Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)(85)

Viper watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath and replayed in his mind all the moments he desperately hoped to capture from their short time together. He'd lived a lifetime in a span of a few weeks.

Viper didn't hear them move his father from the room next door or the physicians as they came and went. All he saw was Hope laughing in his mind as they tumbled on the floor, her look of passion as their bodies joined.

It was unfathomable to think his greatest joy, his Amare was leaving him behind. So Viper just stared at her in hopes that somehow he could will her to stay, or force time to halt.

Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.



Hope

Hope stared at Viper through the window he was exhausted, asleep, pressed against the thick glass.

The machine beeped as it read her temperature or took a blood sample that someone would study a room away. She felt like shit and her stomach hurt, but Hope didn't feel like she was dying.

She had watched as Adder slipped into the coma and wondered how long she had. She'd been infected worse than him, and he was now gone. How many hours had she slept?

Hope wanted to wake Viper to see his green eyes, but maybe in sleep he was in a better, happier place.

Hope didn't fear death, she knew what was waiting for her. She felt it like a whisper on a breeze. But saying goodbye, separating from the ones she loved was an unbearable pain. Hope felt cheated of her new found love. Then again she also felt blessed to have known love, known Viper, even for a moment. Life offered no guarantees.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Viper asked with fathomless sad eyes.

"You looked so peaceful."

"I can sleep later."

Hope smiled at his hoarse reply.

"And when you dream I will be there." Hope replied trying not to cry again.

Every ounce of her believed that to be true.

A scientist came in and tapped Viper on the shoulder.

"Leave us." Viper growled viciously.

"Viper Rex," It was the first time either of them had heard the title, sadly it wasn't a happy occasion. "I have something I urgently need to discuss with you."

"Unless you have found a cure, it can wait!" Viper roared, as he jumped to his feet.

Hope could hear the strain in his voice and see the toll it was having on him.

The scientist quaked in fear as he shook his head.

"No." The scientist's voice quivered. "But the virus has somehow been eradicated in the Regina."

It took them both a moment to realize what the man had said and who he was talking about. Viper was the new Rex and that meant Hope was the Regina, and...

Viper dropped to his knees and clutched at the man's lab coat.

"Say it again." Viper demanded.

"Sire we don't know how but Regina Hope has fought off the virus."

If the Anguis scientist was afraid before he was no doubt terrified now as Viper let out a whoop and jumped to his feet. He picked up the poor man and spun him around. Then just as quickly released the man and pressed himself to the glass.

"Did you hear that Hope?"

She smiled and nodded with bleary eyes that were crying again. It was a good thing they were pumping her with fluids because she was leaking like a sieve.

"How?" Viper turned to the man who was still picking himself up off the floor.

"We are unsure. Something in her blood is fighting and killing the Morbo Virus, but we haven't isolated it yet. We think it may be something unique to her or her kind. We don't know without further tests and samples."

"When can she leave?" Viper was almost giddy.

"Please Viper Rex we are just now certain that she is winning the battle. The Regina could still be carrying the virus or in some kind of remission."

Hope watched as Viper's mood deflated slightly.

"Hey don't pick out my burial plot so quickly!" Hope admonished him. This was good news, and they were going to run with it.

"Give us a few more days in quarantine and then a bit longer in regular observation please. This... this is monumental!"

Hope smiled at the scientist who'd relaxed some. Once he got past his initial fear of Viper, she could see the man of science was truly as excited as they were. That meant a lot considering how long they'd been searching for a cure.

Viper turned to Hope again as the man left.

"I wish I could get you out of here!"

"Patience." Hope smiled at her large mate, taking a second to look at him, to memorize him in this moment in time.

His dark brown dreads were pulled back from his rugged face, showing off his strong sharp features. Hope was always amazed how different and yet similar they were since they came from worlds apart. Creation was a wondrous thing. It didn't matter if you believed a Divine hand guided it or not, the magic hid in the fact that It Was, they Were.