The doctor came in, clipboard in hand. He was shaking his head. "This one lasted only four weeks, again." He sighed.
Queen Vasilisa nodded, worried. "Is she healed? New serum injected?"
The doctor nodded. "Yes. And she has been here for three weeks," he confirmed.
"Okay. And how long until she needs to come back?"
"We'll give this two weeks, if they have sexual intercourse tonight."
"And you're sure her body won't reject the serum?" Lissa wanted to make sure it was safe.
The doctor nodded again. "Yes. It has been in her system for a full 24 hours now. Her body has had no reaction."
Lissa sighed with relief. "Alright, take me to her."
She followed the doctor to where the sleeping girl lay in a hospital bed, sleeping peacefully. Lissa put her hands on the girl's head. Concentrating fiercely for a moment, she began pushing images into the girl's mind. Images of battling with Strigoi, of falling guardians, the survivors coming back, the various ways she got her wounds which were now healed. She filled the girl's head with pictures, memories, the things she took from movies, actual battles, books, stories. When Lissa was satisfied that the girl would be satisfied with the memories, she let her go.
As Lissa waited for the girl to wake up, she caressed her five month stomach.
The girl's eyelids fluttered open. The girl stretched, yawning, before her eyes landed on Lissa. The girl's eyes flashed with sadness and envy for a brief moment as they saw her stomach round with child, but it was gone in the next blink.
"Hey, Liss," Rose said, smiling up at her best friend.
Lissa smiled, letting concern show on her face. "How do you feel, Rose?"
"Like I just went five rounds with a super old Strigoi then got healed by someone." Rose gave her a chastising look. "You're pregnant, Liss. You shouldn't be healing anyone."
Lissa squeezed her hand gently. "It's not me I'm worried about."
"It should be," Rose's voice turned sharp. "It's not only you you have to be worried about now."
The slightest traced of bitterness could be heard in her voice.
"I know," Lissa said softly. She stood up. "You can go whenever."
"Thanks, Lissa!" Rose got off the bed as Lissa left the room.
That bit of sadness, envy, and bitterness was the reason why Lissa did what she did. Because if she could give her best friend what she desired most, she would do it in a heart beat. Even if that involved secrecy and lies.