Rachol looked up at her, his eyes dark in pain. "Sure," he said, and took a seat beside Kiara.
The redhead nodded. "I'll be back in a little bit to check on you. If you need me, I'll be at my flat."
Kiara followed the woman's graceful walk with her eyes. The redhead's carriage reminded her of a dancer. "Who is she?" she asked Rachol.
He sighed. "Shahara Dagan."
Kiara's eyes widened in surprise. "The assassin who was out to kill you and Nykyrian?"
He nodded with a weary sigh. "It's a long story," he answered and leaned his head back against the wall.
They were forced to wait another hour before a doctor finally came out. He stopped at Hauk who pointed him back to Kiara. Kiara watched the doctor move toward her with cold apprehension, her heart pounding in fear at what he might say. Rachol held her hand.
"Mistress Quiakides?"
Kiara nodded, unable to speak past the lump blocking her throat.
"He's out of surgery, but he's still got a long fight ahead of him. There was a lot of damage done." His somber, pity-filled eyes tore at her. "In all honesty, I don't know how he's lived until now. I've never seen anyone survive surgery with the type of injuries he's sustained."
With every word, Kiara's throat tightened more.
"If you like, you may stay in his room ," the doctor said quietly. "It might increase his chance of survival if someone he's close to stays with him."
"Can he hear me?" she asked, her voice cracking.
"I doubt he can understand you, but he'll know you're there."
Jayne took Thia from her arms. "I'll take her home to stay with my children. When he's better, I'll bring her back."
Kiara offered her a shaky smile, grateful for the kindness.
"I'll go with you," Rachol said from beside her.
Patting Rachol's hand, Kiara stood and followed the doctor, Rachol by her side. Hauk relayed the doctor's words to the rest of the waiting group.
The doctor opened the door to Nykyrian's room. Kiara was tempted to scream , only her tight, parched throat kept any sound from leaving her lips. Nykyrian lay on the bed with a gamut of wires and tubes linking his body into several machines. He looked so pale.
Kiara trembled, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"We had to wire his nervous system back together," the doctor said, pulling a chair out for her. "There's a good chance he'll be paralyzed if he wakes." The doctor cleared his throat. "If he makes it through the day, he should have a good chance for recovery."
Rachol pulled him outside. Hearing the door close behind them, Kiara m ade her way to the bed.
"Nykyrian," she whispered, her tears falling down her cheeks, dripping onto his arm.
"Don't leave me." She touched the spot on his cold skin where her tears fell, "I won't forgive you if you leave me alone."
She stared at his beautiful face which was swollen and red where they had fused skin back together over his injuries.
Gingerly, she ran her fingers over his finely arched brows, wishing he would open his eyes and look at her. At the moment, she would even be grateful for one of his fierce snarls.
The door opened and Rachol and Hauk came in. Reluctantly, Kiara released Nykyrian's hand and sat in the chair by the bed to wait and pray for improvement.
The week passed slowly as Kiara waited for a sign of recovery. Everyone had urged her at different times to leave the room for a little while and sleep in a decent bed, or eat a hot meal, but she wouldn't, couldn't, do it.
On the eighth day, she dozed fretfully in her chair. A soft moan woke her. Kiara jolted up, her heart pounding. She looked over to Nykyrian who stared at her with open eyes.
Crying in delight, she rushed to him.
"Nykyrian!" she sobbed, tears of relief falling down her cheeks. "How do you feel?"
He swallowed and tried to clear his throat. "Like I just fought a Tourah beast and lost,"
he rasped. He tried to smile for her, but couldn't quite make it.
Kiara didn't mind. At the moment, she thought she could fly. Biting her lip, she stared at the gorgeous green eyes she had feared he would never open again.
"I'll get the doctor," she said, squeezing his hand before dashing from the room.
Once outside, she hurriedly spread the news to his friends and family, seeking the doctor as fast as she could.
She returned to her husband. His parents hovered over him with well wishes and love.
Warmth rushed over her at the sight.
The doctor shooed them out.
With one last smile to her Nykyrian, Kiara followed his parents out of the room.
Everyone chattered enthusiastically while they waited to hear the doctor's final verdict.
Kiara bit her nails, praying for Nykyrian.
An hour later, the doctor left the room with a wide sm ile. Her heart pounded with hope.
"He'll be fine," the doctor said, stopping before her. "In fact, he should be able to walk normally after a few therapy sessions. He's a very lucky man."
No, Kiara thought to herself, I'm a lucky woman. She was weak with relief as her father drew her into his arms and held her tightly.
There was a God and he loved her!
Smiling, Kiara grabbed Cairistiona's hand and squeezed.