The Language of Flowers

Chapter VI

CORIOLANUS SNOW//

I woke up with an excruciating pain in my ribs. I could feel the weight of each breath I managed to take. My head rested on a big white pillow as I struggled to open my eyes fully. I felt someone touch my hand lightly as my eyelids finally went up. For a few seconds, my view was blurry but as it cleared out I saw a feminine figure sitting next to me on the bed. I tried to support myself on my arms and sit up but her hand was softly placed on my chest making me stay still.

" You have to rest."- I heard the familiar soothing voice. A little sigh of relief left my lips when I felt a hand wrapping itself around mine. I smiled and opened my eyes. For a moment everything was blurry and I waited for my sight to focus on a person sitting beside me.

Blond hair. The first feature that came into the picture. I gently squeezed the hand still holding onto me.

" You're okay. God, you're okay."- I tilted my head back and gently rested it against the bed's metal headboard. I felt her shift on the bed.

" Coryo..."- I steadied myself to look at her. My gaze was met with Tigris, holding my hand. My eyes widened immediately as I jerked my hand from hers. It wasn't her and if she is not here then...

My cousin tried to soothe me, putting my hand on my shoulder but I shrugged.

" Lily, she saved my life I-"- I stopped when another person entered the room. Sejanus Plynth came into view, his face looked tired and his hand was wrapped in a single bandage. I felt blood boiling inside of me. His eyes refused to meet mine. I collected myself from the bed grabbing my chest as the pain radiated through my whole body. I rushed to him as my fist clenched around his collared shirt. His breath hissed between his teeth and he squeezed his eyes, expecting a punch.

" Look at me."- I said with a serious tone. His eyes opened slowly, still unsure of my intentions. I pushed him closer to me, my mouth met his ear. I could feel his body tense as my lips parted against his skin, sending a chilly breath onto his neck.

" If I see one small bruise anywhere on her body, you are dead. Do you understand me?"- I whispered so Tigris could not hear my words. The side of his face was still against mine as I felt his hand covering mine, placing itself on his collar. He gently put it away, getting out of my grip and positioning himself in front of me.

" You are hurt, Corio. You should rest."- he said. I felt my heart going up to my throat.

" Do not tell me to fucking rest."- my jaw clenched. The pain in my ribs was unbearable.

" You have three broken ribs, lay down."- he answered, almost unbothered by my outburst. I tried to ignore the feeling in my chest but gave in and went back to rest my back on the soft pillow of the hospital bed. Tigris' gaze was now focused on Sejanus, like she was trying to communicate with him, to say something I could not understand. The mix of annoyance and anger took control over me as I slapped my hand over the headboard. Both of them turned in my direction immediately.

" Say something!"- I said with a demanding voice. My cousin's eyes were now full of tears and my heart dropped. Sejanus took her hand to calm her down but it did absolutely nothing. I watched Tigirs kneel next to my bed, her face lying next to me as she sobbed into the sheets. I didn't feel sorry, I didn't feel anything at all. No remorse, no pain, no anger, nothing.

My eyes darted to Sejanus. His face went white. He opened his mouth and let out a quiet "I'm sorry.". My mind went blank. I had no words, for the first time in my life I didn't know what to say.

Silence

I watched him take a remote from next to my bed. He turned on a small screen right in front of us and pointed to it. I let my eyes wander to the device before me. The headline made my breath hitch.