A few more days passed before Belle finally woke, finding Hezekiah seated by her bedside, fast asleep.
She lay staring at the ceiling, her thoughts scrambling to make sense of her surroundings. The faint hum of distant activity drifted into the room, but her mind clung to fragnted mories. Suddenly recalling the fire signal she had rushed to retrieve, she bolted upright, her gaze darting around in confusion. Why was she lying in bed?
Her hand instinctively went to her neck, and she winced as her fingers brushed over a bandage. The pain was faint now, almost gone, but the mories of being bitten sent a chill down her spine.
Noticing Hezekiah, she gently tapped his shoulder. His eyes fluttered open, and the warmth in her smile was mirrored by his.
"You are awake," he murmured, relief softening his features as he leaned closer, his eyes scanning her for any signs of lingering harm.
"Yes," she replied softly, guilt creeping into her tone as she noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes. "How long have you been watching over ?"
"Not too long," he said with a faint smile. "But you were unconscious for nearly two weeks."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Two weeks?!" She exclaid. The bite had left her weak, but she hadn’t imagined it could render her unconscious for so long. Yet, there was no pain now, just a dull mory of the agony.
"I feel terrible," she murmured, her mind racing. Then, another thought struck her. "What about Quinn?" She asked quickly, her tone urgent.
Hezekiah’s expression faltered for the briefest mont before he masked it with a smile. Her concern for Quinn—so imdiate, so natural—gnawed at him. How much of her heart did Quinn still hold?
"He left the castle a few days ago and hasn’t returned," he replied evenly.
Belle sighed in relief. She rembered Quinn confronting the hybrid head-on, his fierce determination etched into her mory. The thought of him surviving the battle comforted her more than she cared to admit.
"And Mia?" She asked next.
Hezekiah chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "She will be here soon. I forced her to take a break as she refused to leave your side for even a mont."
"She’s relentless," Belle said with a soft laugh, and their laughter mingled, lightening the weight in the room.
Hezekiah stood and straightened his coat. "I will have so maids co to freshen you up and bring your al," he said.
Before he could step away, Belle reached for his wrist, halting him. "No, I will eat in the dining hall," she said firmly. "I don’t want anyone worrying more than they already have. And Maddie must be worried sick about , I should let her know I am all right."
He smiled, nodding in agreent before leaving the room.
Left alone, Belle took a deep breath and swung her legs off the bed, steadying herself before walking to the mirror. As she leaned closer, her gaze fixed on the bandaged wound at her neck. She tilted her head, examining it carefully, her lips pursing in thought. How had it healed so quickly? The pain, the venom coursing through her veins, she rembered it all too vividly, like the sting of death itself. Yet now, it seed almost a distant mory.
Seeing her injury so minimal now made Belle question her mory. Had she exaggerated the pain in her mind, or was it truly as dire as she had felt at the ti?
Her thoughts drifted to Quinn. Was he truly fine? He had sustained injuries while battling the vampire leader. Did he even take the ti to tend to them? But why did she care? He had left the castle days ago without checking on her, so surely, he was fine.
"Belle!" Mia’s voice jolted her out of her reverie. Turning, Belle shook her head, then stretched her arms wide, signaling for a hug with a warm smile.
But to her surprise, Mia’s cheerful expression shifted into a stern frown. Crossing her arms, Mia approached slowly.
"Co on," Belle coaxed, her voice light and playful. "I was asleep for days, let’s just forget the past and move on, huh?" She chuckled nervously, trying to avoid the impending scolding.
"Not once, but twice, Belle," Mia began, her voice rising. "Twice! You knew how dangerous it was to act alone, yet you didn’t stop making rash decisions!"
"Oh no," Belle muttered under her breath, recognizing the tone that signaled she was in for a thorough lecture.
"I know, and I am sorry," she said quickly, bowing her head and feigning innocence. "I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing."
"That little pity act doesn’t work on ," Mia shot back, unimpressed. "You know that! I could have defended us both if you would let , but you didn’t. You acted without thinking, fully aware you can’t protect yourself yet."
Belle pouted, unable to counter Mia’s argunts. "Fine, I admit it," she relented.
"It doesn’t matter now. you made it," Mia said, her voice softening as if a wave of relief had swept over her. Suddenly, she pulled Belle into a tight embrace, sighing deeply.
"Why would you scare like that?" Belle grumbled, hugging Mia back.
"So you could learn your lesson," Mia quipped.
Before their mont could continue, a group of maids entered the room, carrying bathing materials.
"My lady, we are here to prepare you," the head maid announced.
"Co in," Belle said with a nod, gesturing for them to proceed.
The maids worked swiftly, readying her for breakfast. Once they were finished, Belle and Mia headed to the dining hall together.
"Belle!" Maddie’s joyful voice rang out as she stood to greet her. The older woman’s eyes glistened with relief as she hurried toward her.
"I am sorry for worrying you, Mother," Belle said softly, guilt evident in her tone.
"No, my dear, I am sorry you had to endure all of that," Maddie replied, her voice trembling. "I am just so happy to see you up and well. I didn’t know what to do when you were unconscious."
The two won exchanged warm smiles, their unspoken bond evident in the shared mont of solace.
Clearing his throat, Hezekiah interjected with a playful tone, "The food will get cold if you keep hugging each other."
Laughter filled the room, lightening the atmosphere. Maddie guided Belle to her seat, tucking her in before returning to her own, content at last to have her daughter-in-law by her side.
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