuck in my throat.

For a moment, I think it’s Narkissa, but I quickly discard the thought. The shadows don’t let me see her face clearly. The orange glow of the flames outlines her figure, and I could swear she’s watching me with the curious gaze of a feline, slightly tilting her head, examining, evaluating the helpless human in front of her, ready to torment me.

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