When Deryn saw the arrowhead emerge from Alek's stomach, she grabbed at it and pulled without considering the consequences. She hadn't expected the amount of force she would need to yank the remainder of the arrow shaft out, nor did she expect the amount of blood that came rushing out of the gaping hole that she had created.
"Blisters!" She gasped, and reached for the blankets behind her then smashed one of them over the hole. Good God, it was still bleeding through the cloth. She grabbed another blanket and wrapped it around the first, actually lifting his body so she could get it underneath it and around.
Almost like my stupid diddies wrappings. She smiled to herself, but then shook her head, wondering where the humor had come from. She pulled the second blanket tight, but the blood was still pouring through, so she started on a third, and then a fourth. Finally, there wasn't any red staining the material.
"Barking Prince," She said to Alek, "You bleed like a pig."
Then she realized that he wasn't screaming anymore, or fighting against her. Alek wasn't moving at all. His skin was suddenly very pale and clammy to touch, he looked almost green. She also noticed the puddle of crimson that had flowed out of him. Blisters it was a lot of blood.
I've killed him. Her brain suddenly spoke. Big, monstrous tears began to creep down her cheeks and Deryn gave a mournful, loud wail.
"ALEK! NO! WAKE UP!" She shook his shoulders and screamed at him, but there was no response. If only she could go back in time, just ten minutes. She should have listened to him and left the arrow in. He'd still be alive!
More tears slipped down her face and onto Alek's body beneath her. She looked down at the blankets where wetness from her eyes had mingled with his blood and saw that his chest was still rising and falling.
He's still breathing! She wiped her face and gave a squeal of relief, but that was soon stopped. Alek's breaths were terrifyingly thin and broken. Every inhale was accompanied by a rasping guttural sound and the breaths were slow and few.
He was still alive, but barely. She knew he wouldn't make it until morning.
Somehow she acquired the strength to stop crying and was able to think things through. She had killed him, most likely, but she didn't have to let him suffer. She could make him as comfortable as possible for these last few moments.
Carefully, Deryn scooped her arms around his torso and pulled him away from the fireplace and out of the puddle of blood. He was freezing. His skin was barely touchable it was so cold. Behind her was a wealthy looking couch which she scooted backwards to and leaned against. Gently she lifted Alek into her lap and cradled him there. She could at least keep him warm.
Delicately she took the rest of the blankets and curtains and put them on top of his icy body. He was shaking, she could see that now, and his eyes were partially open. She closed them with her fingertips and leaned in to kiss his forehead.
Deryn was crying again, but quietly this time. The last of the Hapsburg line was dying and it was her fault. He was her best friend, he'd never know her secret and she had let him die two days after his sixteenth birthday.
Huge choking sobs came over her. But she didn't care. She just continued to sit there and clutch to Alek's body and watch the fireplace die out. She didn't know how long she had sat there, but somehow her own body was giving up and she felt herself drift into a dreamless, unconscious sleep.
I apologize for such a short chapter, but the last one was barking long and the next one will be really long too. And I'm sorry it's so depressing too.