RIPPLE

{Twelve}

       When I wake up, I could hear the steady beep of a heart monitor.

       Pain scorches through my right side. A small moan escapes my lips, and I try to fight this darkness. I won't let it take me again. I struggle for control and let the pain in; the darkness finally allows bright blurring lights to enter my vision and I gaze away, moaning again with the sudden pain.

        As I come around, fear somehow courses through me as I see the King by my bedside. I'm in a blinding white room that smells almost too sterile. There are different beds blocked off by curtains and only few are currently occupied. I try to sit up and wonder if any of them hold Mikhail, wondering if he's even alive.

        King Ronan looks exhausted. There are dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, and he smiles seeing me awake. He doesn't look very King-like this morning, and he shakes his head as he gazes down upon me. "Even Mikhail's betrothed wouldn't have done what you did for him, Nerissa, and Kinerton will forever be in your debt because of it." How long has the King been at my bedside this morning?

       "W-what happened?"

       "You saved my son's life. That's what happened, Nerissa. Your sisters came to the surface world searching for you and thankfully they found you just in time."

       Surface world.

       "I know what and who you are. Your sisters told me everything. They've been patiently waiting for you to wake up, sharing rooms in the East Wing."

       "And Mikhail? Where's Mikhail? Will he be okay?"

       Ronan smiles and there's pink in his cheeks. "He's doing better thanks to you. He's sleeping off some heavy pain medication a few beds over." He shakes his head, "it was wrong of me to judge you and your kind so harshly, Nerissa, and I would like to offer you a chance to make you a Royal on the surface world. I want to give you my blessing to publicly begin to see my son, should you accept my offer. You don't have to decide today. But I would like an answer by the week's end." Ronan rises from his chair, "I have extra blankets on the way, and a tray for lunch. Ring the bell on the tray beside you when you think you're feeling well enough for other visitors."

       I can feel a natural smile taking over, "Thank you for everything, King Ronan."

       "No, Nerissa. Thank you." And then he was gone.

       I didn't want to ring the bell just yet for visitors. Instead, I let the pain sink in and try to adjust myself, trying to get comfortable under the thin sheet. The area I am in is slightly small with no real means of entertainment other than to stare around at the white wraparound curtain, and embrace my inner thoughts.

       I needed to talk to Mikhail.

       Lachlan lied to me, and the more I think about it, the more my fingers ache to ring the bell so that I can see him. But before I can, a happy enough looking Nurse announces her entrance into my small curtained off area.

       She smiles gently at me and is wearing entirely white. Her chocolate brown eyes are filled with caution as she approaches with my lunch tray and a clean, new set of bandages. There's pink in her cheeks, and her auburn hair is wrapped up in a bun. She introduces herself as Gabrielle, and thanks me for my selfless act of heroism.

       Gabrielle changes my bloody bandages, gives me a heavier, warmer blanket and stays until I take the pain medication she gives me.

       Lunch is a ham and cheese sandwich with a bottle of water and a small side of French fries. Halfway through the meal, I ring the bell for visitors and steel my features as I hear plenty of approaching footsteps.