Page 12 of A Valiant Prince

“We’ll need to get her up soon. I imagine Dr. Vanker and the attending physician will be around soon to discharge everyone. We have the cars ready to head to Harrington House,” he says.

“Harrington House?” I ask.

“Hans and Lara’s estate,” he explains.

“Oh,” I say as Anna stirs in my arms. Her eyes open, and she squints under the harsh lights. I place a hand up, to keep the glare off her.

“Hey,” I say softly, kissing her forehead. “How about we spring you from this joint?” I say. She blinks a few times, her eyes obviously adjusting to the light.

“OK,” she says. Her voice is gravelly, and I can only assume that’s because of the smoke inhalation.

“How do you feel?” I ask her. I can’t help but feel her forehead, her cheek, fearing that something else might be wrong with her. She places a hand over mine.

“I’m fine. My throat is just a little sore, probably from the smoke,” she says. I have to admit her husky voice is pretty damn sexy. I will my cock into submission, knowing my princess is far from ready for that kind of fun.

“Good,” I say. I motion to the corner of the room where Pete has placed bags with our things. Clearly, he had our clothes cleaned, because they don’t smell of smoke, which I appreciate. “Let’s get dressed.”

By the time we are dressed, and Anna has showered, Dr. Vanker comes in and checks us over.

“I’ll send the nurse in with your discharge papers. You’ll need to follow up with your physicians, but I think you’ll both be fine,” he says.

“Lara?” Anna asks.

Dr. Vanker looks serious. “She survived the surgery, but I won’t sugarcoat it. She sustained very serious internal injuries and a head wound, Your Highness. Her chances of pulling through are…well, I’ve warned the rest of your family to prepare themselves for the worse. She’s in the ICU if you wish to stop by before you leave,” he says, squeezing her arm.

“Thank you, Dr. Vanker. Our family is most appreciative of everything you and your staff have done,” she says.

“Well, I’m just glad that I happened to be the one there when this happened,” he says. “I wish you all the best.” Anna and I nod as he leaves.

A nurse brings in some paperwork for us and two wheelchairs. Anna looks at me, and I look at her.

“I don’t need one,” I say to the nurse.

“Dr. Vanker—” she starts.

“Dr. Vanker said I was fine. Princess Susanna will require one though, so thank you so very much,” I say, cutting her off as I push Anna from the room with Lucas in tow.

I find the ICU and push Anna inside past the nurses’ station to the two guards standing on either side of a door. I nod to them, and one of them pushes the door open. Hans is asleep in a chair in the corner of the room. Lara is in the bed. There are tubes everywhere, monitors beep, and a machine buzzes. There’s a strong smell of disinfectant that makes me nauseous. The shades are drawn, and the room is dim. I wheel Anna up to the bed and put the brake on her chair. I help her up, so she can lean over to see her aunt.

She reaches a trembling hand over to her aunt’s arm.

“I-I’m s-sorry,” she says as she bursts into sobs. “I’m so sorry, Auntie Lara! I tried to get to you!” she cries out as she falls limply onto the bed, her head on her aunt’s shoulder.

“Anna,” I say softly, as I grip her tightly. She sags in my arms as her uncontrollable crying stabs me like a knife. I hold her, not saying anything, not knowing what to say.

I see Hans stir out of the corner of my eye. He stands and immediately comes around the bed. He touches Anna’s shoulder. She turns and launches herself into his arms.

“Oh, Uncle Hans,” she sobs.

I release her and let her seek comfort in the embrace of her uncle. He rubs her back and kisses her head.

“It’s alright, Anna. It’s alright, my dear girl. Now, now…shhhh,” he tries to soothe her. He holds her tightly while she continues to cry until she’s only sniffling and hiccupping in his arms.

“Lara needs her rest,” he says. “Why don’t you two head to the house? You can come back and see her tomorrow, OK?”

She nods against his chest and pulls away. Her eyes are puffy and red, her cheeks tear-stained. She turns once more and walks on her own over to Lara. She leans down and kisses her aunt’s cheek while gripping her hand.

“I love you, Auntie Lara. I love you so much, please fight, please come back to us. I need you,” she whispers loud enough for me to hear her.

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