since Adrian had his surgery. Fourteen days of camping in his hospital room, waiting for him to wake up and throw a joke or two.

I stood up from the armchair that I'd been sitting for nearly four hours and felt the stiffness of my neck. I ignored the throbbing pain and reminded myself that it was nothing compared to what Adrian had felt.

I've told you to stop spiraling. This isn't good for you, love, and I know it's not what he wants. I heard Vlad talk through the bond. It was unfortunate that he took the cup meant for you but you didn't give it to him, you didn't spoonfeed him. He took it by his own will. Plus, you didn't know that it was laced with poison. If anyone's at fault, it was Emily so don't beat yourself up, okay?

I took a deep breath and nodded.

Okay.

To Adrian, I leaned forward and whispered softly, "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back soon. Don't go anywhere, okay?" I let out a chuckle as I added, "although I'll be very happy to see you walking around because that means you're finally awake." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and headed to the door.

The Court Hospital, especially the VVIP section, one for pure royals, looked like the kind of hospital building in one of the futuristic movie. I'd been here before, that time when Adrian had been shot. Again, the bullet was aimed at me.

I bit my lips as I tried my best not to blame myself, something that I found it hard to do. Adrian had literally taken two hits which were meant for me. He'd saved my life twice and I owed him that.

I gave a sardonic laugh. "I owe so much to him yet I have nothing to give back, to repay him for what he did."

That's if he survives this, what if he dies? What could I possibly offer him if he isn't there to receive it?

I shook that nasty thought off my mind and squeezed my eyes shut.

He'll be alright, Avy. [V]

I brushed the tears with the back of my hand and headed back to Adrian's room. It took more than fifteen minutes to get back since apparently, I'd walked quite far away without realizing.

My hand was on the doorknob, about to push it open when I heard her voice. It was Renata.

"....I seriously think the gods are angry with me. I've lost Joseph and that broke me." I heard Renata sob and wondered if perhaps I should go. The door, however, would stupidly swing open on its own if I didn't hold it. It was either let it swung open or closed it which would create noise, either way, it would ruin the moment. So I decided to hold the door until Renata finished.

"You know, I've always thought that Joseph was using me to get Intel on Vidales. I mean, I was the easiest target. No Vidales would want to have anything to do with a regular," she paused and laughed harshly. "We both know Vidales was full of gold digging whores and manipulative power-hungry assholes. So yeah, when I found out that he was a CG, a spy with a special mission, I felt used. He told me that he loved me but I didn't believe him. I tried to convince myself that I was no longer that girl." Renata sobbed.

"I even changed my name, telling everyone to call me by my middle name. Only Joseph was stubborn enough to call me by my first name, Lycia. He died because of me, Adrian. He pushed me to the ground and used his body to shield me from those bullets. He was supposed to protect the pure royals, he was supposed to protect Lord Christoulakis and the Queen but he sacrificed his life for me."

"And when we had a click, I couldn't stay here. I tried my best to avoid you because I knew you'd be able to see through me. I knew you'd be able to see how broken I am and also how much I love you."

Through the small gap on the door, I could see Renata shake her head. She touched Adrian's forehead softly as if she was scared of hurting him.

"Most of all, I don't want you to feel pity for me, I don't want you to feel bad for not loving me when I love you so much. I know that you love her and that's okay. I don't want you to worry about me and my love for you."

I gulped, completely aware that when she mentioned 'her', she meant me.

"Now," she took a deep breath, "well, I could care less about my pride. I don't care if you know what I feel for you, I only want you to live. Losing Joseph broke me but I knew it was nothing compared to losing you. You're my soulmate, my other half, and as cliché, as it sounds, I could not live without you, Adrian."

There was a long silence, making me think that this could be the perfect time to swing the door open and pretend that I just came, but the sound of the chair being dragged on the floor told me that I should wait and so I did.

I watched her lean on Adrian's side with both hands wrapped in his left hand. "You know, I used to have a dog. Well, he was not exactly my dog, he was Nikki's but we all know she doesn't like getting her hands dirty somehow, I was the one taking care of Audi. He used to play throw and catch with me and whenever the kids at school bullied me for being chubby, I always went home and told him about it. But one day, he was getting hit by a car and died. Since then, I've never had any pet because I couldn't risk the pain of losing someone."

"I've been on my own, taking care of no one but myself. I don't know if I'm the right person to take care of you. I'm obviously not a nurse," she paused and laughed as if she remembered something. "Although I've dressed as a slutty nurse in a Halloween party before. But I don't have any talents or knowledge on taking care of a patient yet here you are, laying on the bed like a doll, except that you're breathing and in need of feeding."

Renata brushed a lock of hair that fell upon her forehead with the back of her hand and groaned. "What am I talking about. God, I am blabbering around like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons. I don't usually talk like this unless I'm drunk or jet-lagged, which I am kinda both right now. Do you know that it took hours to get here from Milan? I think you do. Being an Ambrosia, I'm sure you've traveled to many places in the world."

She shrugged slightly, her shoulders rising as her head tilted to the right. "But I bet you don't know that it took me three glass of whiskey to build up the courage to talk to you." She smiled, or at least I thought she smiled. It was hard to watch her from this distance. "Yes, Ambrosia, you're that scary."

"Am I?"

I nearly fell on my knees when I heard his voice. I stared at Adrian, mouth agape.

"You're awake!" Renata nearly screamed. "I should get the doctor." She was about to turn around when he grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him.

"No, you should sit tight. You have some explaining to do."

To my surprise, she did as he asked.

"Starting with why the fuck did you compare me with a dead dog that you owned years ago?" asked Adrian as he narrowed his eyes and adjusted himself on the bed. She was about to open her mouth but he put one finger on her lips, preventing her from saying anything. "I love you, Renata." He smirked and added, "or do you prefer me calling you Lycia?"

She giggled and pushed his arm jokingly.

"Hey, rule number one, you can't harass the patient." Adrian dramatically let out a long exasperated sigh. "I guess you're right, you really don't know how to be a nurse. Well, I don't care as long as I can see you wearing that sexy Halloween outfit you talked about."

Renata smiled. "I can be persuaded."

"Is that a challenge, baby girl?"

"If it is, will you take it?" asked Renata in return.

Adrian chuckled. He didn't sound like someone who just woke up from two weeks of comatose although he did sound a little breathy, I doubted it had anything to do with his health.

"Absolutely," answered Adrian as his hand reached out and cupped her face. "After all, you're heroin and I'm a drug addict."

Their faces grew closer and I quickly turned away, knowing that he'd be alright now that she was here.