Chapter6-Finslly reached my limit.

Michaela's pov

I groaned in discomfort when I finally became conscious.

I slowly opened my eyes and turned around, only to find myself in a strange room. But judging from the smell of sterile liquid and the clean white sheets draped over me, I could tell I was in the castle infirmary.

Someone must have brought me here after the party.

The party!

I could barely remember anything that happened after that Beast appeared. But I did remember that Noah had run to save Sasha. 

And even now, I was still alone in this infirmary room. 

As I tried to recall what had happened to the beast, I heard mutterings coming from the bed beside mine. I couldn't see who it was, because both beds were demarcated by a long curtain.

But I listened in to see who it was. Perhaps other members of the party that might have gotten injured?

"I need to go see how Michaela is doing as well." I widened my eyes when I heard Noah's voice. But who was he talking to? 

"She wasn't in such good shape when I brought her in."

"Oh Noah." I heard Sasha whine. "But I don't feel too good at the moment. Every part of my body hurts. If you aren't here to keep me company, I'm sure it'll hurt ten times more."

I heard Noah sigh. "I promise it won't take long. It's just right beside you and I only just want to check on her."

"But she'll be fine. Didn't you say she's always had the ability to heal quickly? I'm sure she already has." Sasha paused and I heard some movements. Then she added, "I'm the one who needs you to stay by her side. Please don't go."

I narrowed my eyes as I listened to their conversation. 

So, Noah couldn't pull himself away from his beloved Sasha to even check on me?

The realization filled me with so much resentment, and I angrily pulled back the curtain dividing our beds.

Noah quickly turned and Sasha's hand that had been holding on to him fell away as well.

I sneered at both of them.

"Your wife got injured, but even at that, your first priority is her?" I calmly asked Noah, even though I was pissed on the inside. The effects of the crocodile skin had worn off, and I was strong enough to confront Noah about his behavior.

He looked sheepish as he tried to move closer to my bed.

"I was actually just about to check on you. But I don't know what all this fuss is about. You're obviously feeling better." He said, folding his hand defensively.

I just scoffed.

"You can only tell that I'm feeling better because I drew the curtains open. But I'm done with you. You can close the curtain again and happily return to the side of your first love." As I said that, I turned away from him and stared up at the ceiling.

"You're being unreasonable, Michaela." Noah said quietly and I turned to look at him one last time.

"Am I truly? Because I haven't said anything. I've only asked you to return where your heart truly belongs. After all, she's the one you really want to be with, is she not?"

He stared at me blankly. I could tell my indifferent response wasn't really what he had anticipated.

I turned away from him again, and didn't bother with what he expected from me.

Just then, Sasha began to act up again, completely drawing Noah's attention from me. Just as she wanted.

"Noah, please come quick. My knees are cramping up." Sasha whined, and Noah was immediately at her bedside again, reaching for the salve the nurse had probably left behind for them.

I angrily turned away from them.

Just as I did, Noah's parents stepped into the room, and I watched as they rushed to Sasha's bedside, completely ignoring that I was present too.

"Oh Sasha!" Noah's mother cooed, gently patting Sasha's head. "We came as soon as we heard what happened. How are you feeling now?"

Sasha smiled weakly. "Definitely better than when I was first brought in. Noah has definitely been a great help."

"Oh sweet sweet girl. I pray for your quick recovery. You don't deserve-" Whatever else she meant to say got cut short when she raised her eyes and finally noticed me.

 "You." She spat, and I raised a brow. "All of this is your fault!"

She angrily stalked to my bedside, as she raised an accusatory finger at me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked quietly as she continued to glare at me. "I was attacked just as everyone was. How is it my fault?"

"I don't know! But you-you-" Just as she was speaking, she suddenly staggered backward and her raised hand dropped to her side. 

She pressed her hand to her chest, and looked at me, before she suddenly looked away.

"What is this?" she murmured as she walked away from my bed. She took one last look at me, before quickly averting her gaze.

 Almost as though making eye contact with me affected her.

Sasha was none the wiser, and kept up with her act.

"I think I'm slowly feeling more like myself though." She said when Noah's mother returned to her side. Then she took one look at me and shrugged. "You shouldn't waste your energy being angry with Micheala. I'm sure she meant no harm. I'm definitely not angry with her."

Noah's mother didn't look at me, but she was still pissed.

"Well, I blame her. She only brings misfortune everywhere she goes."

Noah sighed, and finally stepped in.

"Mother, let's not drag this out any further. Please let Michaela be." He said and looked at me. "She's still my wife after all."

Then he drew the curtains that divided our bed, and ushered his parents out, talking about how the patients needed their rest.

When they were all gone, it was quiet again. And after a little while, I could hear Sasha breathing softly, indicating that she was sleeping.

While she slept, I stayed awake, pondering the end of my loveless marriage.

As I did, a strange shimmering light appeared at my bedside, then suddenly one of my trusted soldiers, Declan, appeared kneeling before me.

"Declan." I said softly when he lifted his bowed head. "What brings you here?"

Declan took one look at the room before he rose, and then said. "We thought you'd be back by now. Our soldiers have been waiting for you to lead us in battle…we need you. And so I've come to ask you personally to help protect the world as we know it."

I smiled wistfully at his request and looked down at my folded hands.

"Your request is timely." I said quietly and finally looked up. "Perhaps if I was in a happy marriage I might have turned it down. But as it is, I have an unhappy marriage that has proven to remain fruitless despite all my endeavors."

I paused, before finally nodding.

" I guess I'll have to give up on the idea of love now. So yes, I'll return to my career soon and I'll lead the soldiers."

Declan seemed to be pleased that I agreed, But he tilted his head to the side and looked a bit compassionate when he spoke again.

"Do you think you would ever reveal your true identity to these people?"

I thought again before I answered and then shrugged.

"I suppose I will. But I'd like to wait till after I've finally dissolved this sad union."