Chapter Five

"Thank the gods you are alright, my lady." Devlin's voice washed over her and she soaked it up like a person dying of thirst. Rhiannon had missed him so much. Somehow, it felt right to wake up to his voice.

"What happened, Devlin?" Her voice cracked a little from disuse, but Devlin understood her perfectly. She opened her eyes slowly, squinting against the light. She felt hideous and she was pretty sure the guy at her side was perfectly perfect.

She would've given a disgust snort, if she didn't feel so groggy.

He walked around her bed and gave her a glass of cool water.

It soothed her dry throat.

She knew she should've pushed his hand away and grabbed the glass for herself, like a nice modern girl. But if she was being completely truthful herself, she liked being taken care of. Rhiannon was touched by Devlin's caring gesture, especially when he lifted her head to allow her to drink better.

"You fainted and no one was able to wake you."

Rhiannon could hear the silent not even me, that Devlin added to the end of the sentence. She wanted to reassure him but she didn't think he wanted her reassurance at the moment, she sat up.

"I fainted. That's all? That isn't a big deal, dude. Trust me. People do that all the time. What was with the whole 'thank the gods you're alright' thing? Don't you think your worry is just a tad bit exaggerated?" Rhiannon laughed half-heartedly, wrapping her arms around her knees.

Devlin shifted from one foot to the other. "It's not the fact you fainted that had everyone - not just me, worried mia tesoro."

Rhiannon's eyes widened as comprehension filled her dark eyes. All grogginess fled as she observed the room around her.

It was only then she noticed her surroundings, she was in a huge sterile room. Doctors hurried past as nurses dashed after them, murmuring to themselves and taking notes. Her clothes were neatly folded on a seat across from her bed. Rhiannon had no idea how she'd gotten here.

The room smelt strangely of pastries and detergent. But she was certain that was only because Devlin was standing so close to her.

She felt heat rush to her cheeks.

"How long have I been out?" Rhiannon insisted.

"A fortnight."

"Holy cow."

"My thoughts exactly."

He started pacing back and forth, deep in thought.

He was silent for so long that all Rhiannon could do was hope he'd speak soon. Rhiannon got dizzy from watching him and his ceaseless circles. She was hardly going to just sit around and look pretty.

"Do you care to share? Or are you going to keep all this to yourself?" She asked, swinging her legs down before softly touching the floor. It was so cold. She couldn't place her toes on the floor without wincing.

"What do you think you're doing?" A voice demanded from the doorway.

Rhiannon peeked back to see a man in still in his prime, about forty. Tall, with broad shoulders and a trim waist, he was obviously a man who took care of himself. His well groomed hair was blond and wavy, his face familiar but she couldn't figure out how.

"I was getting out of bed last time I checked." Rhiannon retorted. She wanted to leave and no monster doctor was going to keep her doing just that. A hospital room was not a prison.

She could come and go as she wanted.

"Why didn't you call a nurse as soon as she woke up? Any manner of injury could've happened to her if she had left too early and without at least a basic check up." Monster Doc didn't address her anymore, he looked directly at Devlin.

For a second she thought that there was special about this doctor, that maybe he could see Devlin. She realised that Devlin was probably in human mode, since he hardly blinked when the Monster Doc talked to him.

Monster Doc stared at her locket for a second, frowning. "Why are you wearing that in here? All jewellery must be removed, in case in reduces circulation. I'll hold onto it until you can leave."

"It's very precious to her and I think she will be able to leave very soon, so there's no real point in taking it is there?" Devlin jumped in.

The doctor moved to speak but Devlin quickly kept going.

"And I'm sorry, sir. I was in another world. I didn't even notice that she had attempted to leave. If I had I would certainly have notified a nurse. I would've held myself personally responsible if anything happened to her." Devlin looked so stern, that she could almost see how old he was.

He was so youthful and alive most of the time, that it was almost impossible to realise that he was thousands of years old. It was disconcerting seeing how old he was without the lines that would've given away anyone else.

"Even so, you should've at least called in a nurse to give her the once over as soon as she had woken up. Miss Graceling's just been in a mini coma, young man. For no apparent reason and you don't seem in the least bit concerned."

Devlin's hands curled into fists at his sides. "Of course I'm concerned. What type of monster wouldn't be? And she is no longer in a 'mini' coma, she's awake. I just don't understand why she needs to be 'checked up', especially when she's perfectly healthy and strong."

"This is all based on your expert opinion, is it?" Monster Doc sneered at Devlin. He crossed his arms over his strong chest. He did remind her of someone, Rhiannon couldn't for the life of her remember who, but it was really starting to frustrate her.

"No, but all you need to do is take one look at her and you can tell she's absolutely fine. She's made of tougher stuff than you modern doctors think. She's not made of glass, you know." Devlin spat, in disgust. Rhiannon was glad that Devlin didn't want her to spend any more time in hospital.

She found them... uncomfortable. It was something about the smell. It wasn't the sterile, clean smell that most people associate with hospitals. No, it was something else. It wasn't really her nose that sensed it but smell was the closest thing to a description she could get. They smelt too much like death and sickness for her liking, but maybe that was just her.

Rhiannon shuddered, but it wasn't because of the cold.

"I beg to differ, and what's this business about modern –"

"Hey, I think I can leave whenever I want. Check up or no, I can make my own decisions about my health. And I say I'm as fit as a fiddle." Rhiannon spoke up, suddenly.

She didn't like it how they seemed to be talking about her like she wasn't in the room. She raised an eyebrow at the both of them.

"Unless I'm a prisoner here, Doctor...?"

Monster Doc didn't seem to hesitate. The kind doctor even had the righteousness to look a bit taken aback. "Doctor Peter Hart and no, of course not." He shot her a fake smile.

The name and the face suddenly clicked. He definitely did remind her of the deadly Allegra Hart, even the superiority that exuded from his skin. "Good. Now if you don't mind I'd like you both to leave, gentlemen."

"I can't leave you in this room alone. What if something happens?" Devlin refused, as stubbornly as a mule. He leant against the calming blue wall and Rhiannon almost laughed. Her fainting had hurt his pride somehow. She wished she could hear what he was thinking, she was pretty sure it would have been hilarious.

"He has a point. Someone should be watching to see your progress. You shouldn't be in a hospital room by yourself." Doctor Hart ceded grudgingly. He didn't like admitting that Devlin was right, not in the slightest and Devlin was enjoying every minute of it.

Even if he didn't show it.

"Actually I was hoping I could change. And changing in front of grown men isn't exactly my strong suit." She smiled sweetly.

Devlin and Doctor Hart were decent enough to blush. It served them right for trying to take the decisions out of her hands. Rhiannon eventually kicked them out after Doctor Hart did a few little checkups on her, because he had insisted. The guy really cared too much for comfort.

Rhiannon kept silent the whole time, it wasn't easy but she did it. The silent treatment always makes everyone involved uncomfortable but Doctor Hart would live.

She threw on her skinny jeans and khaki hoodie, tying her black steel-capped boots with a flourish. Rhiannon felt grimy but she'd just grin and bear it.

She felt like she was ready for nearly anything.

Rhiannon flung back the door in her excitement and bumped into a wall of flesh. It would seem I can't let my guard down for five seconds without falling onto my ass, she thought ruefully. Kian smiled down at her crookedly, a bunch of flowers crumpled in his hand.

"Are those for me?" Rhiannon laughed.

She lay back on the ground, staring up at him.

Something in his eyes screamed an apology, she wondered why. It was only there for a second, it flickered like a flame and then it was gone. It disappeared so fast that Rhiannon wondered if she'd imagined it.

He leaned casually against the door frame, bearing an air of bold confidence.

"Actually, no. They're for my ailing great grandmother next door. She's very old and brittle but the thought of me bringing her, barely alive store bought flowers is the sole sunshine in her otherwise dreary day." Kian swore. He hand over his heart, he looked completely sincere.

Rhiannon didn't believe him for a second.

He even had the audacity to wipe away an invisible tear from the corner of his eye. Rhiannon kicked him playfully on the shin and he fell on the ground next to her.

"What's your great grandmother's maiden name?" Rhiannon asked nonchalantly, staring at her nails at different angles, before eyeing him suspiciously. He looked completely collected but she was pretty sure she could crack him.

"Um, why? I hardly think that's relevant."

"To the contrary it's very relevant. I'd like to send my regards to her with some flowers, maybe a card or two. I mean, she'd have to be a pretty good great grandmother to deserve the support of the one and only Kian." She waved her hands around him.

"Bennet. First name Elizabeth." He said confidently, not even blinking an eye. Rhiannon had to admit, he was quite the actor. If she didn't already know that he'd stolen that name from Pride and Prejudice.

"Oh, really now? Maybe we should check with her right now, you know just in case, she'll miss her little ray of sunshine." She tapped him on the nose with her finger, before leaping onto her feet.

"Rhiannon."

"Yes." She cooed.

"I have a confession to make." Kian stated seriously, humour shining in his Caribbean blue eyes. He got to his feet and placed a hand on hers. She felt warm tingles travel up her arm but she ignored it.

Rhiannon acted as shocked as she could.

"A confession? What could you possibly have to confess about?" Rhiannon placed the back of her hand to her forehead theatrically, turning her face away from him. She probably looked like one of those characters from her grandmother's soap operas.

"Well, there's not easy way to say this but my great grandmother is not really Elizabeth Bennet. In fact there is no great grandmother in the next room and these flowers are really for you."

"You mean it's all been a lie." Rhiannon gasped loudly. She placed a hand on her cheek for added effect. Kian's lips curled at the edges but he still kept a straight face. The guy was tough, she could give him that but everyone has their limits. She was going to make him laugh if it was the last thing she did.

"Yes. A horrible, terrible lie. Will you ever find it in yourself to forgive me?" Kian pleaded, getting on his knees. He tugged at her hand and she stumbled. She tried to steady herself but ended up falling with more force onto Kian. He tumbled backwards trying to support her weight. All the eyes in the hospital were on them, Rhiannon blushed scarlet.

A few nurses shook their heads disapprovingly.

He laughed wholeheartedly. "I said forgive me, not jump me. I know I'm a catch but no need to force yourself onto me. Jeez, Rhiannon all you had to do was ask."

Rhiannon glared up at him from his chest. When she'd said she'd make him laugh this wasn't exactly what she meant. He looked so adorable, but she didn't particularly want to give him any ideas. Kian grinned and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.

She remembered that she hadn't brushed her teeth, had a shower or combed her hair for two weeks and here she was breathing on him. Rhiannon jumped to her feet for the second time that day and she didn't want to make it a third.

She felt so cold but that was probably because Kian had been warm. She felt deprived of that warmth.

He was so warm. He'd practically scorched her skin.

"Rhiannon!" A little old English lady pulled her into a tight embrace that restricted any kind of breathing she was hoping to do. Rhiannon found herself hugging her grandmother tightly back. Gran really cared and she'd probably been through hell the last two weeks, Rhiannon couldn't believe she'd forgotten her when she'd woken up.

"Gran." Rhiannon whispered into her grandmother's snowy white hair. She smelt like vanilla and the oats that she ate every morning. Her grandmother untangled herself from Rhiannon, managing to keep one arm wrapped around her waist.

Rhiannon wouldn't have traded her grandmother for the world.

"Who's this strapping young man, Rhiannon?"

Well, at least not on most days.

"Um, Gran this is –" Rhiannon sure was glad that her grandmother hadn't seen the very compromising situation, Kian had gotten her into just a minute before or she'd be in deep trouble. Gran didn't say anything but Rhiannon knew she struggled with the fact that Rhiannon was so reserved.

She'd love it, if Rhiannon got a social life outside of Deidre.

"I'm Kian, ma'am. I go to Rhiannon's school. I just wanted to give her these flowers and wish her a safe recovery. Little did I know that she was perfectly fine. It's nice to finally meet you. I must say there are very few women who are as beautiful as you when they're forty."

Her grandmother's eyes fell onto the beautiful bouquet in his hands and she smiled warmly at him. Rhiannon could see the calculating stir behind her grandmother's dark eyes, she wanted to knock herself out and save herself the embarrassment.

"You can call me Viviane. Any friend of Rhiannon's is a friend of mine. I'm sixty-five years old and proud of the fact. It'll do you good to remember that. I really do wonder why my granddaughter has never mentioned you. You seem quite the handsome young man." Her grandmother was up to her old tricks, last time this had happened Rhiannon had ended up on a date with the male cashier at the theatre.

It was the most embarrassing time of her life.

"Why thank you, Viviane but I think it's because you're just a little too old for me." Kian winked at Gran cockily, before kissing her hand. Her grandmother smacked him playfully on the cheek.

"I'm not that old but I think we both know someone who's just the right age for you." Gran grinned slyly.

"Gran!" Rhiannon shouted despairingly.

Her grandmother continued to grin at Kian in a knowing way. She really didn't have any shame, none at all. It was almost like she was a matchmaking machine.

"You know, my dear I think I should get you something to eat. You've barely eaten anything in two weeks. I don't want you going into another fainting spell. I won't stand for someone in my family to go hungry, not even for a second." Gran winked at Kian and walked confidently off towards the canteen. Rhiannon was pretty damn sure the old hag wasn't coming back for a while.

"I'm sorry about Gran. She's a little bit eccentric. It takes people a while to get used to her. Deidre took at least a month. She thinks she's got the matchmaking powers of a goddess. It's a bit hard to handle sometimes." Rhiannon chuckled, mussing up her hair a bit. It was awkward talking to someone her grandmother had called handsome, even if it was the truth.

"I thought she was really nice. She's confident and beautiful. What I imagine you'd look like in forty years or so." He threw her a searching look and she felt heat burning against her cheeks. Rhiannon wasn't quite sure that she liked the way Kian looked at her, it was so... She couldn't find the words for it but it was unnatural, beyond normal.

It did stupid things to her body and made her heart do little back flips.

"I'm sorry I was for gone so long, that doctor would not leave me alone and – Oh, who's this Rhiannon?" Devlin's voice startled her and she jumped apart from Kian, immediately. Devlin raised an eyebrow but just ignored it. Rhiannon chastised herself for acting so guiltily when Kian grew distant again.

Before she could introduce the both of them, Kian shot his hand out. "I'm Kian. I believe you go to my school. Who are you?" Kian studied at Devlin steadily, as if sizing him up in case Devlin decided to throw the first punch. Rhiannon snorted in an un-ladylike manner and peeked at Devlin.

Devlin looked a bit uncomfortable but otherwise calm. Rhiannon let out a sigh of relief. She really didn't want to get involved in some macho test of strength. She had enough to process as it was, without that kind of stupidity.

"Devlin Thornton at your service, I must say it's nice to meet some of Rhiannon's friends since her other –" As soon as his hand touched Kian's, Kian's eyes widened.

"Biondo gente." Kian whispered.

A tick in Devlin's temple pulsed, but he didn't comment. "Rhiannon I think we should be going now."

"I have to wait for Gran, she's –"

"We need to go, now."

"I'm sure she won't be that long –"

All thoughts faltered as screams erupted from the cafeteria.