Chapter 360 - Three Hundred And Fifty Nine

Chapter 360: Chapter Three Hundred And Fifty Nine

Camilla turned back to Damon. The joy in her heart was so full it felt as though her chest would burst. She moved closer and sat back down on the bed beside him, pulling her legs up onto the soft mattress.

Damon immediately shifted closer to her body. He leaned his upper body against her, resting his head on her breast and wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her flush against his frame.

"I missed you, so much," he whispered, his voice muffled against the soft silk of her nightgown. "I thought I wouldn’t see you again."

Camilla felt a lump form in her throat at his vulnerable words. She raised her hand and gently caressed his dark hair, running her fingers through the soft strands over and over again to soothe him. She loved the feel of his steady weight against her body, proving to her that he was truly awake and breathing.

She spoke, asking him softly, "Do you have pains anywhere?"

Damon nodded his head slowly against her breast, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat beneath his cheek.

He spoke, "Yes. My chest."

He shifted slightly, leaning up just enough to press a soft, lingering kiss against her cleavage, right above the neckline of her gown. He lingering there for a second before tilting his head back to look up into her face.

"But not anymore, now that I’ve seen you," he added, a soft, loving smile playing on his lips.

Camilla looked down at his face, her heart melting at his sweet words. She couldn’t stop the bright smile from spreading across her features.

She thought to herself, "He’s just like a baby. My baby."

Damon smiled back up at her, hearing her thoughts and enjoying the warmth of her touch. But his smile quickly turned to a deep frown as his eyes traveled upward, catching sight of something on her forehead. A clean white bandage was wrapped around the side of her head, partially hidden by her red hair.

His eyes narrowed immediately. He shifted his gaze from her head straight back into her eyes. The soft, loving expression in his brown irises disappeared, replaced by sharp hurt and burning anger that glared brightly from deep within his pupils.

"Who hurt you?" he asked, his voice suddenly sharp, cold, and dark with protective rage.

Camilla reached up with her free hand, her fingers touching the edge of the bandage on her head. She shook her head gently, trying to ease his sudden distress.

"It’s fine," Camilla replied softly, keeping her voice calm and comforting. "It was from the attack."

Before Damon could say another word or demand more details about who had dared to harm her, a firm, polite knock echoed from the open doorway.

"My lady, doctor Aris is here," a quiet voice announced from the hall.

Camilla immediately tried to move away, attempting to remove Damon from her body so she could sit up properly and give the physician space to do his work. But Damon refused to let her go. He tightened his grip around her waist, digging his arms into her sides as he pulled her closer, stubborn in his desire to keep her right next to him.

As he tightened his grip, his arm unknowingly pressed directly against her left side, crushing her bruised ribs.

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through Camilla’s side. She gasped loudly and hissed in pain, her entire body flinching away from his touch.

The sound of her pain hit Damon like a physical blow. He let go of her instantly, his eyes wide with horror and regret. He sat up straight on the bed, ignoring the dull ache at his back as he reached out with trembling hands. He gently caressed her pale cheek with his palm, his voice thick with worry.

"How are you badly injured?" he asked, his eyes searching her face for any sign of agony.

Camilla placed her hand over his on her cheek, squeezing his fingers reassuringly. She took a slow, careful breath, waiting for the sharp sting in her side to fade away into a dull throb.

Camilla replied, "It’s fine. It’s already healing."

She turned her head toward the bedroom door, adjusting her posture slightly.

"Come in," she called out clearly.

Doctor Aris stepped into the bedroom, carrying his medical bag in his right hand. The middle-aged doctor looked exhausted from being summoned in the middle of the night, but the moment his eyes fell upon Damon sitting upright on the bed, a look of profound relief and genuine happiness brightened his face.

He walked over to the side of the bed and bowed deeply from the waist.

"My Lord," Doctor Aris said, a wide smile breaking across his face. "Welcome back to the living."

Damon let out a short, quiet laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit.

He replied, "It’s good to be back."

Doctor Aris placed his bag on the bedside table and stepped closer. He began his examination immediately, working with practiced, gentle movements. He pressed his fingers against Damon’s wrist to check his pulse, held a small candle near his eyes to watch his pupils react, and gently unbuttoned the rest of Damon’s shirt to inspect the thick cloth bandages wrapped around his chest.

After several minutes of careful checking, Doctor Aris let out a satisfied breath and stepped back.

"Your pulse is strong, My Lord, and the wound is closing well without any sign of infection," Doctor Aris reported smoothly. "However, your body is still extremely weak from the blood loss and the fever."

Doctor Aris looked Damon directly in the eye, his expression turning serious and strict. He instructed Damon not to go to the barracks for now and not to indulge in strenuous activities under any circumstances.

Damon nodded his head silently, accepting the doctor’s order without argument. But instead of resting back against the pillows, Damon turned his head and looked sharply at the physician.

"Check my wife too," Damon spoke, his tone firm and commanding.

Doctor Aris offered a calm, patient smile and spoke, "I’ve checked on her yesterday, My Lord. Her condition is stable."

Damon insisted, his eyes fixing on the doctor with unwavering authority, "Check her again."

Doctor Aris knew better than to argue with a stubborn lord who had just returned from the brink of death. He bowed his head respectfully.

"As you wish, My Lord," Doctor Aris complied.

The doctor turned his attention to Camilla. He reached out and gently checked the clean bandage wrapped around her head, making sure there was no fresh bleeding or swelling beneath the cloth. He then asked her to take a deep breath while he lightly pressed his fingers against her side, carefully examining her injured ribs and her back through the fabric of her nightgown.

After completing his assessment, Doctor Aris stepped back and smiled warmly at both of them.

"Her injuries are healing just fine," Doctor Aris announced reassuringly. "She needs rest, proper food and daily application of the ointment I gave her, but she is recovering remarkably well."

Damon let out a slow breath he had been holding in his chest, the worry fading from his eyes.

"Thank you for your services, doctor Aris," he said, his voice sincere and full of respect.

Doctor Aris bowed low as he picked up his bag from the table, tucking it securely under his arm.

"It is my pleasure, My Lord," he said with a respectful nod.

He bid them a good night, turned around, and walked quietly out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him.