Match Made in HeVan by Lucy Kelly

emergency entrance was filling with people, warriors and half of the Assembly members.
    “I need a status report on Queen Malpha. Where is my wife?” he asked.
    “If you’ll wait just a moment, Majesty, I’ll check and see,” he said.
    He had come back from his break to find the entire emergency station in an uproar. He rushed to find a doctor or nurse who could give King Ben information on his wife. He returned minutes later with the doctor who had assisted when the queen had arrived.
    “Majesty, if you’ll come with me?” he asked, knowing the king would want to hear this news in private.
    After the king and two of his warriors entered the exam cubicle, the doctor explained in a quiet voice.
    “The scans we did show the knife pierced the lung and nicked the queen’s liver. There is internal bleeding, but not as much as there may have been if the knife had been removed from the wound. She was sent straight into surgery. We will save the queen. It was unknown when she went up, if we would be able to save the baby. If you go to the surgical station on the second floor, you will be met,” he explained, leading the king to the lift.
    Ben, his heart in his throat, went up to the surgical station. Another doctor met him as he stepped out of the lift. He gave the king a more detailed explanation of what was happening in the surgical bay. He wished he could see what was happening. At the same time, he understood that to see Malpha in pain and bleeding, cut open, would be too hard for him.
    An hour later, Thors and BianCa arrived to sit with him. BianCa was trying not to cry. Thors asked Ben if there was anything he could take care of for him. The king raised his head where it was resting in his hands, his eyes blazing.
    “Take care of the traitor. I don’t want to see him again,” he said, his voice rough, cracking a little.
    “It will be done,” Thors said, stepping out of the waiting lounge.
    BianCa walked over to the window and stared out. Looking down, she saw the area surrounding the hospital had begun to fill with people. T here had to be over a thousand . Stepping over to the warrior at the door, she asked him to find out why so many had gathered. He explained that since the assassination attempt had been so public, many found out about it right away. His counterpart outside the building had communicated to him the crowd was peaceful. There to support the royal family. When she understood, she went over and sat down next to her brother. Reaching over, she took one of his hands.
    “She’s strong, Ben, she’ll pull through.”
    “They said we may lose the baby,” he whispered.
    “I don’t think Malpha will let that happen, brother. She’s waited too long to have a child. Have faith in your wife.”
    “I do. She’s everything to me, BianCa. I don’t think I could live without her. I know we’ve only been wed for a short while, but I love her already,” he said.
    “You’re not the only one. The hospital is surrounded by those who love her. Even though you’ve only been married for a little more than half a year, that’s plenty of time to fall in love. I loved Thors within minutes of meeting him,” she said.
    “I’m glad you’ve found your one, sister. You deserve to be happy.”
    “So do you. I know Malpha loves you very much, too. She’s looking forward to a long life full of children, laughter, and loving.”
    The two of them sat quietly, waiting to hear the words that Malpha and their babe would be alright.
    A little over an hour later, the doctor who had operated came to the lounge. BianCa and Ben stood to hear the news.
    “We were able to get the bleeding under control. The lung had collapsed but she’s breathing fine. The baby survived the surgery. I’d like to keep the queen in the hospital under observation for a week and then I believe she should remain on bed rest for at least one additional month to avoid complications. The fact that she is in such excellent physical condition