Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

59

Hathor groggily opened her eyes, pushing herself upright. She groaned at the movement. Everything hurt, especially where she'd been shot-

She came to full attention. She'd been shot! Hathor looked around frantically. This wasn't the dark castle with glowing red streams. This was . . . the Palace! She was home! Hathor fell backwards with a relieved laugh. The movement hurt her body but she didn't care. 

A pale blue face came into focus above her. "Nice to have you back," Kayla said. She brushed a webbed hand over Hathor's chest. Whatever she sensed, it made the Zer nod approvingly. "You can leave in two hours, okay? Stay in bed until then."

"Are the others okay?" 

Kayla read over paper on a clipboard as she spoke. "Jay, Colt, and our two guests are fine. Amneris was attacked and fell into a stream of liquid Scarlet Budtorite. Quite a lot of damage to her new body-"

"What?!" Hathor doubled over as her chest ached.

"-But nothing I can't fix." Kayla placed the clipboard on the bedside table before helping Hathor sit upright. She pushed a pillow behind her back and head. "Try not to move too much. You were shot through the heart and those organs are complex. They take a while to heal. If you strain yourself, you will be here for another day."

"Which is bad," Hathor said slowly.

"Very bad." Kayla turned to a Healer entering the room, holding a tray. She spoke to them in the Zer language, voice trickling like drops of water before taking the tray and placing it on Hathor's lap. "Eat."

She knew better than to argue. Hathor pulled the lid from the tray. "Eating."

Kayla and the new Healer spoke quietly to the side. Hathor wished that she had her translator to understand what they were saying! The Zer language was difficult, even more so for land and sky dwellers such as herself. She managed to recognise a few words from the short amount of time she'd studied the language. "I'm . . . downstairs to . . . Queen is in . . . condition . . . watch Hathy . . . gone." 

Her attention was taken from the conversation by a very familiar cry of "Hathyyyyy!"

Maddie was at her side in an instant, throwing her arms around her. "You're okay!"

Hathor tapped her friend's arms. "I'd be better if I could breathe," she croaked.

Maddie yelped, jumping back. "Sorry!"

"We were so worried about you!" Imogene hugged her with far less force. "You are okay right?"

"I'm fine," Hathor assured them as Sky and Isaiah came to stand beside her bed.

Sky sniffed the food on the tray, recoiling. "Never did like hospital food. It's so . . ."

"Bland?" Isaiah offered.

"Exactly. Bland. No flavour at all."

"I hear its necessary in case patients are still sensitive and have negative reactions," Imogene said matter-of-factly. 

Hathor was no longer listening. "Where's Troy?"

The group turned to the door.

"He was right behind us," Maddie said with a shrug.

Isaiah laughed softy. "Count on him to get lost."

Imogene waved a hand. "He'll pop up any second, I'm sure."

"Speak of the wolf," Sky said as Troy poked his head through the door. "Get lost, did you?"

Troy scoffed at the comment. His eyes landed on Hathor. She sent him a small wave. Troy dashed forward, leapt onto the bed, and kissed her. He pulled away just as fast. "Sorry. I should have asked before doing th-" Hathor grasped the sides of his face and kissed him again.

Kayla whacked the two with her clipboard. "Break it up!" She eyed Troy. "What do you think would have happened if she'd been contagious?" He was too busy grinning like a fool to answer. Kayla sighed deeply. "Teenagers."

"Aren't you only a few centuries older than us?" Imogene asked.

"Never mind that." She turned back to Hathor. "Brooke is going to keep an eye on you while I'm out." She gestured to the other Zer in the room. "If I'm not back before you can leave, she will let you out."

"Are you going to see mum?"

"I told you she is fine. You have nothing to worry about."