I just nod, unable to vocally answer.
He leans down, hovering above me, and places a gentle kiss on the top of my head before taking off, leaving me alone. Now, if only the darkness would consume me again, then I would truly be in my happy place.
* * *
Three Weeks Post Intended Wedding Day
“Princess Lilly,”Runa says. “I need to change your sheets. Do you think you could sit on your settee for now?”
I roll my head to the side, looking up at her, my head feeling dizzy from lack of nutrition, lack of fluids.
“I can’t,” I say, my eyes blinking, trying to focus on Runa.
“Princess Lilly,” she says, her voice growing more stern. “Are you okay?” She lifts my hand in hers, and it feels lifeless. I tell myself to grip her, to let her know that I’m okay, but I can’t as my brain rolls in and out of consciousness.
“Lara,” Runa shouts. “Get the doctor.”
Feet traipse around me, and Runa lifts me, forcing me to look her in the eyes. “Lilly,” she says, shaking me, forgetting all formalities. “Talk to me. Let me know that you’re okay.”
My head rolls to the side, my body limp.
“Diz—dizzy,” I say. “Don’t . . . shake.”
Runa lays me down but peels the sheets and comforter off me, as her fingers go to my pulse at my wrist. I let her examine me, not thinking much of it, and when the doctor rushes in, she rattles off my symptoms, telling him I’m barely ingesting any food or liquids. That I’m in and out of consciousness all day.
He moves around me, checking my vitals, and issues an IV stat. That’s the last thing I hear before my mind drifts off again.
* * *
A Month Post Intended Wedding Day
“That’s it,”Runa says as she scoops another spoonful of soup and lifts it to my mouth. “It’s good, isn’t it?”
I nod as I swallow the beef broth. “It is.”
She smiles, helping me with another spoonful.
After I woke up again from a deep darkness, Runa told me that I was losing weight and fast, that I was dangerously dehydrated, and if I didn’t do what I was told to do, I could easily lose my life. When she told me that and her voice cracked—Runa, my rock during this time, emotional—I knew I had to pull it together for her.
I still have an IV drip in, but I’ve been able to keep some soup down, and even though I’m still in my bed, at least I’m not wasting away.
“Would you like some bread?” she asks.
“No, just the soup.”
“Very well, but you will be eating that potato. I don’t want to hear about it. After last week, I’m not taking it easy on you. I’ll be damned if you turn into dust on my watch.”
That makes me chuckle, startling Runa right out of her dress.
She drops the spoon in the soup and asks, “Did you . . . did you just laugh?”
“It was a mistake.”
Runa smirks and taps her finger to my leg. “Oh no, you don’t, that was a genuine laugh. I might be on my way to curing you after all.”
“If anyone can do it, it’s you, Runa.”
* * *
