Nadine

4. Bad Dream

I open my eyes and I'm in the medical area. Dr. Cruor is talking to my parents. I close my eyes quickly so I can hear what he says to them.

"Physically she'll be fine. Mentally, I don't know. It's going to be hard on her mind to recover from this type of an attack by her own brother."

I hear my mom start sobbing. "Miculai do something."

"I will Aurelia I promise." I can hear the emotion in his voice too.

This breaks my heart for them. I know the pain they are going through. I've talked to many families of victims. They don't deserve this.

I open my eyes and watch the four of them standing there. My parents are hugging, Asa is wiping tears away and the doctor is staring at some papers.

"How long was I unconscious?"

"Three days, princess. You had some pretty severe stomach damage that needed a bit of time."

"What else?"

"All the bones in your face were broken and several ribs."

My mother looses it and starts sobbing again. She grabs my father and he holds her.

"What did he use to cut me?"

"A dagger of some kind."

I look at my father. "Is Tre in training now?"

"No. I pushed it back until you're both ready. That boy is a mess. He blames himself for leaving you there alone. Asa and Dracul came immediately but he still won't leave the hallway."

I shake my head. "No one could have known that my own brother would do this to me. Where is Clay?"

I can see my dad's fighting back tears. "He's in the dungeon."

"Doctor?"

"Yes princess."

"Can I come back to work now?"

...

They are all staring at me.

"I can't lay here forever. I have to keep going."

"I would suggest taking a week or two to relax princess."

"We both know I'll be fine in two hours doctor."

"Physically, yes. But you will need more time to recover from this."

I stare at the ceiling for a few minutes. He doesn't seem to be changing his mind. "Fine."

"Come to see me in a week, princess. I will reevaluate you then. Make sure you take it easy tonight and have lots of liquids."

My mom sits on the bed beside me and sobs as she holds me. "I'm so sorry my baby."

My dad shakes the doctors hand and thanks him as they walk out in the hallway. Asa follows them out.

"Is she ok? Is she awake? Can I see her?"

That was Tre. I feel a little better knowing he's really here.

"Mom, help me up please. I want to sit in the chair for a bit."

Mom gets me into the chair and puts a couple pillows around me.

"It feels nice to be out of the bed."

"I bet child." She's still teary eyed but not sobbing anymore.

"This wasn't your fault mom. It wasn't dads either. Or Tre's or anyone else's. It was Clay's fault. He did this to me. I'll never trust him again."

"No one will, my child."

"Can I have a veil and see Tre for a little bit. I need him to know this wasn't his fault. He didn't do anything wrong."

She grabs a veil off the table for me. "I'll send him in child. I'll be right outside. Yell if you need me."

I smile at her. "Momma, I'm safe with Tre."

She opens the door. Tre comes flying in and sits by me.

I can tell he's been crying. His eyes are all red. I reach out and touch his face. "I missed you."

He wraps his arms around me and I lay my head on his chest. "I missed you too baby. I was really scared."

"When did your parents get here?"

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry I wasn't there princess. I should have stayed with you."

"This isn't your fault. No one could have known my brother would do this to me. I should have been safe there. Who found me? I remember someone yelling for guards."

"The stable man. He was so upset."

"Zacier. I'll go see him after I get better. I owe him a thank you."

"I'll go with you. I owe that man so much."

"Will you help me up Tre? I want to go home."

"Of course, princess. Let's get you home." He walks me all the way home. After an hour of staring at the wall, I go up to my room.

"You alright little miss?"

I nod as Mary runs a comb through my hair.

"It will get better, little miss. Just try to relax for a bit. I'll go get you some water."

I enjoy being alone for a moment. I hear someone coming down the hallway. It's probably mom coming to check on me. I run my fingers over the stones in the bracelet Tre gave me so long ago. They are still so beautiful.

I look up and Clay is standing in the doorway with a sword.

I jump up from my stool and back away. "NO! HELP ME!" I scream as loudly as I can.

"Nadine! Nadine!" My parents are both in my room. Mom is shaking my shoulders. "You are ok my baby."

Dad rubs my hair. "It was a bad dream my princess."

I check around me and steady myself. After a minute, I lay back down.