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Refusing to be disheartened, she told herself tomorrow was a new day with new opportunities.
    “Chey?”
    Sitting up, she twisted a look over her shoulder. Natalia stood in the doorway, looking as if she'd come straight from the private airport. Attired in a sundress with tropical colors, hair styled back away from her face and sunglasses in place, Natalia dropped a large carry-on bag next to the wall on her way toward the bed. She removed her glasses and stashed them in a front pocket. Her eyes shifted from Chey to Sander, expression switching immediately to a pained frown.
    “Hey. He hasn't woken up yet,” Chey said, catching Natalia up on the details. She knew the woman had been halfway around the world on royal business and was only now arriving back in Latvala.
    Stopping on the other side of the bed, Natalia hesitated, then reached a hand out to touch Sander's arm. “What do the doctors say? He will wake up, won't he?”
    “They don't know. No one really knows what will happen from here.” It was hard for Chey to admit. Without warning, Natalia's chin quivered and she bent down to put her forehead against Sander's temple. A few quiet sobs shook her slender body.
    Since the night Chey found Natalia having what amounted to a breakdown at the family seat, Natalia had been something of a different woman. Quieter, more introspective, less argumentative. Definitely less snarky. Now, faced with a brother laid low by an unexpected attack, she wore her heart on her sleeve, expressingsincere sorrow for his current state.
    Chey wasn't sure what to do. She could commiserate with the pain, although she knew they experienced it on different levels. What Natalia felt for Sander was difficult for Chey to pin down, though it appeared as if a lot of the woman's nasty comments regarding Sander hadn't been directed at him so much as at life itself. Sander was an easy target. The way he'd defended Natalia, protected her from the marital contract drawn up by their father had to go a long way in making Natalia see that Sander's heart was in the right place.
    The stricken King had no reaction to Natalia's presence or her tears. He didn't rouse, didn't twitch. It pained Chey to see him so still, appearing lifeless stretched out on the hospital bed. Finding comforting words for Natalia didn't come easy.
    “He'll pull through, Natalia. He's strong and as stubborn as you and I. He just needs a little time,” Chey said.
    “He better. Does anyone know who did this yet?” Natalia asked, smearing a few tears from under her eyes.
    “Not yet. They're still investigating. So far, no one can get ahold of Mattias, so apparently the council recommended Paavo take over until he comes home or Sander wakes up.” Chey paid close attention to Natalia's reaction to the news. She appeared startled in the seconds following, leading Chey to believe that Natalia knew nothing about it until now.
    “I guess that's what they have to do if they can't locate Mattias. I'm sure it won't be long until someone gets through.” Natalia gazed at Sander, remorse and more in her eyes.
    “I hope so.” That was all Chey felt safe saying. She didn't think it wise to confess her hesitation about Paavo taking the throne or her concern that it might go to Paavo's head again. Although things between herself and Natalia had improved dramatically, they didn't hang out together and weren't best friends. A tentative truce existed, the gap growing a little smaller with each passing month.
    Natalia leaned down to press a soft kiss against Sander's temple. Straightening, she said, “I'm heading to the family seat. Will you text me the second he wakes up or the doctors have any news?”
    “Yes, as soon as something changes.” Chey stroked her fingers over Sander's arm.
    “Thanks.” Natalia paused after putting a whisper in Sander's ear and met Chey's eyes. “Take care of yourself. You look exhausted.” Then she swept out of the room, closing the door with a soft click.
    Chey