Forgotten

-Chapter 26-

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Beep. Beep. Beep.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

A few hours ago I had woken up. I now stood waiting, staring through the glass window that looked into Leo's room inside the castle's personal hospital quarters.

I could hear the faint beeping of the heart monitor through the walls. It was the only sign that he was still alive. Other than that, he was looked completely dead.

I don't really remember the explosion. When Sofia came to ask me how I was when I finally woke up, she refused to answer my questions, afraid they would be too much all at once. Apparently I was in a coma for two weeks.

The wedding was pushed a whole month back as of now, and could be even more depending on Leo's condition. The burn scars that covered my body were hideous to look at. I tried not to be insecure, tried to feel lucky that I was even awake right now, but what can I say, I'm only human.

They healed pretty quickly with the hospitals impressive medical advances, but the scars would remain forever. They covered the bottom half of my left leg and from my hand to my elbow of my left arm. Then there was a small one, about the size of a sewing needle, that ran across the center of my cheek. These were the parts of my body that were exposed to the flames.

They had become a fleshy color, a little lighter than my skin tone, and had a soft, velvety feel. It was bizarre.

The doctors said it was a miracle I recovered so quick and that I was pretty much instantly on my feet. But some part of me felt guilty that I wasn't the one still laying in the hospital bed.

It wasn't just Leo, it was many of the innocent soldiers who were just told to come save me. Thankfully Angelo wasn't even touched, it's a wonder how he got out so quickly.

I felt a gentle hand land softly on my shoulder and I tensed up immediately. "He'll be okay," Sofia whispered from behind me, "he doesn't give up that easily."

I turned to face her. Sofias usual brown ringlets fell flat against her shoulders. Her face was pale and below her eyes hung deep, purple eye bags. She insists she's fine, but she grew up with Leo, and I know she is worried about him.

I leaned forward and embraced her in my tired arms. You would think after sleeping for two weeks straight I would be well rested, but there's something about being awake that's just so much more exhausting.

She burried her face in my neck and the tears came streaming. They quickly soaked through my thin blouse and I rubbed her back soothingly. I can't imagine. Both of her best friends had almost died within the last month. Because of me.

I know I'm supposed to be creating havoc, but only for Leo. Sofia and Angelo are wonderful people and the fact they have been brought into this mess is heartbreaking.

Sofia finally pulled away and quickly swiped the tears from under her eyes. Once her breathing had settled and I could see the tension melt from her face, I decided it was time to get my answers.

"How am I not more hurt? Leo and I were right next to each other and look at him compared to me?" Sofias posture stiffened at my question. "I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want you to feel even more guilty," she took a deep breath, "Leo threw his body on top of yours. He's the reason you're alive. The doctors say the blow he took for you would have killed someone your size instantly."

My mind began running a mile a minute. What was with this man? Was I finally succeeding in making him fall for me? I mean, you don't exactly sacrifice yourself for someone else every day. Especially someone you're supposed to hate.

I looked back into his room. Watched his chest rise and fall steadily. Looked at the scars that marred his tanned body. Somehow, he still looked just as beautiful. Maybe it was because the permanent scowl on his face had relaxed.

Sofia stood and watched me watch Leo. Right. I'm supposed to be an upset fiancé.

I made my way into his room and sat on the edge of the bed. The doctors had done a wonderful job. He had a full hair transplant and complete skin grafting. He looked almost as good as new except for a few scars that were scattered here and there.

Sofia was still watching, so I decided to put on a show. I grabbed Leo's hand and squeezed in tightly. Something tugged at my heartstrings, I don't know what it was or why. But I decided to just let it happen. I didn't even notice I was crying until a tear landed on Leo's cold hand.

My lips pinched together. I didn't like that whatever emotion was coursing through my body right now wasn't an act. It needed to stop. Now.

I dropped Leo's hand and went to stood up.

I turned around but something cold grabbed my hand so tight it could be torn from my body in an instant. Leo's surprising strength for a man in a coma whipped my body back around and I almost landed on top of him.

"Athena," he groaned, "you're alive." His grip didn't loosen and suddenly the heart monitor started beeping like crazy.

"Doctor! We need a doctor!" I yelled and I reached over to smack the emergency button on the wall. Leo's grip still hadn't loosened and he pulled me back towards him. His other hand reached up to stroke the scar on my cheek before the doctors came running in.

They hustled me out of the way and I stood in the corner to watch. Eventually, his heart rate receded to normal and he had fallen back asleep. But he was officially no longer in a medical induced coma.

I was still calming myself down as I walked back to my bedroom. I needed a shower, maybe three, and then I needed cookies. Yes cookies. Those would help, right?

My shower lasted about an hour and I wish it could more but the wedding committee really wanted to meet with me, especially now that Leo was awake and recovering quickly. They wanted to return the wedding to the original date. Which now would only be about a week and two months away.

I blow dried my hair and got changed into a black satin button up blouse and pink dress pants. I made my way down to the meeting hall. My shiny black heels clacked against the tile floors and echoed off the narrow walls.

The door to the meeting hall was abnormally large and ominous. I straightened my shoulders, and braved myself for this predictably boring conversation.

I could already hear the activity behind the door. Wedding counselors and planners buzzing with excitement.

The doors swung open dramatically as I walked into the room. A long narrow dark oak table sat in the middle of the large room. Almost all of the chairs were taken up. The room didn't stop talking even I sat down at the head of the table. Papers and binders full of ideas and thoughts were scattered messily across the table.

The doors swung open again and in came my fiancé. Now the room went silent. I've never seen him smirk so hard in his entire life. The wedding committee members all had expressions of surprise and awe at the presence of their miraculously healed leader. I bet his ego was overflowing. I mean the man woke up less than two hours ago and here he was.

He wore a dark suit and his hair was fixed back neatly, but as always, a few curls fell loose. He smiled directly at me and winked, "Let's get started, shall we?"