Page 95 of The Deadliest Game

Javier and Manuel. My bodyguards.

Taking a deep breath, I wiped my eyes and waved. I was so weak. It only took a few more minutes for a Médica to walk in with a tray. The Médica stepped softly, her feet quiet on the floor, but I recoiled from the sight. My nose filled with that familiar astringent scent I hated.

"Carmen, it's okay," Magda murmured as she helped me sit up. "Just take small bites, and slowly."

I nodded slowly, allowing the pleasant scent of the food to fill my nose in a comforting wave. My stomach growled in approval, and soon enough, I could eat some of the food on the tray.

Once I was done eating, the Médica started inspecting me.

"How is your leg feeling?" she asked.

I winced, "It hurts. I can still feel it."

She nodded her head in understanding. "That's normal. Your nerves are damaged,” she said softly. "The Blood Magic healed you enough to get a prosthetic, but the pain won't disappear fully. Sometimes, signals get crossed, making it hard for them to return to normal. Therapy should help, but the best thing you can do is to watch out for something that will trigger the pain.” She paused and then continued, "For example, extreme cold. You might want to close the window.”

I shook my head firmly.

She nodded once. “I’ll be back tomorrow for therapy. In the meantime, here is a poultice for your leg to keep it from getting too sore.”

"Can't I just heal myself?"

The Médica hesitated. "Seeing as how you have only just come out of hibernation from overuse of the Blood Magic, that would not be wise. Not for a while, at the very least.”

I clenched my fists and thanked her. Antonio stepped forward before I had time to feel sad again and took my hand in his. His eyes were soft with understanding as he said, "We will find someone who can help you."

The outpouring of emotions made me feel weak.

"I'd like to be alone now," I said.

Antonio hesitated, looking embarrassed. "I know. But you can't be just yet."

My gaze traveled up the bed to meet his, waiting for the answer.

Antonio straightened his shoulders. "Arrebol is in chaos right now. Now that you are awake, we can do the Campeón ceremony. The Canciller told me you had to be brought to him as soon as you woke up."

I gritted my teeth. "Tell him to go to hell."

Antonio shook his head, his expression clouding. "This is your life now. And you are behind. We have so much to discuss."

I clenched my fists, ignoring everyone in the room except him. "I. Don't. Want. Any. Of. This."

He seethed. "It doesn't matter." He looked at Magda. "Get her ready."

“Don’t talk to Magda like that. Where's Isolda?" I demanded.

He hesitated. "She's... with my mother. They are making preparations." He wouldn't meet my eye, but he was out the door before I could demand to know more.

Magda interjected. “I am happy to help. Really. I volunteered.”

My gaze went to Magda. “Take me to the bathroom first.”

She nodded, looking like she was about to cry. I looked away. I couldn't comfort her right now.

Chapter32

Meeting The Canciller

The air was tense as Antonio and I sat in the grand hall of the Palacio Municipal, a looming government building that had also been a palace in days past. The walls, adorned with intricate tapestries and ancient portraits, seemed to close in on us as we awaited our audience with Canciller Agustín Duarte.

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