Chapter 28

Helena

Days passin a monotonous blur of agony and uneasy sleep. When lucid, I glean bits of whispered conversations around my sickbed. Those demons nearly beat me to death. I suffered massive internal trauma and hemorrhaging. The doctors shake their heads, bewildered at my rallying back from the brink, despite the dire prognosis.

Usually, Raphael is with me, unless duties call him away for brief spans of time. Even the haze of medication cannot mask his bottled fury, the grief carved deeper into his features each time I claw my way back to consciousness. But he hides it well, with gentle touches of encouragement and soothing words, until I drift off again. Still, in my half-conscious state, I glimpse the simmering rage in his eyes when he believes me sleeping.

My uncle has not come, unsurprisingly. Any family loyalty withered away long ago. He likely sees this assault as justified punishment for my “treason.” I know I should have reached out to him sooner, but I desperately needed to prove myself worthy of my bloodline... I was such a fool.

I prop myself up on the pillows, sipping at watery broth. Words come out in slow rasps as I try to speak to the nurse. She pats my shoulder with sympathy, her voice soft and reassuring. “Dr. Raphael has hardly left your side, not even to sleep,” she says, her words piercing my chest like a sharp knife. “You are so very loved, dear girl.”

As she exits the room, her simple statement echoes in my mind. It’s true—Raphael loves me beyond reason, beyond what I deserve. He never wavered when disaster struck, remaining steadfast while I faltered. Tears stream down my cheeks faster than my bandaged hands can wipe them away.

“Sweetheart, are you crying? Is the food that bad around here?” a gentle voice asks, breaking through my thoughts.

My head jerks up in surprise as a strange visitor slips into the room. She’s petite, with vibrant red hair cascading around her delicate features, dominated by empathetic sapphire eyes. As she approaches the bed, her lithe frame exudes a banked strength that belies her initial frail appearance. An odd prickle runs down my spine at her presence. I sense instinctively deeper reservoirs of power within her, behind the compassionate gaze that carefully sizes me up as I do the same to her in return.

“Sorry, darling. Bad joke...” She inhales subtly, her slender shoulders squaring. “Helena? I’m Gabrielle, Raphael’s sister...” Her uncertain introduction trails off as she gauges my reaction to hearing my beloved’s name mentioned. But the unexpected support and concern from people outside my family breaks the dam that has been barely holding back my emotions since the tragedy. I am left feeling completely vulnerable and alone.

Tears rim my eyes, blurring my surroundings. My trembling chin dips in shame, but she slides beside me. A comforting arm wraps around my shoulders, offering solace for the jagged wounds that torment my soul. The pain is more than physical, inflicted with brutal force, but this woman’s presence soothes it all.

“Shh... darling, hide nothing from your sister,” she coos sweetly. It’s like she’s working magic, freeing the words trapped in my constricted throat. She knows how long I’ve held back this sorrow, and now she’s here to help me release it. “Everything still feels so raw, doesn’t it? But we’ll cry and curse the injustice together, hmm?”

With a shaky nod, I take comfort in Gabrielle’s presence. She silently hands me tissues as I struggle to contain my emotions. My thoughts finally steady enough to form words, I begin to pour out my fragmented grief—the cruel violence that almost took my life and dreams, the nights of waking up in terror, only to find solace in Rafa’s light. And through endless tears, Gabrielle remains patient and steadfast, a pillar of strength like unyielding granite cliffs weathering the relentless pounding of the ocean.

My eyes are swollen, tears finally flowing after being held back for so long. But Gabrielle’s slender hands work their magic, gently soothing my temples and easing the pounding in my head. She lifts my chin with tender care, until our gazes meet and I see the fierce determination etched on her beautiful face.

“Dearest one,” she whispers, “know that you never have to face the shadows alone again. Together, we will conquer any lingering demons and seek the righteous justice that Raphael promises.” Her conviction is unwavering. “Hell itself will regret ever crossing those we hold dear.”

Shivers run down my spine as I imagine the wrath of divine retribution descending upon those who have nearly stolen my life and love. Beside me, Gabrielle shifts closer, our fingers entwined like battle-worn warriors facing an uncertain future together. The mere thought of their effortless display of power overwhelms me with sickness, as I am reminded of the vast gap between us.

As if sensing the shift in mood, Gabrielle lightly nudges my bandaged shoulder. “Hey, enough with the serious talk. We deserve a bit of fun now and then, don’t we?” A mischievous glint sparkles in her eye as she reveals a contraband candy bar—an Almond Joy—with dramatic flair. “Come on, sister dear, you can’t live off of gelatinous broth forever. Sometimes, we must break the rules and indulge. Raphael himself admitted that your abilities rival his own...”

I halfheartedly swipe at her, trying to playfully fend off her teasing. But my chest tightens unexpectedly, and she immediately senses the pain behind my facade.

“You know, Raphael never believed the vicious rumors about you and Kane having an affair,” Gabrielle says, gently tilting my chin up. “He knew your enemies were just trying to destroy your happiness out of envy.”

There were rumors? Me, having an affair with that loathsome fiend?

Her words unravel the icy bands constricting my ribcage, allowing oxygen to rush back in and brighten the dreary edges. I cling to her conviction, feeling a glimmer of hope stirring within me after so long. Only Raphael could see past the expectations of my tainted legacy and witness the bruised but still beating heart underneath. From the very beginning, he willingly walked into emotional minefields and defended me against the toxic influences and discouragement of my family’s bitter heritage.

My tongue stirs sluggishly under the weight of these new revelations taking shape. “He deserves far better than me. Someone who’s a lighter burden...” I whisper hoarsely, half wishing fate’s tempest would sweep him away to a gentler existence, where he can walk untroubled by my cursed past.

But Gabrielle’s stern look brooks no self-deprecation. “Helena, you are a treasured prize, not a burden to be carried.” Her voice holds an authority that befits the lineage of heaven’s most revered beings, and her eyes gleam with a divine radiance that surpasses even minor deities and forgotten myths.

Tears well up in my eyes at the sight of her radiant aura. Gabrielle’s validation eases a deep pain within me, unfixable by any surgical procedure or therapeutic methods.

Head nodding over half-eaten gelatin, I barely notice Gabrielle whisking away the tray and adjusting the pillows with practiced motions until cool sheets embrace my tender skin. She dims the lights to a soothing ambient glow, her movements sure but infinitely gentle.

“Rest easy, sweetheart...” Her whisper floats as my consciousness ebbs under her tender attentions. “Happiness is near, even if the way appears steep now.”

As Gabrielle’s comforting presence lulls me towards a peaceful slumber, the door to my hospital room creaks open. Startled, I open my eyes, half expecting another unknown visitor. Instead, I see Raphael, his towering silhouette framed against the dim light of the hallway. His eyes find mine immediately, a mix of relief and concern washing over his features.

“Hey,” he whispers, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. He moves closer, his gaze flickering to Gabrielle before returning to me. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

When I finally come fully awake, mind clear of fog, Raphael looks ready to shout in jubilation, despite the weary stoop of his shoulders. He seizes my hand tightly. “I just talked to Michael. The worst has passed,” he declares, half assurance, half prayer. “You’re on the mend, babe.”

Speech is still beyond me, but I squeeze his hand with all my feeble strength. If stubbornness can speed my recovery, I will be up and about in no time. Raphael’s gentle warmth heals me more than any medicine.

Gabrielle stands, glancing at Raphael. “I’ll leave you two alone,” she says, her voice warm. She squeezes my hand gently before slipping out of the room, leaving us in a bubble of intimacy.

“Gaby…” he says as she pauses at the doorway. His lips twitch up in a sincere smile. “Thanks.”

Raphael takes the seat Gabrielle vacated, reaching for my hand. His touch is gentle, but his grasp is firm, grounding. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his eyes searching mine for the truth.

“I’m... managing,” I reply, the words inadequate to describe the maelstrom of emotions inside me. “Gabrielle… She’s... incredible.”

Raphael’s lips curve into a small, proud smile. “Yeah, she’s always had a way of making people feel better. I’m glad she was here for you.”

There’s a pause, a comfortable silence that settles between us. Raphael’s presence is calming, a steady anchor in the chaos that has become my life. I find myself leaning into his touch, craving the comfort and safety it provides.

“Rafa, I’ve been thinking...” I start, my voice barely above a whisper. “About everything that’s happened, about us. I’m scared. I don’t want my troubles to become yours.”

Raphael’s expression softens, his thumb lightly brushing the back of my hand. “Helena, your troubles are my troubles. We’re in this together, remember? I’m not going anywhere.”

His words are a balm to my weary soul. I squeeze his hand, a silent thank you for his unwavering support. Raphael leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“I love you,” I force out, voice cracked and stilted. Speaking shreds my throat, but I forge on. “Love you, Rafa...”

The rest dissolves into coughs. But Raphael’s whole countenance shifts from panic to profound joy and relief. He sinks carefully beside me on the bed, drawing me gingerly into his embrace.

“Those are the sweetest words I’ve ever heard, my brave starfire,” he murmurs against my hair. “I love you most ardently.”

We remain twined in tender silence, his strength pouring into me. Tomorrow, harsh realities will intrude again. But at this moment, we dwell only in shared love and healing; all else held at bay. And for now, it’s enough.