A Dove's Tale

Chapter 83

I was used to the doctor carrying me from my room to the bathroom and back again, although it was still embarrassing when he did so in front of whoever was visiting with me, but I wasn't used to him carrying me through the busy halls of a thriving estate. It didn't help that we were following two princes, who were carrying my luggage, and flanked by guards, as if I were the most important person in this strange processional. My cheeks were still hot when the carriage jolted into motion.

"What part of slow and easy didn't that coachman understand?" the doctor grumbled from his seat beside me, catching the wince I tried to hide. "How bad is the pain?"

I shook my head. "It's already gone. I'm fine. Really."

"Young lady, do I need to remind you that your health is my primary concern? You've been making significant progress, but pushing yourself too hard could cause a major setback. I need to know about any changes in your pain before they become too drastic so I can better take care of you. The palace isn't going anywhere, but if we don't stop at the right time, you may have to spend a few days recovering before we can get back on the road, and it will take even longer to get there."

I sighed and looked out the window as he gently scolded me. This was not the first time I'd heard some variation of this speech. Prince Nokto chuckled from his seat across from us.

"You still don't look out for yourself, do you?"

He was sitting the same way as he did the last time he'd asked me that question, leaning back against the wall of the carriage with his legs stretched across the seat in front of him, his head tilted slightly to the side so his shaggy silver hair brushed his near shoulder as he grinned at me. Back then, I'd been in my preferred position, sitting with my legs tucked up under me on the seat, worrying about my mother instead of the rain pouring down outside and the coat I'd forgotten at the palace. Now, I was worried about how long I could just sit upright, wondering if I'd ever be able to curl up in that position again and still find it comfortable, and trying not to think about my dead mother.

I wished Theresa hadn't opted to ride with the luggage.

"It was just like when I sit up too fast," I said, looking from Prince Nokto to the doctor. "It hurt only for a second, and now it's gone. Could we work on my exercises?"

The doctor sighed and shook his head. "No exercises today."

"But how am I-"

"If you're feeling up to it, we can try them after we stop for the day. Until then, just enjoy the ride and tell me when you're getting tired or your pain gets worse," the doctor said patiently.

I pursed my lips and looked back out the window. The better I felt physically, the harder it was to follow the doctor's instructions. I could sit up by myself; I could lift my arms at the shoulders and bend them at the elbows; and my legs were getting stronger, too, which meant my remaining limitations were even more frustrating. It still hurt when I sat up for too long. I didn't have the full range of motion in my shoulders, and the doctor wouldn't let me try to stand up, let alone walk yet. The only movement my wrists got was when he unwrapped them and felt the healing bones with his callused, careful fingers. He didn't want me doing anything with them until a full six weeks had passed because of the severity of the fractures. The threat of permanent disability should the bones heal wrong kept me from disobeying.

But it was hard to sit and stew about it all on such a beautiful day.

It had been weeks since I was last outside, and I hadn't exactly paid attention to my surroundings the night of my rescue when it was a struggle just to stay conscious. Now, breathing in the fresh air wafting through the carriage's open windows, feeling the pleasant warmth of the rays of sunshine in the clear blue sky, it was hard to even remember that dark night. Fields of green grass passed us by, sometimes dotted with grazing horses or cattle, sometimes empty except for the birds wheeling above. Their songs carried easily through the air, a sweet background to the muted clip-clop of horses' hooves and the crunch of carriage wheels across the packed dirt road. It was beautiful.