The doctors examined her eyes and her ears, asked her to flex her fingers and toes, fired questions at her like What is your mother’s maiden name? and What country is Paris in? Beatrice obediently did as they asked, mind whirling. The sky outside the window was a cheerful robin’s-egg blue, the capital’s skyline oddly comforting, its slate and stone roofs dwarfed by the twin domes of Columbia House and, farther, the white stone bulk of the palace.
“Teddy is on his way,” Samantha offered while the doctors were adjusting Beatrice’s IVs. “He’s going to be so mad he missed your waking up! He’s been here practically every moment since you were hurt.”
Beatrice swallowed, hardly listening. “I…was anyone else in the car with me?” The question came out raspy and weak.
Dr. Jacobs winced sympathetically. “Just the Revere Guard who was driving, Your Majesty. I’m sorry to say that he died on impact.”
No no no. “I…was it Connor?”
“I believe his name was Shane Bartlett.”
Beatrice’s relief was so acute, she gasped out loud. Sam shot her a strange look. “What made you ask about Connor?”
Beatrice blinked. “I’m worried about him. Do you know where he is?”
Sam went very still. “Bee,” she said slowly, using the old nickname from when they were children. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
Dr. Jacobs cleared his throat. “Please, Your Roy—I, um, Samantha. Don’t press her. We will be conducting a series of mental tests over the coming days—”
“I don’t remember the accident,” Beatrice cut in. “Where was I going, anyway?”
The doctor ignored her question. “It’s perfectly normal not to remember the accident. You suffered extensive damage to both sides of your cerebral cortex. Really, it’s a miracle to see you awake and answering questions so coherently,” he added, and smiled. “Though I have to say, I’m not surprised to see you so recovered. You have a remarkably strong will and determination.”
“Does that mean I can go home?”
He hesitated. “We need to keep you here for observation until we’re fully assured of your recovery. But don’t worry, we’ll have you back out there in no time.”
Beatrice splayed her hands over the hospital blankets. Her nails were filed into perfect half-moons, her cuticles pushed back; she wondered absently whether someone had been giving her manicures while she was unconscious.
“Where is everyone?” she asked.
“Jeff will come as soon as he can. And Mom is already on the way,” Sam added. Beatrice started to ask about Dad, but before she could get the words out, Teddy Eaton appeared in the doorway.
“Oh my god. Bee,” he whispered, voice breaking on a sob.
Then, to Beatrice’s shock, he strode forward in a few swift steps and folded his arms around her, closing her in a hug. He paused a moment, then leaned over and brushed a kiss on her brow.
There was so much emotion folded into that gesture, tenderness and relief and a tight-leashed fury, that Beatrice had no idea what to make of it. She held herself very still.
“I can’t believe it. Thank god,” Teddy kept saying, over and over. He turned to Samantha, and a warm smile creased his features. “Sam. Nice hair. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“That was kind of the point,” Sam said ruefully.
He shook his head. “I can’t believe I missed it; I’ve been here the whole time—”
“I know, and I’m so grateful. The doctors told me you hardly left—”
“I should have known she would wake up for you!” Teddy’s smile illuminated the whole room. “What did you say, Sam?”
“Oh, I just asked for her advice about all the problems in my life. Never a shortage of drama when I’m around, is there?”
Teddy nudged Sam’s shoulder playfully. “You don’t want the drama but the drama finds you?”
Beatrice glanced back and forth between them, bewildered. Their energy wasn’t at all flirtatious; if anything, it reminded her of the way Sam and Jeff used to tease each other. But didn’t Sam once have a crush on Teddy?
Beatrice supposed she must have moved on to someone else. Sam’s energies were too wild and restless to stay fixed on any one point for long.
“Dr. Jacobs.” Sam’s voice was surprisingly resolute. “Can you finish up these tests later? Teddy and I need a moment with Beatrice, alone.”
The doctor started to protest, only to fall silent at something in Sam’s gaze. He nodded to her, bowed to Beatrice, then left the room.
When the door had shut behind him, Sam turned back to Beatrice. “Bee. What’s the last thing you remember?”
Teddy threw out a protective hand. “We don’t need to interrogate her; she just woke up.”
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
He hesitated, then looked to Beatrice. “Bee? What do you remember?”
A dizzy feeling snaked up her spine. Trying to remember…it was like stepping into a vast darkness without being able to see her steps. She might fall off an edge at any moment.
“Do you remember the League of Kings?” Sam prompted.
“What about it?” Beatrice asked, to hide her confusion.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“It’s not meant to be a party; it’s work, Sam. But, yes, I enjoyed parts of it.”
“She sounds pretty normal to me,” Teddy joked, resting a hand on Beatrice’s shoulder in a casually affectionate gesture. What was he doing?
Sam ignored him, eyes fixed on Beatrice. “What was your favorite part of the conference?”
“I don’t know! The stables at Chenonceau are pretty wonderful. I borrowed one of their horses and went on a few early-morning rides.” She narrowed her eyes at Sam. “Why are you asking about the League of Kings, anyway? It was years ago.”
Silence. Beatrice looked up and realized that Teddy was no longer smiling.
“She’s lost weeks,” he said softly.
Sam shook her head. “Maybe more.”
“What do you mean, I’ve lost weeks?” Her voice was scratchy; Sam heard it and handed her a cup of water from the bedside table. Beatrice took a small sip, feeling perilously close to tears. She hated not being able to control every situation, and this was as out of control as she could ever remember being.
Teddy fell to one knee by the bed, like a figure in a medieval court painting, and took her hands in his. “Bee—do you remember our wedding?”