Chapter 10 #2
I did a double-take when I saw myself in the mirror.
There was substantial bruising all over my face, especially under my right eye.
My lips had been scraped badly, looking awful and deformed, and a giant scab was forming on the bottom.
My chin was cut up and purple. My head was still wrapped, but at least the pounding headaches had stopped.
I didn’t even bother looking at the rest of my body. I knew it looked just as bad as everything else. I was just happy to wear underwear and clean clothes, even though I was in dire need of a shower.
Doctor Distefano was waiting for me when I stepped out of the restroom. “Good morning, Arax. I’d just like to go over some procedures with you before you leave. We’re just waiting on—ah, good morning.” He suddenly stood straighter, as did Annalee.
I turned around to see Konstantine walking in, looking stern and impassive. He said nothing to the three of us and came to stand next to me as the doctor proceeded to give me my discharge instructions.
“That bandage can come off tomorrow,” he said, pointing at my head.
“Therefore, no getting it wet, and no showering until it does.” I started to protest, but he quickly shut me down.
“I keep saying how lucky you were throughout all this, Arax. We didn’t have to shave that pretty hair off, and you had no broken bones.
You’ll survive another twenty-four hours without a shower.
I also recommend very minimal activity. You’re still healing.
Best to stay put and give your body every chance to recover.
Here are some medications for pain and swelling.
The directions are on the bottles. Make sure you follow them exactly.
I’ll see you in a week for a follow-up. Any questions? ”
I shook my head but was more than surprised when Konstantine spoke up.
“Any signs or symptoms we need to watch out for, or possible complications from the medication?” he asked quietly.
I looked up at him, shocked at his concern, but he avoided my gaze completely.
“The medication will make you drowsy, Arax,” Dr. Distefano answered.
“As far as signs and symptoms, bring her right back if she has severe nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or any pain besides the soreness she’ll undoubtedly feel now that she’s moving around again,” he told Konstantine, who nodded curtly.
“I’ll see you soon,” Dr. Distefano told me.
Another nurse walked in with a wheelchair, and Annalee helped me get in.
“Thank you for everything, Doctor, and thank you to you as well, Annalee.” I gave them a small smile.
“Take care of yourself,” they both replied, and after nodding respectfully to Konstantine, they left the room.
I was alone with him, and neither one of us said anything. I pretended to be fascinated with my wheelchair for a minute but then peeked up at Konstantine.
“You know, if you just lead the way, I can wheel myself there,” I said, half joking.
He looked down at me. “Do you have everything?”
I held up the bag of meds and nodded, but then my eyes fell on the vase with the jasmine. “Can I bring that with me?”
He stared at me for a moment. “I’ll have someone bring it up,” he replied and rolled me out of the hospital.
When the fresh air hit me, I took a deep breath.
It felt like ages since I had been outside.
For the beginning of spring, the weather was much warmer than I’d expected.
It was still morning, so the air was cool, crisp, and fragrant.
It was a beautiful day, and I was happy to feel sunshine on my skin again.
I was deep in thought when the wheelchair lurched suddenly, and I nearly toppled forward, had Konstantine not immediately grabbed my shoulders to steady me.
I winced in pain at his grip, but there was something else.
His fingers had brushed the bare skin on my arms, and I felt a such a warmth sweep over me.
It eased the aches and pains, and made me feel safe and protected. I looked up at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Did I hurt you?”
I shook my head and noticed the wheelchair had lost its front wheel. “I can walk,” I said, getting up.
He sighed and said, “Minimal activity.” He gently picked me up, bridal style, deliberately holding me away from his body.
Leaving the wheelchair where it was, he carried me the rest of the way.
He avoided eye contact, and I put my hands in my lap with my bag of meds and looked straight ahead.
I caught a faint scent of his cologne. It had the same smell of the familiar and was so incredibly soothing.
I drifted off to sleep in arms but was woken up a minute later when he told me we’d arrived.
We were already in my new room. I had missed seeing the exterior of the castle up close, but at least my room looked clean and comfortable. The bed looked inviting, and I realized I was exhausted all over again.
“Could you put me down, Konstantine?” I yawned sleepily at him.
He was still holding me and looked lost. His eyes were closed, and he seemed a million miles away. At the sound of my voice, he came back to the present and lowered me to my feet.
“Thanks,” I said.
“This will be your room,” he stated, and after a pause he continued. “If you must go outside, you’ll need to have a chaperone accompany you at all times.”
“You’re giving me a babysitter?” I asked.
“Chaperone,” he replied. “We are a private community. We don’t take too kindly to outsiders.”
“I see.” I shrugged. “Well if that’s the case, I’ll just stay in my room for the duration.”
“That would be preferred.” He nodded. “The staff will bring you your meals and some extra clothing. Drake will be available if you need anything else.”
I indicated that I understood, and he turned to leave.
“Konstantine?” I called before he could step out.
He didn’t turn around but instead lifted his head slightly in my direction. “Yes?”
“Why are you doing all this?” My curiosity had gotten the best of me.
His shoulders slightly tensed. “You were hurt on my property,” he said with an edge to his voice. “I’m obligated to make sure you are taken care of.”
Obligated, I thought. He’s only doing this out of a weird sense of duty. For some reason, this thought left me cold and empty. “Well, thanks,” I muttered.
He went to leave again and almost ran into Cyrus, who entered the room.
Cyrus’s eyes fell on me and narrowed. “You,” he said, rolling them.
“And you,” I replied, rolling mine harder.
He looked around the room. “Bet you’re glad you can use an actual bathroom now, huh?” he said, his eyes flashing.
My face heated, and I wondered if he’d told Konstantine about my unfortunate incident. I opened my mouth to tell him off, but a little girl no older than two or three ran in. She stopped when she saw me, and I held my tongue.
“Yes, I am. Thank you,” I replied instead, through gritted teeth.
Cyrus grinned.
“You’re pretty!” the little girl chirped excitedly.
“That’s very sweet, thank you. So are you,” I said to her.
I wondered who she was. She wasn’t just pretty.
She was extraordinary. Her hair was completely white, with not a hint of pigment, and her skin was equally pale.
And her eyes. One was blue, and the other, such a deep shade of dark brown, it was almost black.
I noticed a small scar on the side of her face. She was strikingly beautiful.
“My daughter, Eleni,” Cyrus stated.
“Hi, Eleni. I’m Arax.”
“What happened to your face, Roxie?” she asked.
“I got a little hurt,” I told her, chuckling at my new nickname.
“I got hurt too before,” she replied, pointing at her scar.
“Well,” I said to her with a smile. “I’m sure others have told you this already, but it makes you look tough!”
She giggled sweetly.
“Uncle K took care of me. Is he taking care of you too?” she asked.
“Who?” I replied, confused both at the question and how unusually well-spoken she was for such a little thing.
“Uncle K,” she said again, and to my surprise, she wrapped her arms around Konstantine’s leg and held on tightly. So Konstantine possibly had a sister… Or a brother, I thought.
I glanced up at him, and our eyes met briefly. I blushed and quickly turned back toward Eleni, hoping he hadn’t noticed.
“Yes,” I said to her with a grin. “Uncle K is taking care of me too.”
Cyrus laughed. “C’mon, Leni,” he said, leading her out of the room. “See you around… Roxie,” he called as he walked away.
Konstantine and I were alone once again.
“Do you need anything else?” he asked abruptly.
“I’m a little hungry,” I admitted, fiddling with the drawstring on my pants. I hadn’t eaten anything since my dinner the night before.
He paused. “I’ll let the staff know,” he said and started to leave.
“Thank you,” I replied, then feeling bold, I raised my voice to his retreating back. “Please don’t forget the flowers from the hospital!” And I quickly shut the door.