Marry or Kill

03

M I N A

As I stir from unconsciousness, a dull ache throbs in my temples, and I wince at the wave of conscious pain in my thigh. The air feels heavy, each breath a deliberate effort against the haze that clouds my mind.

With an agonized turn of my head, I find myself nestled in the embrace of pillows, their softness fondling my bare skin.

The sheets cradle me in a cocoon of clean white silk, their warmth seeping through my skin like a gentle caress. Blinking against the harsh light that surrounds me, I am met with an otherworldly, heavenly white of the medical sector.

"Finally! You scare the living daylights out of me." The breath catches in Sol's throat as relief floods over her.

She lands a head against my stomach, the warmth of her touch grounding me.

Swallowing hard, I feel an overwhelming weakness seep into my limbs. With an achy slowness, I reach to touch the top of her head, my arm trembling under the weight of exhaustion.

"My body is drained, it's like my muscles have been suctioned out of me," I breathe, nearly sobbing out loud as my head hits the pillow again.

I can barely move, let alone wrap my arms around Sol in a tight relief.

Sol slowly lifts her head, golden hair spilling like liquid sunshine over her shoulders. "The nurse said the poison was indistinguishable, like it was tailor-made for you," she says, a shadow casting over her eyes. "We scour every single database for information on what it is and the antidote. How are you feeling?"

The concern in her voice hangs heavy in the air.

Immediately, like a blaring stain, I notice the large, jagged cut on her cheek.

It appears to have been healed, but the scars of the wound linger, barely concealed beneath the surface.

Oh, god.

Sol had been hurt because of me, because she protected me—

"What happened," I snippily blurt, as I stare at the cut across her face. The demand tightly echoes in the heavy air of the medical room. "Your face is cut—"

"Mina, it's fine. I'm okay. What I'm worried about is your thigh," Sol reassures, her concern cutting through any attempt to downplay her own injuries. "When I found you, there was white froth coming out of your mouth. I thought you were dead... Oh stars, don't scare me like that again."

The pain in my thigh still burns, like there's a piece of hot metal embedded in my skin beneath the bandage. I suppress any sign of discomfort as I let out a sigh, sinking back into the soft linen of the pillow.

"Are we ever going to stop subjecting each other to this constant worry? It's ridiculously stupid how these issues never seem to give us a break."

We have constant attacks, trying to strike at my father, especially to steal his place at The East due to our weakness in the money department.

Sol sighed, settling comfortably on my stomach. Her warm hand found its place on top of mine. "No matter how relentless these attacks become, I always worry about you, Mina."

I gently slide my hand away, placing it on top of hers.

Sol chuckles against my stomach. "And I always push back against that and insist that you should also prioritize taking care of yourself. We're in this together, and your well-being matters just as much to me as mine does."

A golden warmth settles between us, creating a tranquil silence that envelops the room. Sol eases herself up, her movements deliberate, releasing the tension from my stomach.