Free Regrets of The Fallen (Victis Honor Book 1) by Jake Taylor

stitching. Help her sit up so I can bandage her.”
    Haruka nodded, gently taking Isabella’s shoulders, though she seemed to be able to sit up under her own power. Haruka helped the doctor wrap around Bella’s waist, trying to keep her eyes focused only on her stomach, which seemed to amuse Isabella and Vivian both. After it was done the doctor cleaned the area again and then stood up to wash her hands in a nearby basin. “That bed’s bloody now, I’ll need to wash the sheets. You’ll rest in another room.”
    Haruka easily lifted Isabella again as they moved rooms. She was placed in a new, more comfortable bed. Vivian brought a more comfortable chair into the room. “Let me know if you feel any worse or if the wound gets a different feeling; Shadow magic can have odd effects.” She looked at Haruka. “And you let me know if anything changes.”
    Haruka nodded, taking a seat as the doctor left. Isabella’s bloody robe was taken to be washed with the sheets and she was given a soft, simple one to wear. She looked at Haruka as the monk pulled the blanket over her. “Sorry the day was kind of ruined.”
    Ruka raised an eyebrow. “Sorry? After me.”
    “I know they were after you, but… Well it still feels like my fault.”
    “Blame yourself,” Haruka said with a sigh, “for everything.”
    “I’ll try not to.” She turned onto her uninjured side to look at Haruka. “Think we’ll ever get a break where neither of us is injured?”
    Haruka reached out to brush dark blue locks from Bella’s sweaty forehead, giving her a dry smile. “No.”
    Isabella sighed. “I didn’t think so.” She closed her eyes, smiling as she felt the hand remain in her hair. “I hope you aren’t blaming yourself for this whole incident…”
    Haruka's fingers playing lightly in Bella’s hair. “Right choice,” she stated with conviction. “Dangerous… Troublesome…” She gave a shrug. “Worth it.”
    Isabella opened her eyes to study her. “What’s worth it? The freedom? Me?” Haruka gave her a look and she couldn’t hold it, looking away. “I don’t see how I’m worth it.”
    “Stop,” Haruka said firmly. “Annoying.”
    The knight smiled. “Alright. I’ll try to think better of myself like you seem to do. It’s just… Old habits die hard, you know?”
    “Shouldn’t be.”
    “Even if it shouldn’t be a habit, it is. It’s just one of the many, many things you’ll have to accept if you want me as a friend.”
    “I do,” the monk replied with a nod. “But not accept.” She tilted her head. “Fix.”
    “You think you’re going to fix everything that’s wrong with me?”
    “I’ll try.”
    “That’s…” Isabella sighed. “It’s hard to explain how grateful I am that you’re even willing to try. You know, Haru… I’ve never had a friend. Not a real one. Certainly not one that cares like you do. It may sound silly, but… If you go for long enough with no one else caring about you, you stop caring about yourself, too.” She saw that Haruka was paying close attention to her words so she continued, making sure she spoke honestly. “I’ve just been… waiting, I guess, for a long time. Waiting around. Emotionally, I mean. Life has been pretty stagnant these last twenty years.”
    Haruka made note of that date, believing it was important. Now, though, was not the time to ask about it, as Isabella continued, “Something changed the moment I met you. It’s too soon to understand what, exactly… All I know is that I care what happens to me now. For the first time, I want to keep going, I want to see what happens next, I want to experience more.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “I apologize if this is… sudden, or too personal. But I just want you to know you’re giving me something to live for, and that’s something I’ve never had.” She opened her eyes, attempting a light-hearted smile. “No pressure, though.”
    There really wasn’t a response to such a heartfelt expression of