Royal Pain (Rewritten)

Chapter 38

Deva squinted her eyes open even though they felt more sore than the rest of her body. What did she do, run a marathon? Her gaze shifted around the room and found the people she held most dear pining over her.

"Deva," Marcus was first to disrupt the quiet atmosphere.

"Hey," she spoke weakly. Her mouth was incredibly dry.

Julia moved closer to the bed with a cup of water to bring to Deva's lips. The liquid ran down her throat like a soothing medicine.

"How are you feeling?" Julia placed the cup down.

Deva raised her hand to her throbbing head. "Okay."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Julia didn't feel like hiding her anger or hurt. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what Juls?"

"That you had cancer."

Deva had no excuse or explanation good enough for Julia to understand.

"Adamarius told us everything. He saved you by awaking the lycan inside of you. Deva, why didn't you tell me?"

Deva closed her eyes because she could feel all of their feelings of hurt and betrayal.

"I didn't mean to keep it a secret from you. I promise. It just happened. I found out a week before we were brought here."

"So that was your secret?" Marcus felt like he finally understood exactly why she was so resistant.

"Yes. I have cancer and I didn't want you all to know." Her eyes fell on Lucian who was standing at the end of her bed.

The mere sight of him brought some joy to her. "When Lucian told me the slim chance I'd have of surviving a vampire bite I knew I couldn't be your queen. I fought it. I fought every single one of you because I truly believed I would die."

She felt pathetic and weak admitting her defeat. She wasn't even willing to fight or have faith in her chances of survival.

"I'm sorry Loosh. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"So that's why you drink so much?" Darius blamed himself for not putting the pieces together sooner.

"Among other things but yes. Alcohol helped dull the pain." Her body was gradually failing. Drinking her sorrows away was her way of coping.

"That is the reason you wanted to go home so badly. You wanted to see your family one last time." Izzy sympathized.

"Yes."

"You should have told me Deva. I would have...I would have..." Julia tried to start but Deva cut her off.

"There was nothing you could do. Julia I didn't want you to act differently towards me."

Marcus took Deva's hand in his own. "Well you're fine now. Adam woke up your lycan blood which in turn ate all your cancer cells. Your blood is now ten times stronger and active."

Deva could finally accept it. She wasn't going to die, not anytime soon. Her head fell back onto the pillow as exhaustion struck her.

"Where is Marius?"

"He stepped out. He figured you wouldn't be too happy to see him."

Deva laughed. The mutt knew her well. "Dang!" She shouted randomly.

Every person in the room hovered over her. "Deva what's wrong? Does it hurt?"

"No."

"What is it?" Izzy asked curiously.