Recap:
Mumbling their agreement, they all filed out and headed to the elevators. Sadie and Balthazar following at the end. Sadie could tell everything her family had said had gotten to him, and he was nervous about the state of their relationship. Although they were all extremely valid questions and points, Sadie knew that at one point in life, one had to be reckless and take a risk. What was life without risks after all?
As they waited for the elevator to arrive, Sadie pulled him aside and walked a little distance from her family.
"I love you, Balthazar. No matter what they say, they can't change what we have. What I feel for you, what our future holds."
Chapter 18:
Balthazar clutched his hair in frustration as he stared sightlessly into the room that had housed his best friend for the past three weeks. He was beyond frustrated. Ever since that fateful day, he'd been wracked with guilt every second of every single day. He knew he was putting his friend into danger by jumping off of that cliff, but he was adamant that she would come through with barely a scratch to show for it.
He didn't know what to do anymore. He'd managed to bring his friend to the brink of death. Granted that Blue was a female more than capable of taking care of herself, he ought to have placed her safety before all else when taking a decision.
Letting out a heartfelt sigh, Balthazar slumped against the glass. His gaze aimed at the floor as he rested his forehead against the cool surface, the stark cold bringing clarity to his thoughts.
"You've got to stop blaming yourself." A female voice piped up. He barely glanced at the petite older female coming to a stop beside him.
"Mrs. Kingston," he acknowledged her respectfully.
"My little girl is worried about you." She informed him as she coolly inspected her manicure. "And that worries me."
Not knowing what to say, Balthazar chose to remain quiet.
"Sadie is a sensitive woman; she's not going to be placated with a few halfhearted words of reassurance." Mrs. Kingston stared out at the comatose figure of Blue as she spoke. "I think you ought to deal with your demons before you go about getting serious about my daughter."
"I've been nothing but serious about her from the start." Balthazar clenched his fists to keep from attacking her. "She is my world."
"And what do you intend to do when she becomes yours for eternity?" In that moment, Balthazar realized just who was blocking his and Sadie's destiny. But there wasn't much he could do about it, he had been ready to make her his since the very moment she stepped foot inside his house; but Sadie would no doubt be heavily influenced as a result of her mother, "My daughter will not be a random girl you can use and discard as you please. If you want to marry her then you will do it as I say so."
"Your daughter is my everything." Balthazar stared sightlessly at the floor, "Name your price, I am willing to do anything for her." Mrs. Kingston's hand came to rest on his arm and she gently guided him down the corridor and out of the hospital.
His cabin hadn't been large enough to house all of the family, so he had secured housing for them in the guest building. Sadie hadn't wanted to part with her family, and as a result Balthazar found himself living in the guest housing as well. Even though they lived in adjacent rooms, Balthazar barely ever got a minute alone with her. Sadie's family was hogging all her time and attention; but they made her happy, so he couldn't complain. All he wanted was her happiness.
"You don't have to do anything taxing." She consoled him as they entered the elevator that would take them to the private floor he'd reserved for them. "You need to bring these demons that haunt you, to a rest."
"I have no-," Balthazar huffed only to be cut off by a slim hand rising into the air.
"I have raised five children, do not think of lying to me," She smiled. "Your friend's accident haunts you, and Sadie will not rest easy knowing you are suffering. So for her sake, for her peace of mind, I suggest you come to terms with this."
The elevator dinged as they reached their designated floor, with a conspiratorial smile cast his way; Mrs. Kingston stepped off and strode away, lowly humming a song. Balthazar let out a heartfelt sigh as he followed her into the lounge connecting all their rooms.
"Balthazar." Sadie smiled warmly at him as he stepped into the lounge. Coming forward, she hugged him tightly, whispering that she missed him before pulling away and going to her mother's side. "How is Blue?"
Balthazar could feel the contentment coursing through his veins. Her touch had calmed him beyond belief, he couldn't wait till he had her all to himself; she would never be further than an arm's length from him at all times. He would ensure that.
"She has healed physically, now we're waiting for her to wake up." He sighed, "They have no idea how long it's going to take, could be hours, days or months or even years."
"It will be alright, Balthazar." One of Sadie's sisters spoke soothingly; he forgot her name so he chose to merely nod. Sadie's siblings were all gathered in the room, but Balthazar couldn't name a single one; their identities were of no importance to him.
"She will be up and about in no time." Alexander reassured him, Balthazar only remembered him because Alex had been most supportive of Sadie's decision to marry him. He smiled weakly at him before slumping down into the sofa. He hadn't slept well in ages. Exhaustion seeped through every pore on his skin, he needed rest, but he couldn't bring himself to sleep. What if something happened to Sadie and he wasn't there to protect her?
Loud banging on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he raised from his seat to go answer the door. A distressed looking Robert stood on the other side, panting and wheezing for breath. A large cut on his forehead was bleeding profusely, and he had a split lip. "What happened to you?" Balthazar stared at him in shock, did he get attacked?
"Attacked..." He gasped as he doubled over, "Blue..."
"What?" Balthazar latched a hand onto Robert's arm and dragged him back down the hall, forgoing the wait for the elevator he ran down the stairs and to the hospital. Fearing the worst, he couldn't afford to waste a moment. He willed himself to go faster, never releasing the firm hold he had on his friend's arm. Spotting the door to her room, he sped up out of pure will power and burst through the doorway, knocking the flimsy door clean off of its hinges and embedded it into the wall. The sight before his eyes caused him to freeze in his tracks. A polar bear male nurse was struggling against the bars placed around Blue's hospital bed. But he couldn't seem to get free, and roared in pain as his head slammed against the bars. Balthazar glanced at the bed only to see it empty. Panic clawed at his throat, in her condition Blue couldn't defend herself from anything. A soft squelch resonated within the room, and despite himself Balthazar found himself cringing at the sound. He reached the now polar bear just in time to catch the now limp body from hitting the ground, with his neck broken; the polar was no doubt long gone. Glancing up at the attacker Balthazar could feel his jaw go slack.
Blue was awake.
**
Sadie could feel heart miss a beat as she watched Balthazar bolt out the door as though the hounds of hell were on his tail. She had barely managed to catch a glimpse of Robert being pulled along with the frantic looking chieftain.
"What happened to him?" Her mother placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I don't know." Sadie muttered under her breath.
"Robert said something about Blue and attacks." Alex piped up from behind them; he had been seated closest to the door and no doubt heard the conversation between the two shifters.
"We have to get to the hospital." Sadie breathed out before rushing to the door and yanking it open, only to have her mother draw her back in.
"Sweetie, perhaps you should wait till you know more," She slowly guided her back into the room, "For all we know, this could mean something entirely different."
"But I have to know whether Blue is well or not." She found herself protesting stubbornly, after all Blue had done for Balthazar and her, she knew there was no way she would ever be able to repay the favour.
"Sweetie we are humans in a world of shifters, we would only be underfoot."
"How about we wait a while and then Sadie and I can go and check on things?" Alex, ever the voice of reason, spoke reassuringly.
"Sounds reasonable," Her mother turned back to her book and left the children to their own devices, confident they wouldn't disobey her.
"You're welcome," Alex whispered as he rose from his seat and made his way into his room.
Sadie couldn't help but feel as though she was missing out on something critical. But she knew her mother held only her best interests at heart, and had done nothing but point out the obvious truth. The question being, how long would it take for her resolve to crack? She knew Alex had gained her a leverage she herself could never have managed; her brother had a way with words.
With no clue about what was happening, Sadie could only pray that all was well. She knew the loss of his best friend would devastate Balthazar; he would no doubt blame himself for the unfortunate accident and slowly drive himself insane. She loved him, and she would do her level best to ensure she was with him every step of the way. He was too big-hearted a person to bring himself down so.
She hoped Blue would recover soon.
--
Sadie was nearly about to leave the room and go in search of Balthazar, when a thoroughly rumpled and exhausted chieftain walked into the room and collapsed into the nearest sofa. Sadie rushed and got a glass of water to help cool him down before seating herself next to him.
"Where did you go off to?" She asked as she softly stroked his hair, the chieftain only groaned before he lay his head in her lap and let out a heartfelt sigh.
"Blue is awake." Sadie could feel a sense of relief bubble up within her and threaten to slip out.
"That's great," She smiled down at him, "How is she?"
"She's resting right now, the doctors are checking to see whether there could be any long term complications."
"She'll be right as rain in no time." Sadie smoothed his untamed hair as she traced the worry lines that appeared on his face.
"I hope." He sighed, "Sorry, I should have told you sooner."
"Don't be silly." She scolded him, "Your best friend is finally awake, and it doesn't matter."
"Hmm." Sadie smiled to herself as she realized Balthazar had fallen asleep within moments, he must have been bone tired. Grabbing the blanket thrown over the couch, she threw it over his sleeping form and settled back into the comfortable couch cushions and rested her tired eyes. Things seemed to be looking up.
**
It had been one week since Blue had awakened, although the doctors there were minimal chances of complications; Balthazar had been unable to determine why she seemed to be on edge. The doctors had fearfully requested him to remove the female from the premises, Blue seemed highly unstable and he couldn't blame the medical staff for their fear, even he hadn't let his Sadie and her family close to the female. After much arguing, he had managed to secure a deal with the medical staff; in return for Blue leaving, they would give her one last checkup and if all vitals were normal, Blue would be discharged with all haste. He was currently in the female's room, staring at her from across the room, Blue had been kept caged within the metal bars ever since she'd gained consciousness, as a precautionary measure; and the female hated every instant of it. Considering her past, Balthazar wasn't surprised.
Blue snarled at him from behind the thick metal bars before pacing the length of the cage. Her eyes had a feral tinge to them; she seemed more animal than human at the moment. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Sadie stumble into the room and come to a swift halt in the doorway. Her family following close behind. Not knowing Blue's frame of mind, he approached her cautiously.
"Blue?" he spoke in lower tones so as not to startle her. "Are you alright?"
"Why the fuck am I still in the hospital?" the female snarled, sending chills down his spine. He could tell that the humans were getting uncomfortable as they slowly inched away from the enraged female.
"You were comatose for nearly three weeks." Balthazar sighed out.
"And?"
"And nothing. You had physically recovered a week into your coma; we were just waiting for you to wake up." Balthazar shrugged. Blue was on edge, he needed to calm her down. "I'll just have a doctor check you, and then you're free to go."
"No doctors." The lethal female had injured and nearly killed most of the doctors in the tribe and as a result the entire medical center staff was too afraid to go near her.
"No doctors." He had known that Blue would be difficult about this, but he had prepared for this possibility even though he would definitely end up paying dearly for this later, "No freedom."
"You think you can keep me in this cage?" Blue smirked, a challenge in her eye.
"I know I can." This was a power play, and Balthazar would die to come out on top. "This has been built specifically to contain a shifter much stronger than you. You can't bust through."
"You've come prepared." She folded her arms across her chest. "I know when I'm beat. Send your doctors."
"You are not to harm the doctors, Blue."
"Wouldn't dream of it." She assured, although the spark in her eye said otherwise. She was enjoying the control she held over this scenario.
"Blue."
"As you wish, Chieftain." She inclined her head. Choosing to trust her, Balthazar sent a thoroughly exhausted Robert to summon the doctors. Better to have no delay, Blue could change her mind in the snap of a finger.
Balthazar remained within the room as the doctors arrived and began their checkups. Mostly for their safety; Blue was a flight risk in the best of conditions.
He knew the Kingstons had set up camp in the waiting room next door, choosing to wait through the two hour long procedures as the doctors tested and examined Blue's vitals. With a strict warning to take it easy, they eventually packed up their things and declared her recovered.
The door opened to reveal Sadie; she smiled as she came to stand by Balthazar's side. "It is good to see you doing well, Blue." She smiled at Blue.
"Sadie." Blue rolled her eyes. "Open the cage."
"You stay in there for a few more days. That's the only way you'll get the rest you need." Balthazar sighed, he knew how much Blue hated being confined, but this was for her own good. Since he valued his life he would let her out in two days.
As the doctors vacated the room the humans all made their way into the room, Blue was seated on the hospital bed within the cage, calm and collected as always, Balthazar wasn't entirely sure whether the humans being in the same room as Blue was a good idea, but it was too late now to do anything about it.
"We had a deal. Doctors and then freedom."
"Yes, but-,"
"When I get out of here, I'm going to cut off both your hands." Blue smiled darkly as she spoke over his protest.
Balthazar shivered in dread, with a person like Blue, one could never be sure what a joke was and what wasn't. The gasps he heard from the humans nearly made him groan, Blue wasn't making the best impression, he knew he should let her out; or else he may not live to regret it.
"One human wasn't enough, Balthazar?" Blue smirked as she eyed them with condescension.
"Blue, behave." Balthazar admonished. Mentally bracing himself, he turned to the Kingstons, "This is Blue," looking over his shoulder at Blue he addressed her, "Blue, this is Sadie's family." The female remained silent, eyeing up the humans impassively.
"Glad to see you're doing well." Mrs. Kingston smiled.
Blue simply stared back at the human, expressionless and aloof. Although garbed in nothing more than a hospital gown, she seemed composed and regal, an air of elegance surrounded her. The rest of Sadie's family stepped forward to express their well wishes, although he felt horrible; Balthazar couldn't help but enjoy his friend's obvious suffering. Blue hated social interactions with anyone and anything, with a vengeance. The humans' initial fear had begun to wear off and they showered the shifter female with questions. Balthazar tried immensely hard to hide his smile; he'd missed messing with his best friend.
Blue rose from her seat and ambled up to the lock on the door to the cage, she lightly fiddled with the lock. Balthazar's eyes nearly bugged out of his head when the door swung open with a creak. The humans had grown quiet and inched away from Blue. Ignoring them, the female headed for the door, flabbergasted, Balthazar followed her with his gaze, and how had she unlocked the door?
As though in answer, Blue tossed a small silver object over her shoulder and slammed the door open and walked out without a backward glance.
Balthazar fumbled to catch the small object before it smacked any of the humans in the face, he could feel his amusement rising as he stared down at the scalpel in his hands. Blue must have stolen it when the doctors had been checking on her. She never failed to surprise him.
**
Balthazar cursed under his breath as he slammed the phone down. It had been one day since Blue had walked out of the hospital room. He had been trying to get a hold of her, but it was like trying to catch a slippery fish; almost impossible.
"Have you told Blue about the wedding yet?" Sadie asked as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"No, I can't seem to get in touch with her." Balthazar groaned.
"She needs time," Sadie cooed as she rubbed his shoulders.
"I want you to be mine as quickly as possible." Balthazar pulled her into his lap. "But I also want Blue to attend the ceremony."
"So we can hold it off for a few days. Not a big deal."
"The last time I kissed you without interruption was ages ago." Balthazar growled, "We need this wedding now, so there can be no more interruptions. And," he leaned down to nuzzle her neck, "I can have all of you."
"Balthazar," Sadie giggled, "My family might hear you."
"And again with the interruptions," He groaned as his Sadie slid off his lap and left him alone and missing her warmth. He stared longingly after his woman, perhaps if he took her somewhere into the forest, they might have peace?
"You really need to grow a pair." A snarky voice cut into his thoughts.
His head snapped about, Blue stood leaning against the doorway, how she had managed to get inside the guest housing without a key was beyond him, but he could dwell on that later.
"Glad to see you've decided to grace me with your presence." He smirked, hoping it would annoy her.
"Don't get used to it," she picked a soda for herself and got him a beer from the fridge and collapsed into the sofa across from him, placing her feet onto the coffee table she threw him his drink and settled back to enjoy hers as she stared at him expectantly, "You called?"
"Yes, I need to talk to you." Balthazar sighed as he nibbled on his lip. "I am so sorry f-,"
"I don't want to hear your whining," Blue rolled her eyes, "I got myself into that because that was my decision, and I can take care of myself." She eyed him pointedly, "If you have anything worthwhile to say; then get over with it already."
"Alright," He rubbed his hand over his face. It was good to have her straightforwardness to combat his tendencies to brood endlessly, "I have some very good news."
"You're coming out of the closet?" Blue sipped on her soda, smiling wickedly as he sprayed out his drink in shock.
"Blue!" Balthazar snarled at her, "I proposed to Sadie."
"And?"
"We're to be married."
"To each his own, I suppose." She smirked, "Good for you, Balthazar."
"Thanks." He leaned back in his seat, "The ceremony is tomorrow." She simply raised a brow in question. "I can't wait for her to be mine, not anymore. You are to attend."
"No."
"What?" he stared at her flabbergasted, "Why not?"
"There will be people there, I don't like other people." She shrugged, Balthazar couldn't argue with that.
"What if the people stay away from you?"
"I've tried. They're like fucking leeches."
"I give you my word, just come." Balthazar sighed.
"If you insist, I will come for as long as I have to and not a moment longer."
"Deal," Balthazar smiled in contentment, all was right with his world.
A sharp pain on his forehead caused him to double over; he clutched his head in agony. Blue laughed at his misery, eyeing him with a pleased look in her eye.
"That's for thinking you can make deals and double cross me."
"Fucking hell," He growled.
"At least I didn't throw a knife."