The Queen's Guard

Chapter 17

The dim light cast long shadows across the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the faint coppery tang of blood. Carina was laid on the bed, almost naked beneath a thin sheet, her face pale and still against the stark white linen. The sight of her, so fragile and vulnerable, sent a fresh wave of anguish over Maya.

She approached slowly, her footsteps echoing in the silence. Each step felt like a monumental effort, her legs heavy with dread. She froze when she reached Carina's side, her eyes fixed on the red-stained bandages visible through the sheer fabric. Fear gripped her heart, tightening its hold with every shallow breath Carina took. She looked so cold, so exposed, and Maya was terrified to touch her, afraid she might cause more harm.

Her hand hovered above Carina's, trembling. She swallowed hard, willing herself to be strong, to offer some comfort to the woman she loved. But the sight of Carina's still form, the bandages red and against her pale skin, held her in a paralyzing grip of fear and guilt.

She finally sank to her knees beside the bed. The silence of the room was oppressive, broken only by the faint sound of Carina's labored breaths.

"I'm so sorry," Maya whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I should have protected you."

Tears streamed down her face, falling onto the sheet that barely covered Carina. Maya clasped her own hands together, squeezing tightly as if willing the strength of her grip to somehow transfer to Carina. "Please, come back to me," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "I love you."

Minutes stretched into an eternity as Maya knelt by her queen's side, her mind a whirlwind of fear and regret. She didn't know how long she stayed there, watching the faint rise and fall of Carina's chest, but eventually, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. She looked up to see Ben standing there, his eyes filled with understanding and concern.

"You need some rest too, Maya," he said softly. "We'll take care of her. You've done all you can for now."

Maya shook her head, her eyes wide and desperate. "I can't leave her," she whispered. "I can't."

Ben's eyes softened. "Just for a little while," he urged. "You need to take care of yourself. She's going to need you when she wakes up. They will tend to her."

Maya hesitated, her heart aching with the desire to stay by Carina's side. But it wasn't her place to be there, not officially, not in the way she wanted. She was the queen's guard, not her family, not her partner. She finally nodded, reluctantly rising to her feet. Her gaze lingered on Carina's still form for a moment longer before she left. 

The corridors of the castle felt cold and empty as she made her way back to her quarters. She knew she needed to rest, to regain her strength, but sleep seemed like an impossible luxury.

As she reached her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, finally allowing herself to break down. Sobs wracked her body, and she slid to the floor, feeling utterly lost and alone. The thought of losing Carina was unbearable, and the guilt of not being able to protect her gnawed at her soul.

Minutes turned into hours as Maya sat there, her mind a whirlwind of fear and regret. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into a fitful sleep, her dreams haunted by images of Carina's pale face and the bloodstained bandages.

If she could, Maya would have stayed by Carina's side every moment of every day. But Carina's condition was too fragile, and she was continuously monitored by the healers, their faces lined with worry. Maya's heart ached every time she had to leave, each separation feeling like a cruel twist of fate.

Days turned into an agonizing blur. Carina remained unconscious, her condition wavering between moments of stability and frightening declines. Maya could do nothing but watch and wait, the helplessness gnawing at her resolve.