The spirit of Èowyn

Chapter 7

Lucien

I stretched out in bed and let my senses slowly take in my surroundings. It was the best sleep I've had in a long time, if ever.

The soft scent of honey and vanilla reached me, and I couldn't resist smiling like a Cheshire cat as I opened my eyes and looked at the woman sleeping soundly, curled up in my arms. My mate. I could hardly believe it was true, that she was here safely tucked in my bedsheets. She may be afraid, insecure and with a past that was stained with pain. But in her sleep, she trusted me. Her subconscious was trying to tell her what she was so far too afraid to realize. That I would never hurt her. She had crawled as close to my body as she could get with her face hidden against my chest. I must try to get out of this embrace without waking her.

She would be horrified if she discovered how close I was. She was not ready yet, as much as I wanted to hold her, I was sane enough to realize that. I slowly moved backwards while trying to get the arm out that she was using as a pillow. Much to my dismay, she purred and cuddled closer in her sleep. It made me smile and my heart skip a beat. Slowly I got out of bed, but couldn't resist standing there, studying her.

A light knock interrupted my thoughts, and I hurried noiselessly across the room so as not to wake her. I only opened a small crack, unwilling to let whoever had the audacity to disturb us see her in that state. The tension that I barely noticed building up was immediately released when dr. Thatcher's kind eyes met mine. "Rick, I didn't realize it was you." I whispered as I took a quick glance back before stepping out into the hallway, closing the door gently behind me.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I realize you must have just woken up but.." I held my hand up, stopping him. "No need to apologize. I'm grateful you came. I understand it must be a hassle for you to come all the way from the capital and that you must have been up since dawn.” I reassured him. As much as I wanted to snarl at having a man here wanting to check on my mate, I was no Zane. I wasn't going to be unreasonable and Èowyn's health was my highest priority. Rick smiled calmly at me before half-turning to reveal a woman. A vampire I had never met before. "This is Samantha, she's a nurse. I thought it might calm Èowyn if a woman was in the room when I examined her. Èowyn is in bad shape and will need around-the-clock care for a while." I was ready to blow him off.

We had already had this conversation, which had become both heated and bordering on aggressive, when he insisted on taking Èowyn to the capital's hospital. I didn't trust that place. Never in my life would I allow that. If he thought I had changed my mind...

Rick held up a hand and gave me a pointing look. "Calm down, Lucien. I wasn't going to suggest that we move her to the hospital again. Rather, I thought that maybe Samantha could stay here for a while. I'm quite frankly busy and overwhelmed with work. If Samantha stayed here and kept an eye on Èowyn would put me at ease, and I'm sure Èowyn would appreciate female company."

The thought of Èowyn needing someone else's company but mine made me want to grind my teeth. But I had told myself I'd stay rational, didn't I?

The woman took a step forward and looked at me with matter-of-fact yet kind eyes. Not at all with the usual lustful, power-greedy look I was often used to getting from women. She extended her hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you, my lord.”

"Likewise. And please call me Lucien. I'm grateful you came here to help us, and I'm sure my mate will appreciate your presence." I answered as genuinely as I could muster as I let go of her hand. She nodded submissively, causing one of her brown strands to fall out of her bun. She quickly swept it behind her ear and gave me a simple smile. "In that case, call me Sam."

I went in to wake Èowyn up before letting them in. I didn't want to startle her with their presence. I sat down on the edge of the bed and studied her beautiful, serene face snuggled into my pillow, hugging it close while her golden blonde hair was spread out like a halo. I gently caressed her cheek as I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Wake up, angel." She whispered something inaudibly before waving my hand away in annoyance. The corner of my mouth twitched. Apparently not a morning person then.

"Angel, the doctor is here. Wake up." I said a little louder this time as I continued caressing her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and immediately, the fearful glint in her eyes appeared. My heart clenched painfully at the sight.

“It's okay, Angel. No harm will befall you. Dr. Rick Thatcher helped me save you up in the mountains. He just wants to help you. I promise.” My mate rattled away from me and pushed herself up against the headboard. It took everything in me to stay put and not follow. I tried to keep track of the tubes at least so she didn't get tangled up in her panic.

"Is it okay if I let them in?" I asked cautiously. She bit her lip and looked around the room nervously. “Èowyn?” Her eyes snapped back at me. She nodded before clearing her throat. "Uhm, okay. But you're not going anywhere, are you?" Her answer made my heart feel a little lighter. At least she didn't want to get rid of me. "Of course, angel. I'm not going anywhere unless you ask me to, promise."

I got up to open the door. When Rick and Sam came in, she had curled up against the headboard and looked at them uncertainly.

I hurried back to her side and sat down next to her as Rick stepped further into the room with careful steps.

"I apologize for waking you, miss. But I was worried about your well-being and just wanted to check up on you. If I may? I´m dr. Rick Thatcher, by the way, but you can call me Rick. This is Sam. She will be your nurse until you are fully recovered.” Èowyn didn't answer and I could feel the tension she radiated. When Rick took a few more steps forward, she let out a small, startled yelp and threw herself backwards into my arms. Her whole body was trembling. She hid her face in the crook of my neck while I stroked her hair in confusion. "Please make him leave, please." Her low pleading was heartbreaking. "Stay there, Rick!” I commanded before I purred deep in my chest to calm her and lowered my head to whisper in her ear. “Angel, tell me what happened just now." I tried to pull back to look her in the eyes but to no avail. She only clung tighter. "You can't trust werewolves. They only hurt you." She said sadly. I had to take a few deep breaths to hold back my anger at the bastards who had made her believe such a thing. I wanted to convince her that it wasn't true, but in time I hoped she would realize that herself.

“Do you want Sam to come forward instead? She's a vampire. But just know that I wouldn't let anyone near you that I didn't trust.” I said, sounding more pleading than I would have liked as I continued stroking her hair and purring soothingly. She nodded against my chest and hesitantly looked up at Rick and Sam, who looked as devastated for her as I felt. Sam gave a reassuring smile as she came over and stood by the monitor that monitored Èowyn's pulse and heart rate. Sam pressed a few buttons so that the printer in the corner printed out copies of the monitor, which she then handed to Rick. He took a few steps back as he read the papers carefully. "When you were found, your heartbeat was irregular and weak. But it's already stabilized. I think you can thank your newfound mate for that. He and your matebond are doing wonders for your healing," Rick said as he looked up and smiled at us.

"That`s good news. I can't thank you enough for your help.” I said and meant every word. "No need to thank me. My goal in life is to help others. I'm just honoured when I get the chance. However, I still have to say that the road to recovery is not yet done. Your internal organs have taken quite a beating, miss. You need good nutrition and rest for some time to come.”

“I promise she'll get all those things and more.” I replied while Èowyn was still curled up in my lap, trembling slightly. Sam took a few cautious steps towards us and Èowyn's gaze snapped around. She held up her hands in a disarming gesture. "I just want to get you off the monitor and the IV, if that's okay?" Èowyn nodded and extended her arm. "Okay." Sam gave her a reassuring smile as she came over and undid the hoses.

"Angel, do you want to take a shower or use the bathroom?" I asked cautiously. "Yes, please." "I'll help you." I stood up and at the same time lifted her up in my arms. But I left the blanket on her to hide her bare legs. "I can walk." I huffed indignantly at her response. Maybe she could, but it was my job to take care of her and, as the good doctor said, she was still fragile. There was no way I was going to let her walk anywhere on my watch. I sat her down on the toilet seat before quickly going to get a clean shirt and a pair of my underwear. I put them neatly in the bathroom while Èowyn studied me from the same spot where I had left her.

“I'm afraid I don't have any clothes that fit you. But we can order some later.” I opened the bathroom cabinet and pulled out a new toothbrush package and placed it on the sink. Take as much time as you need. But please don't be afraid to call me if you need me. I'll be waiting outside in the meantime, just an earshot away.” I turned to walk out, even though it pained me not to take care of her the way I wanted to. But she wasn't ready, I had to keep telling myself that.

“Lucien..” My name on her lips for the first time made me stop and a shiver of pleasure darted through my spine. I looked back at her over my shoulder where she was still sitting wrapped in the blanket with her big blue eyes and wild hair falling over her shoulders. She was breathtaking. "Thank you." I could only nod, before clearing my throat and stepping out as I closed the door behind me. Hiding the burning desire I felt for her would be the biggest challenge of my life.