Chapter 24
Her Grace said, “no.” She had permitted them to move her to her bed. The hospital bed was elevated at the head to keep her from choking on the fluid in her lungs. She had agreed to take the saline and sucrose solutions. But, she did not have time to rest.
Dr. Evelyn Botha was used to her will and, unlike the acolytes and others, the doctor was absolutely certain Her Grace was mortal.
Buy ReWire today on Amazon for only $3.99
“Your Grace, this is not negotiable. I am giving you a sedative through your IV now. I insist you sleep at least six hours and then I will wake you myself. You have others to help you in our mission.” As Dr. Botha spoke she injected the gentle sedative into the IV.
“But, but…” The doctor waited until Her Grace was sleeping and then placed the stethoscope to her ears and listened to the woman’s heart and lungs for long minutes. She speed dialed a number in her mobile.
“It’s me. I am sure the murmur is there. We will have to do an MRI and an ultrasound to see how much damage there is.”
The doctor’s voice quivered with exhaustion.
The voice on the other end of the phone, cultured, bass, and purposely neutral in accent asked, “Can you keep her alive?”
The doctor opened her mouth to answer with an emphatic yes and then stopped. It was her job to keep Her Grace alive. If she did not succeed she knew she would face harsh discipline. Evelyn had a higher calling. Her highest duty was to her savior and Church. The Church needed to know if there was a chance that its strongest sword might never be raised in battle again.
“If she were anyone else I would say no. It is not that she fears death. I think she would welcome it, if allowed. She knows that she is the best weapon in our savior’s arsenal. She lives to serve. She has cheated death for so long. I think it would be prudent to look at succession plans, making sure they are in order.”
Her Grace’s drug induced sleep carried her back in time. Back before the accident, before her vows, when she was like almost any other preteen girl. She had loved to run. Her legs were strong and she was fast. She remembered when she won her first race.
She showed the medal to her second oldest sister. Chastity had come in through the bedroom window and was wiping makeup from her face. Chastity never looked happy. Ever. Her sister looked at the medal and at her smiling face and actually smiled back. Sis hugged her and said, “I am happy for you.”
Then Chastity looked down at her chest. The smile left her second oldest sister’s face.
“Let me look at you,” Chastity said. “You are already starting to develop aren’t you?”
Her body was changing and it made her uncomfortable. She looked down.
“Have you had your period yet?” Chastity asked.
“No, not yet,” she said. She was afraid to look at her second oldest sister. Afraid she might give away the secret. Father had promised something very special for her when she had her period. She couldn’t imagine feeling any better than she felt when he touched her. It was their secret, her secret and father’s and no business of anyone else.
Buy ReWire today on Amazon for only $3.99
“He’s been touching you hasn’t he?” Her sister asked.
She couldn’t stop herself and looked up. How could sister know unless she was watching? Unless….