Chapter 108
Avalynn POV
The sound of the clock ticking was enough to drive a normal person mad. Other than this and the soft beating of Brent and
Miranda's heartbeats, there was silence. I could feel myself drifting off into, what was sure to be, a fitful sleep. The doctors and
nurses only came in from time to time to adjust the feeding tubes, medications, IV bags, or to change whatever needs to be
changed. I didn't really keep up with the specifics. Melissa and myself had exhausted ourselves these last few weeks attempting
to wake them. We thought, there for a minute, that we had them when Miranda's arms both twitched and her eyes fluttered.
Then, with much disappointment, she fell back into her slumber.
The doctors ran tests and gave us encouragement that we almost had her up. Unfortunately, for us, we both grew exhausted.
When Melissa collapsed in the middle of the room, we called it off to allow our bodies the much needed rest that we would need.
It was now a week later and Melissa was still recovering. I was thankful to Charlotte, who had given me the strength or else I
would have ended up just like Melissa.
I'm not sure when, but I fell asleep. I also was unsure of exactly how long I was asleep for. When I woke up, I was being cradled
in Everest's arms, in the reclining chair in the hospital room. I moved my head only slightly, not wanting to wake Everest, looking
at the window. It was now dark and I was sure of one thing; it was still daylight outside when I last looked. I listened to Everest's
deep and even breathing and allowed myself to relax in his embrace. I felt the tiredness begin to pull at me like an intoxicating
drug, enticing me to fall into a comfortable sleep. As I listened to the beating of Everest's heart, I finally gave in, falling asleep.
I woke when the sun came up, greeting us with a new promise that tomorrow would be different. Little did I know as I wiped away
the sleep from my eyes, today would be different. The gentle knock on the door as a nurse walked in, bowing her head before
beginning her work. Everest sat up after I moved away from him. I can't believe how refreshed and energized I actually felt.
"Good morning," I greeted the nurse as her head was bowed.
"Good morning Queen Avalynn, King Everest." She smiled warmly as she walked over to Brents' bed first, checking his vitals.
I watched her movements closely, watched as she wrote down the numbers on her charts. I watched as she did the same to
Miranda. She turned to us, glancing down at her chart. "I need to confirm a few things with the doctor, but their heartbeats both
sound stronger this morning. It's almost as if it's not as faint sounding. I didn't even need to use my stethoscope to know that
their hearts were beating stronger, but I obviously did to check it properly."
"That's good news then." Everest spoke quickly before I could say anything.
"It seems to be that way. In my honest opinion, if you had anything you could try on them to wake them up, today may be the day
to give it your best shot. But, please excuse me. I am going to get the doctor in here to check and come talk with you both." The
nurse bowed her head and walked out of the room at a brisk pace.
I turned to look back at Everest and he gave me a small nod. "I know what you are going to say, my love. I have someone
checking on Melissa now, let's go see for ourselves, shall we?" He offered me his hand and I took it. We walked out of Brent and
Miranda's room and to the elevator.
We went down one floor and walked to Melissa's room. Surprisingly enough, she was exiting the room smiling and chatting with
a doctor. I watched as she shook his hand and thanked him. When we approached the two of them, stopping a few feet away,
they both looked at us both. The doctor, a short fellow with salt and peppered hair, bowed to us both. Melissa greeted us with a
warm smile.
"Hello." She said softly.
"Hello Melissa, doctor.." Everest paused, looking at his badge "Doctor Howard." He smiled at them both.
"King Everest, Queen Avalynn, what an honor it is to be in your presence." Doctor Howard bowed again.
I smiled at him "It is our honor to be thanking you for all of the hard work you and the rest of the hospital staff have endured
these last few months. It wasn't easy. I do have a question, though."
"Yes, of course, Queen Avalynn. Please, ask away." Doctor Howard looked between Everest and myself.
"Is it safe for Melissa to practice the strongest magic she could muster?" I asked flatly.
"It is." Melissa spoke before the doctor could say anything.
"Well, yes, but she may tire out quickly." The doctor interjected.
"What do you mean?" Everest asked this time, as I glanced at Melissa.
"It means that I could die from doing too much magic." She said flatly. "But it doesn't matter." Her arms crossed her chest like a
stubborn child whose mind would not be changed and I couldn't help the small smile that tried to tug at the corners of my mouth.
I knew, without a doubt, that Melissa would give it all she had, just like I would, and just like Miranda did.
"Surely your life matters." The doctor's brows scrunched together into a deep frown.
"Of course my life matters, but what matters more is the Kingdoms' people and the lives of others. Not my own. I have lived a
very long and meaningful life. If it is my time to go, I hope it is for the best of others around me." Melissa said seriously.
"I understand exactly what you are saying." I told her and she gave me a warm smile.
"Of course." Everest nodded and motioned toward the elevator. We followed behind the doctor and Melissa to the elevator. We
entered first as they followed behind. We went up one floor and exited.
"Oh, ohh." Melissa breathed as she stepped off the elevator.
"What is it?" Everest asked.
"Do you feel it?" Melissa asked me, ignoring Everest..
I simply nodded my head. "I do feel it. Which is why I believe the time is right."
"Come on then, let's hurry." Melissa picked up the pace and we all matched her steps with ease.
I looked over to Everest as we walked. He was looking at me with a puzzled look of confusion. "It is time for Brent and Miranda to
wake up. There is a strange energy in the air, more so now than when we left just a few moments ago. We will need the room to
ourselves during this time. You may stay outside the door."
"No, Avalynn. You're not going in there alone." He frowned as he interrupted me.
"I won't be alone. Melissa will be there. Besides, everything will be fine." I reassured him.
"You can't promise that." He frowned.
I placed my hand on his chest, right above his beating heart. His large hand covered my own. "You can feel me through our
bond. You will know when my body has had enough. That is when you may break in, but not a moment too soon as you could
mess with the balance of what we are trying to accomplish."
"It may be too late." His hands moved to cup my face.
"It will never be too late." I smiled up at him. His head dipped and placed a soft kiss upon my lips. "Just trust me."
He nodded his head. "I trust you."
We opened the door to their room. Melissa began to clear everyone out. I waited until it was only her, Miranda, and Brent alone
in the room. We stood for a moment, feeling the energy of the room.
"We should have their things removed from their bodies." Melissa told me.
"Things? You mean the tubes and IVs?" I arched my brow.
"Yes, yes. Those." She pointed.
"Very well. I walked to the door and opened it."
"Done already?" Everest asked quickly.
I nearly laughed but somehow managed to smile instead, "No, no. We need nurses to come unhook them from everything."
"Everything?" A nurse walked forward a bit confused.
"Yes, but, can you help her with unhooking everything?" I pointed to another nurse.
"Yes, your Majesty, of course." They both moved inside the room and worked quickly.
Once they exited the room, I looked across at Melissa. "Ready?"
"I am if you are." She smiled.