Okay. So far this chapter has the most changes. I hope everyone likes the changes I made and enjoys it! Thank you again for reading.
The sun was just starting to light up the room when Arianna finally woke up. She blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the light coming through the windows before slowly sitting up. Feeling something on her side, she pushed the blanket away to see bandages covering the large gash she received when fleeing her home. Sighing, Arianna looked around the room, noting the lack of decoration and color. Everything was a shade of white, making the room seem much brighter than it was. Arianna sighed again, slouching into her pillows, still in disbelief that she made it to French Court. Mindlessly playing with the chain around her neck, Arianna was too lost in her thoughts to hear the seer come out of his quarters and approach her.
"Princess?" Nostradamus questioned, bringing Arianna back to the present with a start.
"Oh!" Arianna yelped, dropping her chain. "Nostradamus, I didn't hear you come out."
Nostradamus chuckled slightly. "I could tell. How're you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you." Arianna replied, nodding her thanks to the man in front of her.
Nostradamus gave her a small smile before moving to her side to change her bandages. As the cold air hit Arianna's wound, she inhaled sharply, the sting catching her off guard. Making sure she didn't show the pain she was in, Arianna sat as still as she could, watching a spec of dust dance in the sunlight trying not to think about the pain.
"It's gotten a lot better now that it's been cleaned up." Nostradamus told Arianna as he finished bandaging her side. "Luckily it wasn't infected, just irritated. However, had Sebastian and I not noticed your blood on his shirt, it could've been much worse. It should heal just fine as long as you take it easy and try not to push yourself."
Arianna released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding upon hearing that her wound wasn't infected. "Thank you for everything you've done. I was just wondering how much longer I'll be staying here. I know I haven't been here long but there are people I need to talk to." She said, trying to look strong.
"Are you in any pain?" Nostradamus asked, looking over her carefully.
"Not at all." Arianna breathed out, doing her best to hide the pain she was in.
Nostradamus gave her a look saying that he didn't believe that. "Tell the truth."
Sighing, Arianna leaned back into the bed wincing as she did. "Yes, but I can handle it."
"Well, Your Grace, you can leave soon. I'll give you something to ease the pain but you still need to take it easy. I want to make sure you are in better health before you go though. If I may ask, how are you even here?" Nostradamus asked, watching her reaction.
Bash was at the door, listening to the seer and Arianna talk. He knew if he was in there, she wouldn't have told Nostradamus how much pain she was in, not wanting Bash to worry. However, when Nostradamus asked that question, he couldn't stay hidden anymore. Opening the door, Bash watched Arianna, who was staring down at her hands lost in thought.
It seemed that she hadn't even heard him come in since she didn't look up as he came and knelt next to her. Bash took one of her hands in his and she finally noticed him.
"Ari, what happened?" Bash question, carefully watching her.
Looking up, Arianna locked eyes with Bash and he saw how terrified and broken she was. He had never seen her look this way before and his heart ached for her. Squeezing her hand, Arianna's gaze went to their intertwined fingers and Bash felt her grip tighten. He wanted to help somehow but he just quietly waited for her to speak, needing answers.
Arianna let out a shaky breath before she began. "The night of the fire, my brother, Nikolai and I had stayed up well into the night talking when I noticed that it smelled like something was burning. Quickly, Nik and I ran out of my room only to see smoke filling the hallway and flames coming towards us. Nik ran down to his room to find it half engulfed in flames and he was already running towards our parents' room before I could stop him. Before he could open the door, the room exploded, knocking Nik into the wall. I could smell his flesh burning before I even got to him. Still half conscious, I picked him up and carried him back to my room. Using my sheets, I wrapped him the best I could, packed a small bag, and escaped using the passage ways in our castle. Immediately, I got us on a horse and rode straight to the healers in Vienna. I didn't want to leave him alone but I was terrified. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go but here…"
Arianna trailed off, unable to keep going. She kept her gaze down the entire time she spoke. Bash saw wet spots starting to form on the sheets and felt her shaking when he realized what was happening. Moving from his place on the floor, Bash sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. He felt Arianna cling to him and that only made him hold her tighter.
"So that's what happened." King Henry said, announcing his presence to the room. "I'm glad to see that you are alive, Arianna. I didn't believe it when Bash first told me but here you are. I will send word that you are back from the dead. Your old room is ready for you as soon as Nostradamus releases you from his care. Sebastian, this better not make you miss Queen Mary's arrival."
Bash nodded towards his father, and without another word, King Henry left the room as did Nostradamus, leaving Bash and Arianna alone.
"I still can't believe you're really here." Bash whispered into her hair. "When I received that letter…" He trailed off, not able to finish.
Arianna pulled away, looking up at Bash and noticed how bad he looked. Dark circles were starting to form under his eyes from the lack of sleep, his beard had grown out quite a bit, but what had her attention the most was the pain she saw in his eyes. The pain she had put him through. Reaching up, Arianna put a hand on his cheek and she looked like she was about to say something but Nostradamus reentered the room.
"Arianna, take this please. It'll help with the pain." Nostradamus handed her a small vial and water.
Arianna did as she was told as Bash made his way back to the chair next to her bed.
"Here." Nostradamus handed Arianna a plate with bread on it. "As soon as you eat something and you feel you have your strength back, you may leave."
"Thank you very much for all you have done." Arianna said, truly grateful for the man's help.
"It is not a problem, my lady. If you feel bad in any way though, please come back and see me. Sebastian, see to it she eats something before she leaves. I know you have her best interest at heart." Nostradamus said, giving Bash a stern look.
Bash nodded his thanks to Nostradamus as he exited the room, leaving him and Arianna alone again. She quickly downed the water not realizing how thirsty she was. Bash held back a laugh seeing her drain the cup all at once. Blushing, Arianna put the cup down but made no move to touch the bread.
"Ari, you need to eat something." Bash said, trying to convince her to eat
"I know. I'm not all that hungry is all." was all her reply was.
Bash gave her a look that clearly said he was not buying a word of that statement before he scooted his chair closer to her cot. Carefully, Bash took the piece of bread and broke it into smaller pieces. He grabbed her hand and placed two of them in her palm.
"Please eat something. I see how thin you've become and it frightens me a little. You need to eat, Aria. Plus, you heard Nostradamus. Once you eat, you may leave. Don't you want to be in your room again?" Bash said, trying to help.
She gave him a small smile, nodding. Slowly, she started eating the pieces of bread he had given her, but as soon as she took that first bite, she realized how hungry she really was. Within a matter of minutes, she devoured what Bash had given her and what was left on the plate.
Bash laughed, seeing how fast she had gone from saying she wasn't hungry to inhaling the bread. She noticed his laughter and covered her mouth with her hands, trying to act a little more ladylike. Though, he did see a small smile appear on his lips and that caused him to smile himself, ecstatic that Arianna was starting to be more herself.
"There, isn't that better?" Bash asked, watching her nod with a mouth full of bread. "Do you feel strong enough to make it to your room?"
"I think I can manage." Arianna replied as she threw the blankets off of her.
All to quickly, Arianna stood up and pain shot through her body, catching her off guard and causing her to stumble a little. Bash stood immediately and steadied Arianna, pulling her into his side.
"I got you, don't worry." Bash reassured, holding her close to his chest. She leaned into his embrace, not wanting to stumble again. Instinctively, he rested his head atop of hers, kissing the top of it. He had told himself that he would get answers before he jumping back into anything but he couldn't help it with her. They fit together, and while she was gone, he felt like he was missing a part of himself. With her back at his side, he finally felt whole again.
Feeling the kiss, Arianna turned up and looked at him, but Bash couldn't place what emotion was on her face. Was she upset that he had done that? He couldn't tell and her intense stare was starting to make him nervous. Clearing his throat, he pushed opened the door and led her to her room.
