My skin practically jumped and my neck cords were tight. There was no way I’d want this for us. I said, “You don’t need to.”
She went to the door as she said, “I want this. It will be fine.”
“This feels wrong,” I said, but she opened the door.
And immediately the blue eyes of my sister met mine.
“I was keeping Doctor Caia company,” she said. “Is everything okay?”
Nicole waved them both in and said, “Your brother’s indignant over this.”
She rolled her eyes, but she bounced as the doctor and her staff returned. She raised her eyebrow and asked, “Really? Need me to keep him in line?”
Nicole waved her in. “Sure, if you can keep him calm.”
She pointed to the exam bed and the doctor motioned that she’d need to take the skirt off, then handed her a sheet to put over her. Then the medical staff left again while Nicole stripped her skirt off and tossed it on a chair. She climbed onto the bed and spread the sheet over herself from the waist down.
“I’m calm. Let them in now.”
My sister went before I could utter a word. As the door opened, Nicole took my hand but said, “Emily, thank you for helping.”
The team got to work and Nicole just gazed at me, like I protected her and everything was fine.
Except it wasn’t. The doctor had what seemed like pliers, but both Emily and Nicole didn’t bat an eye as the circular plastic instrument was inserted. I turned away. The process made my stomach turn.
Emily squeezed my arm and said, “Doctor, finish up with my new sister-in-law fast.” And then Nicole asked, “Are you okay, Ryder?”
I forced my cheeks higher in a stiff smile and held onto her hand. If she could pretend so convincingly that this was all fine, I was in trouble. I liked knowing when people were lying to me. But I said, “Yeah.”
The doctor took the scope and plastic pliers and placed them on a tray. Nicole sat up like she was fine and asked, “Are we done?”
The doctor took off her gloves and motioned for her team to go as she said, “I am.”
Nicole swung her legs over the side of the bed, ready to get up.
“Prognosis?” I asked and stopped the doctor from leaving right away.
Her gaze had a twinkle, but she crossed her arms and said, “I’m to report to the king first, but unofficially, I’d start planning the wedding now.”
“Excellent.” Nicole called out.
The doctor and staff stepped out. Nicole tugged her skirt on like she was fine.
My skin tingled but my sister stood there like all of this was normal too.
So I calmed down. Hopefully, I’d never see anything like this ever again. Once Nicole had her skirt back on my sister waved and said, “I’ll leave you two alone.”
She had a small giggle on her lips as she stared at me, but then she popped out the door.
Nicole called after her, “Thanks for coming, Emily.”
The technicians returned to take away the medical equipment as Nicole said, “I like your sister.”
My body still had the weight of what I’d done pushing against it, but I stayed at attention like this was an army drill till the medical team was gone.
Nicole snapped a picture of the ocean and then closed the window. Once we were alone, I breathed deeper and asked, “You ready to get out of the castle for a while?”
She grabbed a pair of sandals that matched her beautiful pixie look and cupped them around her heels as she asked, “Where are we going?”
