The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)

This time, I wake up in the infirmary. At my bedside is the last person I expected.

"Sara?"

She looks alarmed.

"I'm so happy you're awake."

I laugh even though it hurts. "That's surprising to hear."

She presses a button to signal for the nurse.

A man in a white coat enters instead.

"Dr. Tilly." He's our family physician. "Do you work here now?" I ask.

He smiles. "Nice to see you still have a sense of humor."

I suddenly remember Arin. "Where is he? Is he..."

"Mr. Hames is fine. He's resting in the other room. He hit his head pretty badly." The doctor checks my vitals on the system. "You, on the other hand, passed out from exhaustion. It must have taken a lot of energy to take out that Rypper."

I chuckle blithely. "Not like it's my first time."

He doesn't comment. "You look fine. You can leave in a few hours."

I find my phone on my bedside table. It's five o'clock on Sunday."

I curse. "Almost 24 hours."

The doctor nods. "Like I said, a lot of energy."

He leaves the room and Sara hangs at the foot of my bed. "I wasn't lying," she says. "I'm happy you're fine."

"Thanks," I take a long breath. "Did anyone else come to visit?"

"They all did. Michelle, Axel, Ryan, Paisley, even Derek." She laughs.

"Anyone else?"

"Tristan was here. The whole night. He left to get food about ten minutes ago."

"Oh."

"Your brother and cousin were also here."

I nod and check my phone. There are multiple texts from Seb. He says he wants to come visit but he's away for work and he can't cut his trip short.

My throat goes thick. Wow, not even for his daughter's near-death attack.

There's only one text from aunt Freya. It says congrats.

The door opens and Tristan walks in. He relaxes when he sees me.

"You're awake." He drops his food on the chair. "I was so worried."

I eye the food. "Is that for me?"

He shakes his head. There's a small smile on my face. "I see you're as good as ever."

The door opens and two people walk in. It's Dent and a guard.

"Princess Cassandra, we're happy you're awake." He beams.

"Dent." Is all I can say.

He clears his throat. "Do you mind giving us a moment?" He says to Tristan and Sara.

"Of course, I'm so sorry." Sara fumbles and rushes out of the room.

Tristan takes his food with him.

When they're both gone, Dent smiles at me

"Your aunt wants you to know she's very proud of you. The publicity and public flood of support have been astounding."

"That's what I love about you, Dent. You always look on the bright side."

He nods. "Yes. Unfortunately, news about your altercation over New Years break was also released. A bereaved family member of one of the guards. The public tho you were still in Aldean. Just at a different royal residence."

"So many bright spots."

"Yes. Now, you're the princess who's defeated three Ryppers on her own. Your approval rating is up by 12%, it's everything we hoped for." He can't stop smiling.

I hum. "When I was fighting for my life, what kept me going was the look on everyone's face when they saw my new approval ratings."

He frowns at the sarcasm. "Anyway, we'll like a full report of the entire experience. For records. Also, Mavis is your new personal guard. She will follow you all over school. The other is Yara, they'll alternate shifts."

"Yay. The next time I get attacked, at least I won't have to fight by myself."

He waves his hand. "I doubt that will happen."

I freeze. Does he know about the tiara? Does everyone in my family know? "Why do you think that?"

"Well, now the incendiaries know how strong you are."

I frown. "I'm not following."

"They kept attacking you because you were the easiest target." He explains. "Now they know you're a true Harrington. They'll think twice before making a move on you now."

I'm almost too stunned to fully process his words. "You think they kept attacking me because I was the easiest?"

His frown deepens. "Is there another reason?"

I get over my shock and shake my head. "What other explanation is there? Good to know I've proved myself." I remove the covers and get out of bed.

"The doctor hasn't released you yet." Dent protests.

I smooth my hospital gown. A bit excessive for a school clinic if you ask me. "I'm checking on Arin."

"Ah yes, he'll also be giving a report. I was just with him now."

I bite down my anger and walk to the next door.

I open it without knocking.

"Are you awake?"

Arin opens his eyes. There's a table over his lap.

"Look at you. You saved my life." He smiles. "While you were fighting, I was held down by a glorified headache."

I sit at the edge of his bed and roll his table away. "You should be sleeping."

He squints his eyes. "I'm avoiding a concussion." He stares up at me. "Can I ask you a question?"

I nod.

"You were definitely white for a second."

"What?"

"There was this aura around you. Like a..." He looks away. "White fire. A layer of white fire around you. You took the Rypper out with one touch. Or was that a fever dream?"

It's my turn to look away. "That was real."

He nods. "I'm guessing you don't want that in the report."

I look back at him. I love that I didn't have to tell him not to tell anyone. He just accepted that that was best for now. And he's willing to keep that secret.

I lie down next to him and stare at the ceiling.

"When are you getting released?"

His chest rises and falls sporadically. "Tomorrow evening. I get to miss class for a day."

"Well aren't you just the luckiest."

He chuckles softly. "That was really scary." His voice is soft. "And you handled it so well. You weren't even scared. You just jumped into action."

"So did you. Mr grabbed ancient swords from a wall and stabbed a Rypper with it."

He shakes his head gently. "That was useless. You did most of the work."

"Most?" I ask to be petty.

He pushes my shoulder. "Fine, all."

There's a knock on the door. Before either of us can respond, it opens.

"Cass." Tristan opens the door. "Mavis said you were here." He eyes me and Arin on the bed.

"Checking to see if this one's still alive." I elbow Arin softly. "I'll check on you during lunch tomorrow."

"Thanks," he says.

I get off the bed quickly and stagger.

Arin tries to sit up and winces.

Tristan steps forward and wraps an arm around my waist.

"You should be in bed." He pulls me to his side and helps me walk.

He opens the door and lets us out.

"See you tomorrow," Arin says from bed.

Before I can answer, Tristan shuts the door.

He helps me back to my room and into bed.

"Do you maybe want to stay here tonight?" He suggests.

I shake my head. "No. I should get back." I brush my hair behind my neck. "I have some stuff to do."

Tristan looks uncomfortable. "What were you guys even doing in the library so late?"

"Research." I sigh. "It started with Delia Beltane. Then became about my tiara, then the Percival, and magic, and... A lot of things."

Tristan nods. "Okay." He doesn't meet my eye.

"Thank you. For staying with me."

"You don't have to thank me," he yawns. "I'll always be there for you."

That sets off sick butterflies in my stomach. I clear my throat to dispel them.

"I might just rest for a few hours then head back to my room."

He takes the cue to leave. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

He raises a hand to wave, then leaves the room.

***

"How's my little Darea Morjan?"

I glance at the plant on her desk. "How are we in any way related?"

"You both sparkle under the most unfavourable circumstances."

She sets the plant on fire and its rainbow colours shine brighter.

I nod. "Well, that's...something."

She's smiling at me. "Three Ryppers all on your own." She adjusts her hair. "Some can say you weren't this awesome before I started teaching you."

"Oh, yes." I drop my bag on a random table. "All those classes spent doing breathing exercises really helped when I had Ryppers towering over me."

She doesn't catch the sarcasm. "You're welcome."

I chuckle.

Her smile disappears and she looks worried. "And I want to apologize."

"For what?"

"It's my fault. You wouldn't have been in the library at all if you weren't doing research I introduced you to."

"Please don't say that." I frown. "This isn't your fault. And besides, I'm doing the research by myself now."

She smiles coyly. "My gossip's never been any good. But I recall someone in the library with you."

I roll my eyes. "It was just Arin."

"Ooh, Arin Hames."

"How do you know him?"

"I know of his grandfather. Admirable man. Always challenging people to be different."

"I think I get it now." I muse. "That whole 'be different' thing. I spent so long trying to fit into my family's idea of who I should be. And no matter how hard I tried, I kept failing."

"And now?"

My smile is wide. "Now, I feel great." I stare at my hands. "I'm lighter, happier, stronger. I feel wonderful." I go further and say, "I feel better."

"That's very good to hear." She sighs. "Also, if you don't mind me asking, why are you here? We don't have to meet after school anymore."

"I know. I just thought you'd like an update on my research."

I tell her everything I've learned minus the whole white fire. I think I want that to just be I and Arin's secret for now.

"Good job, Cassandra. Really. You're a stronger person than me." She praises.

My alarm goes off. I have a call scheduled with Seb in ten minutes.

"I have to go," I tell Cara.

"Yes. And keep me updated on whatever information you find." She sits behind her desk. "I might just steal it and write the report instead."

I laugh and leave her classroom.