Chapter 167

RYKER’S PO.V

I sat in the physician’s quarters with Riley. She looked so peaceful as she slept, her lashes fell to her cheeks and the steady rise and fall of my chest was the only thing that signified to me that she was alive. I watched the tiny movement for what felt like hours fearful that if I even blinked too long, she would never wake. The physician had come in a while ago to check on me but when he realized I wasn’t going to leave, he excused himself and turned in for the night.

A normal person would have done the same considering there were guards outside the room and Camilla had healed her but I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Just the thought of being away right now filled me with dread. I was the only family she had left and I wasn’t going to leave her at a time like this. For as long as I could remember, it was me and her, that was how it had always been and I would be da mned if I allowed it change at such a perilous time.

“We haven’t spoken in a while and I thought I would catch you up on things,” I began remembering something Camilla had told me about being able to hear while in a coma. “You already know about Juan and Christine, according to Camilla, they’re contemplating starting a family. I think Christine would be an amazing mother if she decides to go down that path. I am also thinking of making Juan the second in command. The official title is duke and I know he hates titles but I think he would like it.”

She didn’t move or even breathe deeper to show me that she heard. I should have stopped talking but I couldn’t. Going silent would have meant that I was giving into my thoughts, it would have meant me thinking about everything that was going wrong. For a second, I wanted to pretend like I was speaking to my sister, like we were having a normal conversation and things were great. I wouldn’t have to think about the possibility of her never waking up again.

“It’s a good thing you’re here now, you’ll be able to see Aurora walking. She prefers. to be carried like the little princess that she is but she walks now. It is a nightmare trying to make sure that everything is out of her reach because she has very fast and grabby hands,” I paused for a second before sighing. “I missed you, I know why you had to leave but da mn, I wish you didn’t. I can’t wait for you to wake up and tell me all about your adventures until I think my ears are about to bleed. For one, I really hope you can hear me because you’re not allowed to leave. You are the only good thing I got out of that shi t hole and I am not letting you go so easily.”

I didn’t realize my eyes had started to water until a lone tear slipped out. I wiped it

Chapter 167

away quickly and squeezed my sisters hand softly.

“Just wake up, Riley, please,” I whispered before laying my head on the edge of the bed.

I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to a hand on my shoulder. I jumped immediately thinking it was an intruder but there was pure shock on my face as I looked up at Riley. Her eyes were open and although she wasn’t completely healed, there was some color back on her face and her eyes didn’t look as dull or as dead. I blinked twice hoping that it wasn’t an apparition and she was really awake.

“Arè you going to sit there staring at me all day? For someone who claims to have missed me you are doing a sh itty job at showing it,” she croaked out. Her voice was h oar se from lack of use and exhaustion but she still managed to have a small smile on her face.copy right hot novel pub