I woke up, my body aching and my head throbbing. Blinking, I took in my surroundings. I was in my room, in my bed, and everything felt like a disorienting blur. The last thing I remembered was stumbling toward the castle entrance, then seeing Aeliana's face before everything went dark.
Groaning, I turned my head and froze. There, right next to me, was Aeliana, asleep. Her face looked peaceful, her chest rising and falling steadily. Panic surged through me, and I scrambled to get out of bed, only to end up tangled in the sheets and crashing to the floor.
"Fuck!" I hissed, pain shooting through my already battered body. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, a chaotic rhythm that matched the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. What was Aeliana doing here? Why was she in my bed? I felt a hot flush of embarrassment crawl up my neck, spreading across my cheeks like wildfire.
The noise woke Aeliana, and she sat up, her eyes wide with alarm. "Ciara! Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not fucking okay!" I snapped, struggling to untangle myself. Each movement sent sharp jolts of pain through my body, and I felt my frustration mounting. "What the hell are you doing here?"
She quickly got out of bed and rushed to my side, trying to help me up. "You were badly injured. I stayed to make sure you were okay."
"I don't need your help," I growled, though my body betrayed me as a wave of dizziness hit. My vision blurred, and I grabbed onto her for support, reluctantly accepting her assistance. "Damn it."
"Stop being so stubborn," she said, her tone surprisingly gentle. "Let me help you."
"Fine," I grumbled, unable to fight her off in my current state. My pride took a hit, and I felt a mix of anger and humiliation roiling inside me. "But don't think I'm happy about it."
Aeliana smiled, a mixture of amusement and concern in her eyes. "I wouldn't dream of it."
She helped me back into bed, propping up the pillows so I could sit comfortably. Despite the pain, I couldn't help but notice how close she was, her scent filling my nostrils. It was both comforting and infuriating. I tried to focus on anything but the soft warmth of her hands or the steady rhythm of her breath.
"Do you need anything? Water? Food?" she asked, fussing over me like a damn nurse.
"Just get me something to eat," I muttered, trying to ignore the way her touch sent shivers down my spine. My stomach growled loudly, betraying my feigned indifference.
Aeliana left the room briefly and returned with a tray of food. She set it on the bedside table and then, to my surprise, began cutting up the food and feeding me like I was a child.
"I can feed myself, you know," I said, though my voice lacked its usual venom. My hands were trembling, and I hated how weak I felt in front of her.
"Not in your condition," she replied firmly. "Just let me take care of you for once."
"Fine, whatever," I muttered, opening my mouth to accept the food she offered. It was humiliating, but I had to admit, it felt nice to be cared for, even if it was by Aeliana. The flavors were rich and savory, and I found myself savoring each bite despite my bruised pride.
As she continued to feed me, I found myself watching her. Her focus, the way her hair fell around her face, the softness in her eyes. It was infuriating how she made me feel. Vulnerable, cared for, and something else I didn't want to acknowledge. My embarrassment deepened as I realized how much I was enjoying her attention.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended. There was a vulnerability in my tone that I couldn't suppress.
"Because you need help," she said simply. "And because, despite everything, I care about you."
I scoffed, though my heart wasn't in it. "Don't get all sentimental on me."
She laughed softly. "Wouldn't dream of it, Ciara."
After finishing the meal, she set the tray aside and helped me lie back down. My body was exhausted, but my mind was racing with conflicting emotions. Aeliana pulled the covers up, tucking me in gently.
I felt a knot of confusion and embarrassment tightening in my chest. I was used to being self-reliant, to keeping my guard up, and here was Aeliana, breaking through all my defenses with her gentle care.
The warmth of her touch lingered long after she had withdrawn her hand, and I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to sort through the tumult of feelings that surged within me.
"Get some rest," she said softly. "You need to heal."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, though my eyelids were already growing heavy. "Just... don't go far."
"I'll be right here," she promised, sitting back in the chair beside the bed.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling of safety and warmth that her presence brought. It was unsettling, but I was too tired to fight it.
For now, I would let her take care of me. Tomorrow, I'd figure out what the hell all these feelings meant. But for now, I let the darkness take over, comforted by the knowledge that Aeliana was watching over me.
When I woke up again, the room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the curtains. My body ached less, and the throbbing in my head had dulled to a manageable level. I slowly turned my head, expecting to see Aeliana still by my side, but the chair was empty.
I frowned, a strange mix of disappointment and relief washing over me. I didn't need her fussing over me, but her absence felt oddly disquieting. Shaking off the feeling, I shifted in bed, testing my movements. The pain was still there, but it was bearable.
Just as I was contemplating getting up, the door creaked open, and Aeliana walked in, carrying a fresh tray of food. She smiled when she saw I was awake.
"Feeling any better?" she asked, setting the tray down on the bedside table.
"Yeah, a bit," I admitted grudgingly. "Thanks for... earlier."
She looked at me, surprised, and then her smile widened. "You're welcome. I'm glad to see you're improving."
I tried to sit up, and she was at my side in an instant, helping me with the pillows. Her hands were gentle yet firm, and the touch sent another unwanted shiver through me.
"Alright, let me guess. You're going to feed me again?" I said, rolling my eyes.
She chuckled. "Only if you promise not to fight me on it."
I sighed. "Fine. Just get it over with."
As she fed me, I couldn't help but watch her. There was something different about her, a softness that I hadn't noticed before. Maybe it was because she was taking care of me, but it was unsettling.
I didn't want to feel anything for her. It was easier to keep her at arm's length, to focus on the things that annoyed me about her. But here she was, being all... caring. It messed with my head.