“Can’t you do it in a way that doesn’t hurt her?” He asks, concern lacing his tone as he drops the young male.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the time to sedate her. The wounds are serious and must be addressed immediately. It shouldn’t take much longer.”
I listen intently, whimpering as they continue to move their hands over the wounds on my body. My eyes fill with tears as Ifeel my bones physically moving inside of me. The sensation is so horrible that I lurch forward, vomiting over the side of the bed and coating the dark stone flooring.
I look up to see Korithax dragging a chair over, placing it beside the bed where I just threw up. I cringe at how close he is to it, but he just ignores the pile of vomit, taking my trembling hand in his as he sits. With his other hand, he gently brushes the damp hair from my face. I lay my head back on the cool silk pillow, scrunching my eyes closed as the pain continues to wrack my body.
“Look at me, little flower.” He whispers. I keep my eyes shut tight, trying to breathe through the agony. “Daisy, darling. Look at me.”
His voice is so soft that it makes me open my eyes. I turn my head slightly to meet his gaze, his eyes boring into mine.
“Good girl,” he whispers, looking into my eyes, keeping a tight hold on my hand. “Tell me your favourite movie.”
“What?” I croak.
“Tell me your favourite movie.”
“Um… Me Before You.” I pant out through gritted teeth
“What’s it about?” He asks.
I scream again, Korithax gripping my hand in his as I dig my nails into his skin. A loud crack sounds across the room, and I know one of my ribs has just fully crunched back into position.
“Focus, sweetheart. What’s it about?” He murmurs, stroking his thumb over mine.
I take a small breath, trying to focus on what he asked me. “There’s this girl, and she looks after a man who’s disabled. He’s a bit of a grumpy ass. Kinda like you.” I laugh weakly, then hiss from the pain.
He frowns, living up to the grumpy ass label. “I’ll let that one slide. Continue.”
“They fall in love. But he still chooses to die because he’s unhappy. It breaks her heart, but she supports him.”
“That sounds… fucking awful.” He replies, scrunching up his face.
“Oh, it is. I cry every time.” I smile despite the agony I’m in.
“So, why do you love it so much?” He asks, confused.
“Because it’s a beautiful story.”
He stares at me for a long moment, something unreadable in his gaze. “Then, when this is all over,” he says quietly, “we’ll watch it together.”
“I thought you didn’t want to watch movies with me, Kori.”
He flinches slightly when the nickname passes my lips, but the soft smile that follows is unmistakable. He likes it when I call him that.
“I think you’ve earned the right to torture me with one of your mortal movies after today, little flower.”
A gentle smile plays on my lips as my eyes begin to flutter closed, the pain slowly dissipating. “I’m tired, Korithax.”
“I know, my queen. You can rest now, they have finished.”
I realise that he’d just distracted me entirely through the last of the pain as I let myself drift, my body already feeling lighter. My eyes close fully, and sleep takes me.
Chapter 30
Korithax
Iremain seated at her side, just like I have the times before.
