Fifty-Eight

Adonis

I lay in my king-size bed, surrounded by a pile of pillows, watching Natalia worry herself to death. She opened the heavy drapes to let in the natural light and turned on the flat-screen television.

"I know what you need," she said, her feet bouncing out. "Purified air to flush out the poison that witch Sophia injected into you. I'll be right back."

She ran outside and returned moments later, thrusting a small green bottle under my nose. "This will get all of the poison out of your lungs. I’ll make you some soup to make you feel better. Your doctor is downstairs. Would you like me to fetch him?’

I shook my head, shifting uncomfortably, wondering why Natalia was being nice to me.

Given that I forced her to marry me, she should hate me and be unconcerned about my well-being. I was not worthy of her concern, especially after depriving her of freedom.

Yet here she was, nursing me back to health and even defending me against Sophia's lame attempt at seduction the day before.I felt so