Queen of the Underworld | Book 3

• twenty-three •

//Song: Wake Up World - UNSECRET ft Ruelle

The slowly brightening room woke me.

I frowned against the heavy weight on my chest. Slowly, I opened my eyes taking in my surroundings.

It wasn't my apartment nor my room in Blackdown Keep. The dresser and bookcase my eyes landed on were painted white and unfamiliar. The room carried a quaint beach theme throughout with pictures and paintings of palm trees and a beach shore.

The large, cushy bed wasn't my own but the cool sheets were welcome against my burning skin. Had I been running a fever?

I moved to get up again and froze when my eyes fell on the sleeping form in the corner. Julian had his arms crossed over his chest, his chin tucked into his chest as he slept, his feet propped up in the chair in front of him as he sat in his own chair.

"Alteaza," a feminine voice whispered. "You're awake."

The girl sitting in a chair next to me shut the book in her lap, and set it on the nightstand next to me. "Let me help you."

She took my hand gently but I tugged it back forcefully.

Leah bowed her head low, not meeting my gaze. Her body dipped low as she crossed one foot behind the other. "Please let me help you," her voice was small. "Damien has made me swear to every river in the Underworld that I won't hurt you." I watched her hesitate. "I would have to slit my own throat first before harming you it's part of the bargain. I swear I only want to help."

Damien had done...what?

I watched her for a moment. Hesitantly, I gave in, giving her my hand but still didn't speak unable to form words. Using her hand as leverage, I hoisted myself up and was able to sit up straight. Leah placed a large pillow behind my back to help me stay up and when satisfied, reached for a cup next to me with a straw.

I eyed her.

"It's water," she whispered. "You need it."

I frowned but noticed that I was thirsty. I took the straw she offered in my parched mouth as she held it for me.

"You'll need food soon too," she continued. "You've been out for days."

My eyes widened.

She noticed. "Almost a week." She nodded towards Julian. "Neither he nor Damien would leave your side. I managed to convince Damien to sleep just yesterday, he's in the other guest room but not Julian. He wouldn't leave the room, only for showers. He ate in here." She smiled. "You're very lucky."

I swallowed the cool water, and rested against the pillows behind me when I was done. I lifted my arms and looked at them, they were a little dirty. I looked down at my chest, I noticed black lines radiating from the middle of my chest to my collarbone.

"I'll start a shower for you," she moved to get up. "A fresh start will do you good." She opened a side door in the room and disappeared. A few seconds later, I heard water running then the shower.

I didn't argue, instead, I moved to get up, slowly swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

My hand flew to my head, gripping it against a massive headache that began to pound as I moved. Everything was spinning.

Leah was rubbing her hands on her pants as she came out of the bathroom. "Okay, we're going to move really, really slowly to the bathroom. No spectering, I don't know if it will make you dizzy or not." She gave a smile. "Are you ready?"

I nodded and she took my hands, placing my arm over her shoulders. She moved carefully, taking extra care to make sure I was comfortable as we moved. She even made sure the water was at a temperature I was comfortable with. Too hot for her but perfect for me.