Tied to the Throne

chapter forty nine

Arabella P.O.V

The blindingly white walls and constant beeping are driving me insane; even more insane than I already am.

The air is cold, sharp, and my nostrils are filled with nothing but the nauseating smell of bleach and sickeningly fresh soap. Normally I would love the smell of a hospital room — how crisp the air is, and how clean everything feels, but being here for just days upon end, I'm just about ready to throw myself into one of these white walls.

I'm pretty sure the only thing keeping from doing so is the smell of vanilla and cedar wood. The smell of him.

Nik being here for me, by my side: it's really helped, more than I think he knows.

I had written and sent the letter to Wil, asking to talk about whatever happened between us. I needed closure, I needed to know if my imagination was getting the better of me, or if he somehow deified life and death.

Revival isn't possible, right?

"Bell, love, are you alright?"

Nik once again pulls me from my spiralling thoughts. I almost forgot he was here, despite his hand firmly intertwined with mine.

I nod and give a small hum and smile. Looking up at him, his face is pale, eyes dark, lips dry. I feel awful for what I've put him through. But I can't help but notice how good he looks.

He's decided to let go of the whole mask thing entirely, it being too much of a hassle to keep up, and, well most have seen his face anyway. Can't hide what is already out there.

I still don't really understand why he was even wearing it in the first place, I guess I could ask him later...

Breaking the incessant beeping and silence, he speaks up again, holding my hand tighter, "I'm really sorry again for how I treated you. I just—"

"No, hon, we've talked about this, it's not your fault—"

Another voice interrupts our quiet conversation, "Your Majesty's, William Tuckett is here to see you Ma'am; from Fernvale," A soft spoken man informs us, a little bit out of breath, possibly from running here.

Me and my husband share a look. A look that says, 'Oh my God, are we about to find out if I killed my brother and he came back to life?'.

Nikolai tells the man to let Wil in, just as he stands up and bids his farewell to me, saying that it's probably best if me and Wil have this conversation alone. He kisses my hand and leaves the room, saying hello to my brother on the way out.

There he is. My brother. Wil. William.

"I think we both know why I wanted to see you Wil."

He gives me a flat smile and sighs, sitting down where Nik just was, "I'm glad you're okay, and alive," he says with a small laugh.

I emailed and shake my head, "Yeah well, I could say the same for you," his face almost instantly drops, knowingly, eyes locking with mine.

"How are you alive?"

Silence.

"I saw what I did to you. There was so much blood. So please Wil, how are you alive?" I ask again, much more desperation in my soft voice.

"Please."

He sighs again, deeper this time.

"It's a long story—"