"All of them?!"
Diana grimaced, "With the ship in the port, the influx has been more than we expected, as you’re aware, and thedamage was massive to say the least. They had to send several healers home this morning due to their utter exhaustion.”
“What of my patients from last night?” Althea asked, straightening the files.
“They have all either been sent home or are resting comfortably,” Diana said, her eyes darting past Althea, as if she wanted to run away.
Althea tipped her head in a curt nod, giving Diana the out she so badly wanted, and waved her off, shifting the dozens of files stacked in her arms so that she could flip open the top chart. ALEX MONROE was written in clear, precise ink.
She heaved a heavy sigh. “I guess I’ll start with you, Mr. Monroe.”
Althea walked calmly down the hall, going over the file, deftly avoiding the hustle of people moving around her. She glanced up upon entering the room and gasped.
"Alexandria?! What? How? Why? And where is my niece?" Althea pulled up short and put a lid on the outpouring of words when her eyes reached the brooding redhead looming in the corner of the room. It seemed the feeling was mutual as he stepped forward defensively, taking up the space between her and Alexandria.
“Alexandria? You mean Alex? Who are you?” His body language spoke much louder than his voice. Something in his tone set her on edge, causing her defenses to snap into place. Althea smoothed her facial expressions to an impassive and uninterested look, her lavender eyes unwavering on his.
“I’m the Clinical Healer assigned to her care.”
Ignoring the both of them and their miniature stand off, Alex brought Althea’s attention back to her with a frustrated whisper, "Nice to see you too, Althea."
Althea’s expression softened but only slightly, her eyes darting back to the man who deemed it necessary to shield Alexfrom her. She took in his stance and the sword at his side. She wasn’t going to continue this conversation in present company.
“It’s okay, Davin.” Alex said quietly, turning her head to look over at him.
He shifted his eyes to meet hers, his hesitation evident. “Just give us a moment or two.” Alex paused before adding, “Please?”
A loaded look passed between them, an undeniable tension that Althea couldn’t help but notice. She had to believe that her brother would have informed her about this new development. It was possible that she was misreading the heated exchange, due to her weariness, but unlikely. After a moment, he shifted, moving past her, a pointed look fixed upon hers as he let the door close between them.
“First of all, Monroe?” Althea asked with a raised eyebrow, barely waiting for the door to fully close behind her.
Alex cringed, ducking her head in embarrassment. Althea just waited, giving her a moment to process.
“It’s complicated.” Alex sighed.
"Explain." Althea stated simply, “I’ve got time.” Her hands moved to lift Althea’s gown, exposing her bandages. Alex succinctly explained, in a hushed voice, her search for Rivka, Vivian’s underhanded accusations against Queen Sophiana and King Consort Evanar, and her demands that Alex hunt her down. She explained of her journey thus far and how her injuries had come to pass but decidedly left out any details that should not be overheard. The last thing any of them needed was more fuel for Vivian’s vendetta.
Althea listened as she cleaned out Alex’s wound, only asking questions when she needed something clarified. She already knew most of what Alexandria was divulging but she needed to hear it from the source, and not just hearsay. It was like a knife twisting in her gut to hear Alexandria’s firsthand account of the torture her brother was enduring. Vivian had always had a cruel streak, especially when it came to Sophiana and Evanar. She had never quite gotten over the embarrassment of that rejection, and now it seemed she was finally acting out her revenge.
It hadn’t escaped her attention, though, that Alexandria continued to dance around, talking about the gorgeous hunk of a man who was very obviously protective of her. One might say there were even deep feelings hidden there.
“And what about Mr. I’m going to stare you down until you do as I say?” Althea casually threw that question at Alex while ensuring that the healers on the med ship hadn’t overlooked any other injuries.
A blush stole up her cheeks as Alex huffed out an exasperated breath. “Mr. Saved my life more times than I care to admit? Yeah, he can be trusted but he is not aware of my…” Her voice became barely audible, her eyes darting to the door, as if making sure no one was there listening. “…attachment to my Queen.”
Althea nodded, not pushing the subject. Very few knew the true nature of Alex and Rivka’s relationship; it was still best kept a secret.
“Considering how often it looks like you’ve ripped open your wound, I’m surprised it’s managed to heal up a bit. It’ll only need a few stitches. But that does not mean that you can continue with your antics.” Althea’s tone was quiet but serious, letting her know without a doubt that she spoke with conviction. “And that man out there, regardless of who he is or why he’s here, is fiercely loyal to you. I don’t know why, and at this point, it does not matter. Right now, you need his protection.”
Alex jerked forward in bed, but Althea held up her hand before continuing on. “And before you argue, because I know you will, you are better off with any and all helpoffered to you than you are if you push yourself to the breaking point. You will not help Rivka that way, and if finding her is your goal, as you say it is, tuck that pride back away, and accept that you cannot do this alone.” She took a breath and then added, “Let me grab my supplies. I’ll be back with a novice to stitch you up. Do not get out of that bed.”
Alex
Althea spoke all of that without a single note of volume raised and yet Alex felt rightfully chastised. Next to her father, Althea was the only one who could break her defenses and force her to look at what was laid bare, and she knew it. Althea meant well, and honestly, she was right. Finding Rivka was what was most important, and she couldn’t do it alone. Not anymore. She needed him.
Swinging the door open to leave, Althea had to sidestep Davin as he rushed back in, his gaze locking with Alex’s, unanswered questions hovering on his lips. Alex wasn’t sure if he’d heard any of their conversation but she owed him at least a few more truths. Lying back on her pillow, she readied for the onslaught.Three…..Two……
“How does she know you, Alex? Or should I say Alexandria?” Davin asked, right on cue. “Who is this niece she speaks of?”
