Chapter 19

-Two Nights Later-

Myssa still languished in a coma. Kendra continued to take excellent care of her. She seemed to always be around. Byakuya kept watch over Myssa and read her journals to her in the hope that hearing her memories would help her find her way back.

Byakuya couldn't sleep. He stood on the large balcony outside of Myssa's room. The night was clear. He stared at the moon, wishing she were awake to share the lovely night with him. He'd read the medical reports Kendra had shown him and Xanthan. There was nothing to give any clue to her deteriorated condition.

Kendra stepped out onto the balcony. Byakuya had become familiar with her reiatsu and felt her presence. He turned to find her standing a few feet away in a pale, yellow robe. Her blonde hair, usually kept up in a bun, was now free and spilling around her shoulders. She stepped forward and joined him at the railing. "Trouble sleeping, my lord?"

His voice was quiet. "Yes. You?"

"Just one last check on the princess before I turn in."

"Thank you for taking such good care of Myssa." He said. "And thank you for the care you gave me after my birthright process."

She looked up at him, "I'm surprised you remember. You were in and out of consciousness so much, and there were other healers that helped too."

A memory flashed in his mind. He remembered Kendra had been among the women that Xanthan had offered to ease his needs during his awakening. "You were one of the women offered to…" He trailed off, regretting instantly bringing up such an embarrassing moment.

She finished for him, "…to have sex with you. Yes, after caring for you, I told the king I wanted to help with your awakening." She took a step toward him. "When you said that you wanted none of us, I was ashamed, I thought you found me undesirable. But, then I understood that you were being honorable." She opened her robe and let if fall, revealing her completely nude form. "Lord Kuchiki, I have loved you from the moment I saw you."

Byakuya bent down, picked up Kendra's robe, and tried to tuck it around her. When his arms spread to bring the robe around her, she pressed herself to him and tried to kiss him. He turned his head away. Gently, yet firmly, he pushed her away. "Kendra, this is highly inappropriate. I do not have feelings for you beyond gratitude for the care you have given me and Myssa."

"S – Surely you find me beautiful. I can be your mistress." She tried to touch his face, but he intercepted her hand. "The princess would understand; all the royal men have lovers."

He stepped back, dropped her hand, and made his voice sterner, "I am not like the royal men of this realm. I desire only one woman in my heart and in my bed. That is Myssa, not you. Never speak of this again."

Tears flooded her eyes. She quickly put her robe on and spat angrily, "Your precious princess will never wake up – I've seen to that!"

His brows furrowed. "What did you do to her?" Kendra tried to run for the door back into the bedroom, but Byakuya's voice rang out, "Bakudo 61, Rikujokoro." Six beams of golden light crisscrossed at Kendra's mid-section and anchored her to the spot.

Tamor, awakened by raised voices, flew out to see what the commotion was all about. "Lord Kuchiki, what's going on?"

Byakuya explained Kendra's confession then sent Tamor to fetch Xanthan and Renji.

A few minutes later, Xanthan arrived with two guards. Renji was right behind them with Tamor hovering close. Xanthan demanded that she tell him what she had done to Myssa. She told them all that she had poisoned Myssa, that by the time the healers figured out what she had done Myssa would be dead. They would only get answers from an autopsy. The words had just left her mouth when Byakuya barked at Renji to return to the Soul Society to get Captain Kotetsu. He was wasting no time getting the best person to help Myssa.

Tamor shifted to his battle size, Renji jumped on his back and both disappeared through a summoned gateway headed to the Soul Society.

Xanthan gave Kendra one last chance to save her neck by telling them what she had used to poison Myssa. She looked Byakuya straight in the eye and told them all to burn in Hell. Xanthan had her dragged down to the dungeon. There was nothing for them to do but wait.

-An Hour Later-

Tamor and Renji returned from the Soul Society with Isane Kotetsu and Hanataro Yamada. Introductions were quick and Byakuya thanked them for coming while walking them into Myssa's room. Isane sent everyone from the room so she and Hanataro could work without anyone hovering or distracting them.

Xanthan, Byakuya, Renji, and Tamor all settled in the anteroom attached to Myssa's bedroom. A servant brought some refreshments. The men talked for a little while but soon began to give in to slumber.

-Hours Later, Just After Dawn-

Isane woke Xanthan to lead him into Myssa's bedroom. Tamor woke and followed. They saw Myssa sitting on the balcony in the morning light. Tears made wet trails down Xanthan's cheeks as he hugged and kissed her. Tamor was a sniffling mess too. She assured them both that she was all right and would join everyone for breakfast in the great hall. She asked about Kendra. Xanthan told her that she would be tried for treason and then executed.

On their way out to deliver the good news to the rest of the family, Xanthan and Tamor woke Byakuya and Renji.

"Is she all right? Is she awake?" Byakuya asked.

Xanthan smiled, "Go and see your yourself."

He and Renji walked into the bedroom. Isane and Hanataro were cleaning up and gathering all their things. Renji moved to help them. Isane gave Byakuya a smile, "Good morning, Captain Kuchiki."

"Good morning, Captain Kotetsu. Where is Myssa?" He had expected her to still be in bed.

"She's out on the balcony." Still smiling. "She's a tough one, your princess."

"More than you know. Were you able to determine what caused the coma?"

Isane nodded. "The analysis of her blood showed that a powerful drug was given to her. She metabolizes things so quickly, I'm fairly certain it was administered at regular intervals. Once she didn't get the next dose, she just woke up."

"And the poison?"

"We were able to make an antidote based on the blood analysis. She is a little weak from the poison's effects. With her rapid healing ability, she should be in perfect health in about an hour. I trust you will see that she doesn't push herself too much until she's fully recovered?"

"I won't let her out of my sight." He said then walked out onto the balcony.

Myssa stood at the stone railing, her face up to the sun, eyes closed, her hair gently trailing behind her in the breeze. She wore a lavender silk dress that billowed around her thighs in the wind. Every so often a gust would lift the dress just a little bit higher. Byakuya caught a glimpse of lavender panties with purple butterflies. He chuckled and shook his head. She was so innocent and so damned sexy he could hardly stand it.

"Nice panties." His voice was laced with mirth. "Your purple butterflies are quite pretty."

Myssa turned, a playful grin on her lips, "I'll buy you a pair the next time I visit Karakura Town."

He chuckled and joined her at the railing. He wasted no time with words, he gathered her into his arms. He hugged her tight, his face in her hair, his voice soft in her ear, "I was so worried…" Emotion stole the rest what he wanted to say.

Myssa shook in his arms, "I could hear you but I couldn't reach you." Being in his arms was heaven. Tucked against his powerful chest, there was no place she felt safer.

Reality came crashing in. A thought jumped to the front of her mind. He's marrying Keiko! He wasn't hers and never would be. She felt sick to her stomach. She pulled away, backing up against the rail, out of his reach. Tears shimmered in her eyes, her face covered in misery.

"Myssa, what is wrong?" He reached out to draw her back into his embrace.

She took a half-step back and he stopped, "I – I just remembered – you're marrying Keiko."

"Myssa, I – " He began, but her brothers and Abby boiled out of her bedroom and onto the balcony.

Abby was weeping. Rygar was the first to get his hands on Myssa. He swept her up in a hug that lifted her right off the ground. He dropped kisses all over her face. Her tears quickly disappeared to be replaced with smiles. She was passed from brother to brother and ended up in Abby's clutches. Abby squeezed so tight she drove the breath from Myssa's lungs. They were all speaking over each other in dragonspeak. Happy jabbering that made Byakuya want to scream for silence. He had to set Myssa straight, had to tell her he loved her.

Byakuya didn't get the chance to talk to Myssa. He was swept along with her and her family to join the court for breakfast in the great hall.

Everyone was present for breakfast, including Isane and Hanataro. Myssa was swarmed with hugs and well-wishes. Byakuya felt a twinge of jealousy when she kissed Renji on the lips and thanked him for his part in her rescue. He was even just a bit jealous when she did it Rukia too. He wanted his kiss and a chance to steal her away.

Seated across from Myssa at the high table, Byakuya was calm and collected on the outside while churning on the inside.

After breakfast, Abby pulled Byakuya aside to give him a velvet box. The royal jeweler had finished Myssa's ring and delivered it to Abby shortly after dawn. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry he'd ever seen. He couldn't wait to see it on Myssa's finger.

He asked Abby to keep Myssa busy until dinner. He told her his plans. She was so happy she kissed him right on the cheek then laughed at his shocked look.

Next, Byakuya went to the kitchens to talk to Omija. She agreed to help him with a special dinner and with helpers to make his plan a reality. After training one day, Rygar had shown Byakuya Myssa's favorite place in the palace grounds. It was a private glade tucked away next to a gentle waterfall that emptied into a natural pool large enough to swim or bathe in. He planned to surprise Myssa with an after dark picnic in the glade. Omija would make sure that his vision of comfort and lighting was perfect.