Horse Stone (Book 1 of Ilyrian Series)

Chapter 93

"It is safe, Princess," Dr. Wilson said while he walked over to the bathroom door with the bag my father had brought. "Are you ok?" he asked softly.

I breathed a sigh of relief and slowly nodded. "Yes," I said softly. "I guess that you didn't have to wash my clothes."

The doctor chuckled. "I didn't mind, Your Highness," he said and bowed his head in respect. "Here, go ahead and take the bag. Have you changed into your other clothes yet?"

I hesitated but shook my head. "No," I said softly before I cleared my throat, my cheeks turning red. "I am sorry about that, Doc."

"Don't be," he said and shook his head with a small chuckle. He cleared his throat and placed the bag in front of the bathroom door. "There," he said softly before he cleared his throat again. "When you are dressed, would you like some tea?"

I nodded. "Please," I said softly. "Thank you."

"Of course," he said before he cleared his throat. "Was there anything else that I can do for you?" he asked, and I shook my head no. "Now, if you will excuse me, I will get your tea ready."

"Thank you," I said again.

Dr. Wilson smiled before he bowed his head and left, and I breathed a sigh of relief before I finished drying off and started to get dressed.

Thank the Gods, I thought with a small smile feeling grateful that he was able to help me in my time of need and for him to convince my father to let us talk tomorrow about what happened.

Thank you.

***

I finished getting ready and walked to the living room where Dr. Anthony was fixing the couch with some bedsheets, and my cat followed me.

Dr. Wilson paused and looked at me with a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes, his eyes showing the worry he felt for me. "Hello, Your Highness," he said and bowed his head with a small hum in his voice. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I said honestly, grateful that I was in new clothes that my father had gotten me, even though I was happy he was gone. "I am glad that my dad is gone."

Dr. Wilson hummed and nodded. He cleared his throat and grew serious while he gestured down the hall and to his room. "You may take my room for to-"

"Don't," I said, interrupting him and shaking my head. "Tig and I can take the couch. It is no problem."

Dr. Wilson shook his head and frowned. Worry filled his eyes and turned his eyes darker, and I could tell that he didn't like the idea of me sleeping on the couch.

"It won't be the first time that I did this," I said, hoping to soothe his fears.

I cleared my throat and shifted on my feet while I looked down, blushing. "I'd much rather sleep on the couch than have you sleeping on it anyway," I admitted.

"And why is that?" the doctor asked and raised an eyebrow. Concern filled his eyes while he cocked his head and stared at me nervously. "Are you saying th-"

"All I am saying is that it wouldn't be right for me to take your bed when that bed is yours," I said, interrupting him. "I am a guest here, and I don't want to take you away from your comfort."

Tig jumped on the couch with a small chirp in her voice. She cocked her head and stared at Dr. Wilson with intelligent amber eyes and said something to him that I couldn't understand, and he looked at her.

I pressed my lips into a thin line but stayed silent while I watched them, my heart aching because I wanted to know what she said to him and if what she said would help him understand my intentions.

One of these days I will be able to hear her...

Even if it wasn't today...

Dr. Wilson relented with a small sigh before he nodded and looked at me. "Ok," he said before he cleared his throat and grew serious. "I shall take the bed. Are you hungry?" he asked, changing the subject and cocked his head while he studied me. "I can whip up something quick for you before you fall asleep if you would like."

I hesitated before I shook my head no. "I am not, thank you though," I said and forced a smile on my face.

I was hungry, but I didn't want him to know that. I didn't want to be a burden to him as much as I was already.

My stomach gave me away and growled, sounding like a dying whale, and I couldn't help but look away from him and blush.

Dr. Wilson chuckled, amused while he nodded. "I take it that you are," he said. He gestured to the kitchen and started to walk that way, and I hesitated before I followed him and my cat followed us. "You know, you don't have to be so hesitant, Your Highness," he added softly while he looked at me. "You aren't a burden to me at all."

I hesitated before I dipped my head. "Thank you," I said, my voice soft before I cleared my throat. "I do appreciate it."

"Of course," Dr. Wilson said. He gestured to the table before he started to walk over to the kitchen. "Do you have anything that you want in particular?" he asked while he paused and looked at me.

"Whatever you want to cook is fine," I said and sat down at the table when he gestured for me to go that way. "I don't mind."

He hummed and nodded. "Of course," he said and cleared his throat. "However, I must ask if you are sure, Your Highness." He gave me a pointed look, and I shrugged and grimaced.

"I am," I confirmed before I nodded. "I don't mind eating whatever you eat."

"Hmph." Dr. Wilson nodded. "Of course, Princess," he said. He cleared his throat while he grew serious before he looked at Tigra. "What about you?" he asked and raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to eat?"

Tigra sat down by my feet and slowly blinked. She glanced at me before she looked at him. She flicked her tail and cocked her head while she said something that I wouldn't understand.

He nodded before he chuckled. "Of course," he said before he cleared his throat again and looked at me. "She will get something later when you are asleep."

I glanced at Tigra, feeling slightly sad that she was going to leave me to get food but understood.

She needed to eat too.

I moved a hand through my hair before I sighed and shook my head. "Ok," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "but you are going to wait until I am asleep, right?" I looked at my cat and raised an eyebrow, silently praying that she would.

My cat nodded and moved closer to me. She rubbed against me and purred before she looked at me, her eyes wide and filled with an intelligence that I didn't know a cat could possess much less a magical one.

I looked at her before I looked at Dr. Wilson, silently wondering what my cat said.

Dr. Wilson chuckled and bit back a small smile while he dipped his head. "She will wait until you are fully asleep," he said. "She is wondering if you would like it if Lucas stayed with you until she gets back."

My heart grew warm when she said that and I looked at Dr. Wilson. "Is that ok?" I asked.

Dr. Wilson nodded. "Yes," he replied. "As long as it makes you comfortable, then I do not mind him staying over while you sleep." He gestured to the window. "If you want, you can let him in now. He is waiting for you to call him over." He cleared his throat. "And while you do that, I will start cooking for us."

I hesitated before I nodded and offered him a tight smile. "Ok. Thank you, Dr. Wilson."

Dr. Wilson bowed. "Of course, Princess," he said while he stood taller.

And with that, he walked into the kitchen while both me and Tigra went to let Lucas in at the window he pointed at.

Gods, please keep me safe, I silently prayed, my heart aching for some reason. Please.