My eyes was resting on her as she ate slowly, almost too carefully, like every bite carried weight. I didn’t know why, but I found myself staring more than eating. The food on my plate was getting cold, and yet I didn’t care.
I cleared my throat. This is ridiculous, Damon. Just say it.
"Lisa," I said, making her look up at me.
"Yes?" Her voice was soft, her eyes warm but cautious.
I leaned forward a little. "I... I want to know more about you."
Her lips parted slightly, like she hadn’t expected that. Then a small smile spread on her face, the kind that made something shift inside me. "More about me?" she repeated.
"Yes," I said, trying not to sound too desperate. "I mean... you’re here with me, in this palace, in this madness. And yet, I realize I barely know you. What you like, what you hate... who you really are."
Lisa tilted her head, her smile growing. "You don’t remember me, do you?"
I froze. My fork slipped from my hand and clattered onto the plate. "Remember you? What... what do you mean?"
Her eyes twinkled, like she was enjoying my confusion. "We’ve met before, Damon."
I blinked at her, my heart skipping a beat. "No, that’s not possible. I would remember you. Trust me, I would."
"You don’t," she said gently, shaking her head. "But I do."
I leaned closer now, my voice low, almost urgent. "Lisa, don’t play games with me. How could I have met you and not remembered? Tell me. How?"
Her smile softened, turning nostalgic. "It was when we were young. I was just a girl. I was attacked by a rogue. I was so scared. And then... you and your brothers appeared. You fought them off."
My breath caught. My mind tried to rewind the years, to dig through the fog of my memories. I had fought so many battles, saved so many nameless faces. But... her?
"You’re telling me I saved you?" I asked, my voice rough.
"You all did," she said quietly. "You and your brothers. But you... you were the one who held my hand when I was crying. You told me I was safe."
Her words hit me like a punch. A faint image flashed in my mind, a little girl with wide, terrified eyes, her hand gripping mine so tightly it almost hurt. I remembered crouching down, telling her she would be alright, even though my body was still trembling from the fight.
"Gods..." I muttered, leaning back in my chair, staring at her. "That was you?"
Lisa nodded, tears brimming in her eyes now. "Yes. That was me."
I swallowed hard, guilt washing over me. "And I... I forgot?"
She shook her head quickly. "You didn’t forget. You just didn’t recognize me now. I’ve changed. Time changes people."
I rubbed my face with my hands. "Still... I should have remembered. How could I not remember you?"
Lisa reached across the table and touched my hand gently. "It’s okay. What matters is that you remember now."
Her touch burned through me, warm, steady, pulling me back from the storm inside my chest. I stared at her hand on mine, then lifted my eyes to her face.
"Lisa..." I whispered, my throat tight. "I..."
But before I could finish, her face suddenly shifted. Her expression turned pale. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Lisa?" I asked sharply, panic rushing through me.
She pushed her chair back quickly, stumbling to her feet. "I... I don’t feel well."
My heart raced as I watched her run toward the bathroom. I shot up from my chair, following close behind.
"Lisa!" I called, my voice louder now, raw with worry.
I reached the bathroom door just in time to hear her retching. The sound tore through me. I pushed the door open without thinking. She was bent over the sink, her body shaking as she vomited, her long hair falling over her face.
"Lisa!" I rushed to her side, holding her hair back with trembling hands. My other hand rubbed her back, desperate to do something, anything, to ease her pain. "It’s okay, it’s okay, I’m here. Just let it out."
She gasped for breath between waves, her hands gripping the edge of the sink so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Shh, it’s alright," I whispered, my voice breaking.
When she finally straightened up, she was pale, her lips trembling. I quickly grabbed a towel and handed it to her. She wiped her mouth weakly, avoiding my eyes.
"Lisa..." I said softly, my heart still pounding. "What happened? Are you sick? Do you need the healer?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. It’s just... I don’t know. Maybe it’s nothing. I’ve been feeling strange lately."
"Strange how?" I asked, my eyes searching hers.
Her cheeks turned pink. "Dizzy sometimes. Nauseous. Like my stomach doesn’t like me anymore."
I froze. My mind started racing in a hundred directions. Nausea. Dizziness. Was she...? No, I couldn’t jump to conclusions. Not yet.
Still, the thought clawed at me.
I gently cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to look at me. "Lisa, don’t hide things from me. If something’s wrong, I need to know."
I didn’t finish my words when she rushed again, holding her stomach and running back toward the bathroom. I quickly stood up, my chest tightening in panic. The sound of her retching filled the room, and I felt so helpless just standing there.
"Lisa..." I whispered, my voice shaky as I moved closer to the bathroom door.
But before I could even get inside, I saw her fall weakly to her knees, still vomiting. I hurried forward, crouched beside her, and rubbed her back gently. My hand shook as I touched her, not because I was scared of her but because I didn’t know what was happening to her, and I didn’t want her to suffer.
"Anyone out there!" I shouted, raising my voice louder. A guard rushed in almost immediately. His eyes widened when he saw Lisa’s condition.
"Call the royal healer. Now!" I commanded sharply.
"Yes, my lord!" he replied before running out.
I turned back to Lisa, my chest tightening even more at the sight of her pale face. She was breathing heavily, her lips trembling as though every bit of strength in her was leaving her body. I gently carried her in my arms, ignoring the way she clutched at her stomach.
I laid her carefully on the bed, pulling the sheets over her trembling body. She opened her eyes slowly, her gaze finding mine, and whispered weakly.