Page 58 of His Queen

She looks up at me. "You came for me."

“I nod. ‘Of course I did. Always, Rose. I will always come for you,’ I say, holding her a little tighter in my arms.”

"Thank you, Demetrius, thank you for everything."

"Don't thank me, Rose. You know I would do anything for you and Vlad. Just get some rest. Vlad, you need to make her eat. I got her cleaned up. But I couldn't bring myself to force her to eat. They should release you in a few days. After that, we have to discuss what happens next. I brought some of your things for when you get out." He smiles at me.

"Thank you," I say and then look down at Rose. She is fast asleep in my arms. I kiss her head, letting my lips linger, pulling the blanket over her, and kissing her again.

"She looks better than she did when we found her," Demetrius says. "But you still look like shit."

"How is she?"

He lets out a long sigh and shakes his head. "Not good. They really did a number on her. I had the men gather, the ones who were still alive. I have Salvatore in a box with a note ready to be shipped back to the Don. I want to deal with him my way."

I nod. "I know you do. I will help you."

"You won't be helping anything. You need to heal and help Rose heal. What would you like done about the others?"

I shake my head. "I need to know what happened to her."

He nods with a knowing look. "I understand. I told the doctor what I could, but they knew to let it go. I need to arrange some things. I will be back later to check on the both of you."

"Thank you, brother. I appreciate you taking care of her when I couldn't."

He nods "Always. You are my brother, and my second in command. If there is anything you need, I am here." He gives me a nod and then walks out of the room.

I find solace in knowing that Rose is here and safe, but I can’t shake off the fear of her being taken away from me. The thought of her enduring such a situation without my protection weighs heavily on my mind. I lie back down, shutting my eyes. I yearn for sleep, yet dread waking up without her by my side. My thoughts are consumed by what transpired, endlessly wondering if I could have altered the outcome. It pains me to know that she has suffered, even though I understand that there was nothing I could have done at that moment.

That doesn't stop the guilt that creeps over me. I know she was a prisoner for days. I know they forced her to do things I can't even think about. I want to kill every man who touched her. I want to burn their bodies in a pit of fire. I want them to suffer the way she suffered. Now I completely understand why Demetrius did the things he did to anyone who touched Luna. I understand his rage. I understand his pain. I will do anything to protect Rose. I would rather die than let anyone take her from me. I lay here with her sleeping beside me and tried as hard as I could to push the thoughts from my head. I close my eyes and try to sleep, but it never comes.

Chapter 38

Rose

IwakeuptoVlad, gently shaking me. It's dark outside. I must have slept the entire day.

"You need to eat, Rose."

I shake my head. "No, I am fine."

"Rose, you haven't eaten." He says.

"I can't eat. Every time I try, I feel sick."

He sighs. "Try, anyway. I can't take care of you if you don't eat."

"I am fine, Vlad. I just need more sleep." I say as I close my eyes again.

“I won’t allow you to suffer from hunger. Taking care of yourself is essential for both your well-being and my recovery,” he insists, his voice filled with determination.

I sit up and look at him. "I’m so sorry. I take full responsibility, Vlad. It’s all my fault. If only you hadn’t come, none of this would have occurred."

He shakes his head "No, Rose. This isn't your fault. It isn't your fault that Salvatore is an evil bastard or that your own father sold you to him."

I shake my head. "Vlad please, I don't want to talk about this."

"Rose, please don't shut me out. I need you to talk to me. I need to know what happened so we can heal together. So that I can help you heal."

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