Warmth
Adea
My body was riddled with bruises, but it hurt even more than it looked. One second my eyes were open, the next they were closed. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to move, it hurt to think. It hurt just to grasp the sheets, but I did and I held on. I couldn’t get up, my body hurt, I was in so much pain.
Light filtered through the room, warmth surrounded me and I sobbed. I don’t want to feel this, I don’t want to leave my bed of hard cold stone. I prayed for the darkness to take me out again, but it didn’t. Instead, a warm liquid caused me blink, a layer of fog lifted from my eyes. The warmth filled between my legs and continued to seep around me. I whimpered, but didn’t move. I smiled.
Is this how I leave this world?
This is how the Moon Goddess punishes me after my thoughts last night.
Releasing the bed sheets, I reached down and spread my legs. I flinched and watched as the blood spread. I reached out and wiped it, I continued to wipe it until my fingers were covered. I gripped the bed and with everything I had, I pulled myself up so that I was leaning against the bed. I blinked and the fog was gone, I was present again. I opened my mouth and called for someone, but no one came.
I don’t know how long I sat there, wiping away the blood, pushing it away from me. It continued to pour from me until my fingers trembled and my legs shook. I could see the sun, could see the light as it danced around me, but I couldn’t feel it. I couldn’t feel anything.
The door swung open and someone was screaming. Nicole saw me and I watched as her lips moved. I couldn’t hear her, I couldn’t make out what she was saying. She slapped the other woman who abruptly stopped screaming. Nicole rushed toward me while she spoke frantically to the other woman. She nodded and ran toward the tub while Nicole dropped to her knees beside me. I looked up at her as she whispered soothing words. She felt my head and checked me over as tears filled her eyes. She was a rock in the darkest of storms.
Her eyes went milky as she linked the alpha. She touched my cheek while another woman grabbed my arm gently. They were being so careful with me. I must look as bad as I feel. Instead of crying, I smiled at her as Nicole grabbed my other arm. They held onto me tightly and lifted me to my feet. I wheezed as I inhaled and exhaled. A silent cry died on my lips as I took a step, followed by another. Nicole ignored her tears as he helped me toward the tub.
A trail of blood followed behind me as we reached the tub. Steam rose from the bath and I smiled at the woman who had filled it. I couldn’t lift my leg, so she reached and helped me lift my leg so I could step into the tub. My body cried out at the heat that surrounded my body as I put both feet inside.
A warm hand on my back helped lower me. I sighed as my body was engulfed by hot water. I relaxed into it, the ache in my body still there. It wasn’t until I was in the tub that I recognized one of the other woman in the room as Beka. The one who didn’t like me much was staring at me with pity. Quickly, she looked away as our gaze locked. I got bits and pieces of what they said as they washed me gently.
It’s okay…
… the doctor….
…the blood loss…
Alpha…
“Please, excuse me, Luna,” Nicole whispers.
I don’t move from her as she reaches for my face. She holds it gently with one hand and presses a warm cloth to it with the other. It stings where she dabs, but I don’t protest. I stared forward and looked out the window. The morning mist has begun to lift. The door bangs open and I flinched away from the sound.
I refused to look away from the view, I stayed still, and quiet. I already knew who it was. There was no one else who would dare. Why had he come here? After what he did to me yesterday, did a little bit of blood really scare him?
His presence was by my side and the handmaidens bowed and took a step back from me. They didn’t look at him as he cowered over me. Another set of footsteps followed close behind him.
I don’t say a word as the other person steps up to the tub. He doesn’t move, just stands there. Turning from the window, I look up and find James standing by my side. I want to reach out and grasp his hand. I want to cry and beg for his help, beg for him to help me like he said he could. As much as I want to, I don’t. Alpha is here and I don’t want to get the young doctor killed.
“It is as we feared,” James said.
“How can you know without seeing?” Alpha asked.
“I can smell the blood, the loss, the death. If you give me permission to touch her, I can check her wrist,” James said.
“And what will you be checking for?” Alpha growled.
“If there are two heartbeats, or just one,” James answered.
“How did you miss this?” Alpha asked.
“It must have been too early to tell. I will need to look over her when she has bathed. To ensure that her… other injuries aren’t deadly,” James said.
“Fine. While you’re at it, double check,” Alpha ordered.
“Yes, Alpha Ethan,” James said with a dip of his chin.
Alpha turned on his heel and walked toward the door. I didn’t look at him and I didn’t watch him leave. I heard his footsteps stop before departing from the room. It mattered not how he felt. I just wanted him to leave. When his footsteps left the room, I let out a breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding. There was no apologies, no kind touches, not a single word directed toward me.
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