Rogue ✔

Chapter Twenty-Nine : Hospital Room

"Derniere Danse"

Paige POV

The lights disturbed my well needed slumber. My body was pretty numb for the most part, I couldn't really do much. But for the first time in the last few days, I didn't feel any pain.

I remembered slipping in and out of consciousness. I remember heard both quiet murmuring and harsh yelling. I remembered hearing my name. I would move to say something... to tell someone that I was awake. To ask whether or not I was okay. To ask if Damain was okay. But I always seemed to fall back asleep too quickly.

This time was different. I felt stronger and more awake. I felt like so could open my eyes and keep it that way.

So I did.

I was in a hospital room, a rather large one too. Long white beams of florescent light covered the ceiling, making me squint. It was a typical hospital room, white walls and white tiled floors. The faint scent of bleach and soap filled the air.

I was laying on a bed. A pillow safely tucked underneath my head and a light blanket covering my body. I saw an IV needle sticking into my arm. The needle was connected to a hose that led to a bag full of water to keep me hydrated.  A small click on the far wall in front of me read that it was close to midnight.

To my right was my mate. He sat in a chair too small for him, he was all scrunched up sideways. His legs were crossed and his head laying on the bed next to me, his eyes closed. He was holding my hand as he slept, the right hand holding mine in a light caress. His eyes carried dark bags underneath them... telling me that he probably hadn't slept in a while.

How long had I been asleep for? Hours? Days?

I sighed deeply then winced. Ouch. My left hand slowly moved to my ribs, careful not to let my right hand slip out of his grasp.

Yup, those were bandages alright. One of those lashes must have got me right on my side, mere inches away from my breast. Damn.

I carefully put my hand back down to my side and continued to study Damian. His chestnut colored hair was messy and disheveled. Strands pointing in all directions. It looked like he had been pulling at it or running his hands through it a lot. My heart broke in two when I saw the traces of hastily wiped away tear tracks. He had been crying.

Part of me wanted to wake him up and comfort him. The other side (the more logical one) told me to shut up and let the man rest. I decided to go with the latter.

It genuinely surprised me that I turned out alright. I wasn't expecting to leave this pain for a long time. I expected to die.

Never doubt the goddess, Paige. My subconscious told me. Maybe Rouges weren't so bad after all. If the goddess had spared my life, this life had to be worth something.

Unconsciously, my fingers tightened around Damian's. I didn't notice it until his eyes shot open, revealing his gold flecked eyes to me. A series of emotions surged through his face, disbelief, shock, fear, and eventually settled into a look of pure joy.

"Am I dreaming? Are you really awake?" He asked me. The disbelief evident in his words. I giggled softly and smiled at him. I gathered the last of my bravery and leaned forward to kiss him in the forehead. It was quite the stretch of course, my muscles were sore from not being used and my injuries preventined me from doing much. But... I could kiss my mate.

Within seconds he had stood up from the tiny chair and had my head squished up against his chest. Pulling me closer that live ever been before. I felt him leave light kisses on the crown of my head. My cheeks pulled back into an unbreakable smile when I heard the unmistakable sound of a pounding heartbeat.

However, that unbreakable smile shattered like glass when I heard the faint sniffle. I recoiled and stared up at him. His eyes were watery and a prominent sparkle of liquid gleaned of of his eyelashes. The bags under hjs eyes only became more noticeable. But he had the biggest smile on his face.

I looked at him, confused.

"I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose you..." he told me as his voice shook.  His entire body seemed to be trembling. I shook my head at him and gave him the angriest look that I could muster.

"You should have known better. After all we've been through, you thought that I would just leave you behind like that? Never. Never."

I sealed the promise with a gentle kiss.

He held me close as we celebrated. Our lips never once leaving the others. He seemed to need my touch. Every time I would try to pull away he would let out the most sorrow filled whimper. I gave in immediately.

A little over an hour has passed. Our positions have changed. I scooted over to the far side of the hospital bed in order to let him up with me. He gladly excepted the invitation. Within minutes he was asleep in my arms, his head gently tucked in the crook of my neck. His hand across his chest in order to not wrap them around me or my injuries. Even in sleep he refused to hurt me.

I ran my fingers soothingly through his hair, slowly massaging his worn out scalp. He sighed in content.

In that very moment, the world got very very small. There was no Kings or Princes. No Witches or Rouges. No titles. No names.

It was just us. Damian and Paige. The starcrossed lovers who defied all odds.

And I that was all I would ever need.