The Forgotten Light

43. Fairlight

There were moments far too brief in which she drifted off and felt nothing. The last time she was conscious, she tried to convince Kendra to finally go and eat something and rest, but instead, the doctor stated that she would bring something for her.

It had been a long, tiring night. Fairlight didn't want to think of herself as the most exhausted, but that's exactly how she felt. She lay on her back with her head turned to the side, her eyes closed. She knew she was slowly coming to consciousness, as the pain grew in her with each beat of her heart. She pressed her eyes tighter and tighter, as if that was the only thing that could keep her from waking up completely.

At some point, she felt a soft, purring warmth hugging her. She reached to the side, hitting someone's hand. She squeezed it lightly, assuming it was Kendra, because, after all, she was the only one who lasted by her side almost continuously.

Then a strange warmth began to spread throughout her body. It was a pleasant sensation that made her finally breathe freely as the pain disappeared. The blood in her veins revived and she felt her strength arrive.

Fairlight opened her eyes and saw Keiran's head and heavy paw resting on her stomach. She looked quickly at Kendra.

Only it wasn't her friend nor her hand.

She gasped frightened and pulled her hand back as if burned. Prince Darksen's black eyes looked at her mysteriously. For a moment she couldn't take her eyes off him. She noticed that all the blackness that characterized him had faded. His irises were no longer so obsidian, and his hair seemed to have a silver shine.

She blinked, pulling her gaze away from him. Why didn't he immediately push her away when she touched him?

"Where is Kendra?" That was the first thing that came to her mind.

Invicta shrugged. "It's a good thing she wasn't here, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to bring Keiran in."

Fairlight looked at the cat. It was so big that it occupied practically the entire bed. Keiran lifted his head and fixed his blue eyes on her, keeping his heavy paw on her the whole time, as if he didn't want to let her escape.

Once again, he helped her. Once again, the murderous Invicta Beast probably saved her life.

But to which of them did she owe her life more this time? After all, if the Prince hadn't decided to find the snow leopard, she would have been on her own, depending on Invicta's blood in her veins, which perhaps would have endured the effects of the drug.

She should probably be grateful to the Being next to her, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to express it.

"I don't need your mercy."

Darksen remained unmoved. "I know."

"I don't want your help," she continued.

The Prince raised an eyebrow, as if wondering why and when he should help her, but only said, "I know that too."

Fairlight looked him straight in the eyes so he would know how genuine her next words were.

"I hate you."

Darksen returned her gaze. "Likewise."

"And nothing will ever change that."

"Never."

For a long moment they measured each other in silence with deadly stares. Fairlight felt a little uncomfortable continuing to lie in his bed, but as long as she was crushed by the weight of the snow leopard, she couldn't get up.