Evelyn POV
My eyes open and at first I think I am still in the lake, still being held under water. My vision is unclear, murky even and my lungs feel restricted…as if I’m not controlling my own breathing. Please don’t tell me I was still fighting for my life?
As my vision starts to focus I see Reuben’s head laying by my side, his hands gripped around me. His hair was a mess from how often he must have run his hands through it, he’s clearly been by my side for some time.
Looking around the room, I must be in the hospital but what does that mean? Does that me everyone was okay? Where were Rex and Elspeth?
I hear footsteps enter the room and readjust my sore neck to see Noah checking on something by the wall. He doesn’t notice that my eyes are open, just how long had I been in here…
“Noah?” I push on the mind-link, my voice unavailable right now. He stiffens, as is he thinks his mind is playing tricks on him.
He turns, his eyes meeting mine as he sighs in relief, letting his shoulders relax.
“I was so worried…”
“The children?” I try to move, the oxygen mask on my mouth irritating me.
“No Evelyn, no sudden movements.” He’s in front of me before I know it, pushing me back down onto the bed.
“Rex and Elspeth are fine..”
“Cassandra?”
“She’s fine too. I got all the poison out.”
“Poison?”
“Yes she was shot with a wolfsbane bullet. She and the rest are home now except for you.” His voice continues in my head as flashbacks return to me of Vicky and Malcolm, the Lake House on fire and the sword in the lake.
Noah’s hand leaves my shoulder to rest upon Reuben’s back, and starts shaking him slightly awake. Which causes Reuben to wake up with a start, his eyes checking the room for a threat before they zone in on me.
“Thank the goddess, how do you feel?” His relief is clear on his face as he starts kissing me all over my face and neck.
I go to move the oxygen mask again when Reuben commands that I keep it on. My voice still not keen to present itself just yet.
“Do you remember what happened?” Reuben asks me as he kisses my hands that are held tightly in his.
I close my eyes from the memory that angered me to relive. From her destroying the Lake House, for her being dead at the bottom of the lake. He must feel my emotions, read my thoughts as he brushes my face gently.
“We can rebuild it, I’ll rebuild it for us
“No…” I shake my head which hurts my neck as I respond to him through the mind-link. It was lost to me forever now.
I would never be able to recreate that sanctuary there, it would forever feel tainted.
I wouldn’t be able to let the kids play in the lake knowing what was beneath it. He’ll offer to fetch her out but to me it’s far better to leave the dead alone. No reason to disturb her final resting place.
My head shakes as a flashback of Liberty trying to pull me out of the lake enters my mind.
“Liberty, is she okay?” I push on the mind-link with Reuben, for his eyes to flash a dark stormy blue as he turns to Noah.
“She’s gone Evelyn. She left you and the kids, she did a runner.” Reuben growls out in a displeased manner.
No that can’t be right. She can’t have gone. What does that mean for Pierce.
“Try not to worry Evelyn, we’ll update you on everything when you are feeling better.” Noah tries to calm my concern but he was right, I needed to get better for….
The baby?
Fear starts to pump through my system from the possibility that she’s taken the baby from me too.
“Hey, calm down…what is it?” Reuben stands up alert, picking up on my change in emotions which were all over the place. All the memories had caused me discomfort to relive but this was a sensation of being distraught. He was right to pick up on it.
Noah hasn’t mentioned the baby, does that mean? I push myself up, determined to sit up this time but they both protest again, pushing me back down.