The Princess and I

Chapter XXXI: Recovery

Everything happened so fast and half of which I cannot remember at all. I remember Liam returning to us before the doctor arrived, his clothes torn apart and his knuckles bleeding. I remember holding Christina, until a doctor arrived who carried my love away from me while Liam held me back from getting to her. I remember returning in haste to Arlington Park with Liam, where my endless watch over Christina began after we discovered that she was still alive. But barely... Over all I remember the constant fear of Christina dying on me. I cried. I prayed. And then I cried again.

Sometimes I had a silent companion keeping watch with me, but overall I was the one trusted with taking care of Christina. While others brought me food and drinks or blankets to keep me warm, I refused to relieve my burden. I would suffer as my love would, since I was the one responsible for her agony. I wanted to go to the Docks. I led her to the fight. And I can only hope I have not led her to her death.

I lay down my head on her cold hand, which I have been holding for many hours now. I fear to let go of her, afraid that my hand forms the last tie to this world and by letting her go I will condemn her to death. I start to cry again, but I know my tears will not bring life back to her. There's nothing I can do but wait. Wait till Christina finds the strength and will to return to me. Wait till God forgives me my sins and returns my love to me.

I notice Liam's return, when he lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. His hands are in bandages and he holds out a dripping towel. 'May I look at your wounds?' He is the first to break the stillness of the room.

'No, I am fine.'

He sighs and puts away the towel, while sitting opposite me after kissing his sister's burning forehead. Then he nods to my still full dinner plate. 'You cannot neglect yourself.'

'I can and I will.'

'Why? You're not helping my sister with your refusal to eat and drink.'

I ignore him and put a kiss on Christina's hand. 'Did you get them?' I ask grudgingly and Liam does not need an explanation of whom I am referring to.

His jaw tightens and he says wrathful: 'I gave them a taste of their own medicine.'

'They didn't hurt you?'

'Only by stabbing my sister.' He rubs his bandaged fists. 'It seems like my boxing lessons paid off.'

'I hope you hurt them pretty well.'

'That's not a nice thought for a lady.'

'I don't give a damn. They hurt Christina. If you hadn't gone after them, I would have by now.'

He looks at me pensively. 'I think you're really serious, aren't you?'

'I would have hunted them down to get my revenge.'

He chuckles. 'Well, Lady Le Bon, I never imagined you to be such a violent girl.'

I cannot smile at his attempt at cheerfulness, not while Christina was fighting for her life. 'If she...' I swallow. I dare not utter that thought out of fear it will become real. Liam understands though and shakes his head.

'She's always been the toughest one of the family. She will survive. Don't fret.'

'I will kill them still, if she dies.'

Now he leans over the bed and pats my arm. 'They are punished. After I had a...' He smiles crookedly. 'After we had a rough talk, I handed them over to the police. They will serve a sentence.'