Forever Alina [Student/Teacher]

~CHAPTER 38~

The past three days have been horrible. I felt like some sort of lab rat. I’ve been poked, prodded, pinched and pricked with just about everything the hospital had available. According to Dr. Montoute, I had an illness that made me somewhat immune to pain. It was a form of CIPA. Which meant something about not feeling pain if I remembered correctly.

Dr. Montoute had called Damien abroad and told him about my internal injuries which did nothing but make him worry. He called every hour to check on me and while I appreciated his concern, I couldn’t help but think how much this was distracting him from the wedding.

“You’re worried,” McGregor said softly.

“No I’m not.”

“And you’re a terrible liar.”

“It’s Damien,” I looked up at him.

Without hesitation his eyes narrowed and he leaned closer to me, “Damien? Is there something that you know that I don’t?”

“Nothing serious. Relax,” I smiled, “I just wonder how much of himself he’s putting into this wedding. He needs to do this but how can he concentrate when he’s calling me and worrying about me all of the time.”

“I see. He’s making you his first priority. Well that’s Master Traviz for you. He never does what you want him to.”

“…you’re not as horrible as I thought you were,” I commented.

“Thank you?” McGregor raised a brow.

“Sorry. I just meant that when we first met and you were talking about the other Alina. You seemed to almost like the idea of hurting me.”

“Instilling fear is a powerful thing. It’s why Raine is so influential in her birth city.”

“She’s so horrible. Why do you like her?” I asked.

He didn’t reply. He looked at the tiled floor for a long moment in silence. “She can’t help the way she is. She’s never really been a child. Raine always had a commanding way about her that made the help fear her…even as an eight year old. She doesn’t know any different or any better,” he said and then went quiet for a while again. “I’ve been her advisor since she was born, you know. I’ve watched her grow up and I’ve never once looked at her in that way. But recently…” he murmured, “Anyways, she knows she can be herself with me. She can let down her guard. When we’re not around anyone else she’s a completely different person.”

“So why are you here now?” I asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be supervising Raine and Damien. You’re their advisor.”

“I needed to see for myself that you’re alright. After the other Alina, I couldn’t sleep knowing that you were in the hospital.”

“You’re still guilty,” I said.

“Damien and I have always been close. How do expect me to live with the fact that I murdered his first born and indirectly murdered his girlfriend and not be guilty?” he asked, “but now that I know you’re okay, I can sleep.”

Now that I really looked at him, I could see that he was truly looking tired. “He doesn’t blame you,” I put a hand on his. He twitched slightly and removed his hand. It was such a second nature thing to refuse to be touched. It was almost adorable although I would never tell him that. He probably wouldn’t take it well.

“Hey,” a voice said and the door opened.

“You’ll live long,” McGregor nodded, “We were just talking about you.”

“Nothing bad I hope,” Damien said and came to shake McGregor’s hand.

“Of course not, Master Traviz,” he bowed slightly, “I’ll leave you two. I need to find Aristoria. The girl likes hospitals a tad too much and is always testing out the equipment.”

“Maybe she’ll be a doctor one day,” I suggested.

“I doubt it. Raine already has an eye on her as an advisor to her – uh – your son,” McGregor looked at Damien.

“McGregor…about you and Raine. I know you and Raine have your thing going on and – uh – I’m sorry,” Damien said, “If it makes you feel any better, I really don’t want to have to consummate the marriage with her,”.

“I know,” he murmured flinching slightly, “Either way, her wedding day is a big deal for her. Do me a favor…”

“Anything,” Damien promised.

“Don’t ruin it for her. It’s all I ask of you.”

Damien couldn’t seem to agree out loud but he nodded. He glanced at me and then McGregor, “Go find Aristoria before she goes tampering with the doctor’s tools.” McGregor nodded and left the room.