Nadine

10. Shock

I wake up and pull the blood tube out of my throat. That was shoved damn near down to my stomach. Must have swallowed it a few times in my sleep. "Well, that hurt."

Mom's still in the other bed. I grab some water and try to ease my throat a bit.

The door opens and Mary comes in with a tray. "Good morning princess. I brought you some breakfast. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you. But I didn't know I was feeling unwell."

She smiles at me. She has such a kind smile. "You have been through a lot, princess. You were in shock." She sets up my breakfast and sits down beside me. "Did you get the information you were hoping for from your brother yesterday?"

"I think so. He's jealous."

"I'm sorry to hear about that princess."

"How is my mom?"

"She has slept all night. The doctor says she was in shock also." She pours me some more water. "She should wake up soon as well."

I sit and eat my food while Mary sets up my mom's food.

"Mary."

"Yes little miss."

"I'm tired. I'm tired of all the bad stuff. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of waking up here. I'm tired of feeling like I need answers. I'm tired of being called a child. I'm tired of being held back. I'm just tired."

"Life isn't easy princess. You have to let the bad go and concentrate on the good or it will wear you out."

"She's right, my child. There is always bad stuff. You can't focus on it... Think of it like this. I can choose to focus on the werewolf attack and stay in the castle forever or I can move on and enjoy my daily walks still... I'm not going to let one attack prevent me from enjoying the outside."

Mary pushes her breakfast to her.

"Thank you Mary. However, I will be more aware of my surroundings outside now." She lets out a little laugh.

I see Mary's eyes tear up. I pretend not to notice though. That was the first time my mom ever said her name.

"What happened momma?"

"I went on a walk. I was enjoying the cool breeze and sound of the water. I never heard it approach me. I never smelled it. Nothing. He was on top of me so quickly. Had me by the throat. Everyone was there within a minute. I saw your father fall to his knees. That's the last I remember."

"What did you see?"

"When daddy fell, I screamed and tried to run to you. Tre pinned me to the ground. It was enough of a distraction that it released your throat. Dracul and Gunner tore him apart and Dipak caught you. Daddy was still crying. We brought you here. When you woke up, I must have passed out."

"Now what happened that day with your brother?"

"I was in the field after everyone left. He was coming towards me like he was mad. I started clapping and told him that his dragon was magical. He threw a rock and hit my face. Then he was on top of me, hitting me. He was saying he hated me. He sliced my arm with something and then stuck it in my stomach through my dress. He said 'why won't you just die already?' Then he grabbed the rock again and kept hitting me in the face. I heard someone yelling for a guard, then I heard the alarms. I felt myself getting picked up. That's all."

"Your dad said he saw you and Tre back in the field after that day. What were you doing?"

"I don't know. I wanted to see the spot, I guess. I did find the rock. Tre helped me bury it."

"Did that make you feel better?"

"It didn't make me feel worse. I guess better because I never have to see it again."

"I heard that you and Tre had a fight shortly after that. What was that about?"

I take a long time to think about this one. "Sometimes he sees me as a woman. Other times he sees me as a child. I wish he would pick one."

"Why do you think he does that?"

I shake my head.

My dad steps out from beside the curtain.

"Hi daddy, I didn't know you were here."

"Yes, that's the way I wanted it. I wanted to hear you talk about the attack from your brother. You haven't really said much to anyone about it. I'm sorry he did that to you."

Mom sits up. "So what did you talk to your brother about yesterday?"

I give her a look.

"Yes child. I know everything."

I sit there staring at her for a minute. I don't even know what to say or where to start. "He said he was jealous. My whole life is planned out and perfect. He called me and Tre the future king and queen. Tre was mad and yelling a lot. He did say that he loves me and he's not going to ask for forgiveness. He said he'll go so I don't have to worry about him anymore."

Mom glances at my dad, "Anything else?"

Dad shakes his head. "No, the guards work for me dear. I know everything that was said or not said there." Then he comes over and kisses my head. "Come to my office after lunch."

"Ok." I've never been there before. I'm curious now.

"I'm going to ask the doctor if you two can leave. You both seem like you're processing well."

A few minutes later, the doctor comes in. "Hello ladies. I'm going to discharge you both. Remember lots of rest and liquids for a few days. The shock took a toll on both of you. Also, remember that rest and talking to people will help to process the trauma." He looks right at me. "You can come back to work in three days."

"Thank you doctor."

"I'll send the girls back in to help you get to your home."

My mom gets up and shakes his hand. "Thank you doctor."

Mary comes in first. "Princess ma'am, what can I assist with?"

"My veil please, and a bath. I still have grass on me."

"My pleasure, ma'am."

Mary helps me get home and clean up. It's nice to have clean clothes on.

"Would you like me to send for Tre miss?"

"No thank you Mary. I need space. I'm going to go out by myself. I'd like to see my horses. I haven't been there in weeks."

"Yes little miss."

As soon as I get rid of everyone, I go straight back to the field. I dig up the rock. I hold it and look at it. I will never forget what he did.

Then I put the rock in my apron and go to the barn.

"Good afternoon Hypatia."

"Wait, it's afternoon? Is it past lunch hour?"

"Lunch should be finishing about now."

"Oh no. I'll be back later Zacier. I didn't realize it was so late." I run out and strait to my dad's office.