NINETY SEVEN

I can't believe what I see. Is this real? Because if this is all just a dream, I don't want to wake up.

Prince tries to move his finger again, but he's still very weak. I stroke his hand, a soft smile touching my lips as tears brim my eyes.

"You-you woke up," I whisper.

He gazes at me with his intense eyes. "I had a dream," he rasps, his voice just as weak as his stare. "And there, you called me. Many times."

I brush my fingers across his cheek. There's a tear in the corner of his eye, and I wipe it away as it escapes. "I've been thinking .. " he pauses, his voice hoarse. "What if you haven't forgiven me? I couldn't just go away, leaving you like that, could I?”

My lips tremble, and I choke in tears. He stares at me, his eyes begging. "Cheska," he whispers. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all that I've done to you. I'm sorry that I hurt you."

I shake my head. He's begging me like he's dying. He has sacrificed himself to save me to the point that he almost lost his life. But now, here h