Chapter 66 – A Conversation About a Building
Dante leaned down and kissed Bella softly on the lips, lingering just long enough for her to feel the warmth and reassurance in the gesture. When he pulled back slightly, he brushed a strand of hair from her face and said gently: "We have to let Dad know you've already woken up."
Bella, with her head still resting comfortably against Dante's chest, listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. She let out a small, tired sigh before replying: "I understand. I just don't know how to act. After all, I almost died. He must have been really worried about me. I don't know what to say to him."
Dante tightened his arms around her protectively, his hold firm but careful not to overwhelm her still-recovering body. "You don't need to say anything," he murmured against her hair. "He'll just be happy that you're alive and well. Everyone was extremely worried about you. It wasn't just me. My mom and Alice were also really worried about you. We all were. The house felt empty without you, and every minute you were unconscious felt like forever."
Bella lifted her head just enough to meet his eyes, searching them for any trace of exaggeration or empty comfort. Finding only sincerity, she gave a small, grateful nod. "Well, now that I'm no longer human and I'm half-dragon, I need to know something. Is there any side effect to this transformation?"
Dante shifted slightly so they were both more comfortable, keeping one arm securely around her waist while he considered how best to explain. "Well, regarding the powers you gained, we need to go to a safe place to run some tests somewhere open, away from people, where you can't accidentally hurt anyone while we figure out your new strength and speed. But one weakness you'll probably have is that every time you get into a vehicle whether it's a boat, a car, or a motorcycle you'll probably get motion sick. The dragon part of you doesn't like being confined or moved passively. Your inner balance is tied to flight and control now, so anything that takes that away from you will feel wrong."
Bella looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. "Just that? Nothing about craving blood, devouring people, or destroying places?"
Dante let out a soft chuckle, the sound low and warm against her ear. "No, just that. There are no other side effects like that. You're not going to turn into some kind of monster overnight. If you destroy something, it'll be because you were angry and wanted to do it. It won't be the power's fault it'll be yours. The strength, the speed, the durability… those are just tools. How you use them is still up to you."
Bella processed his words slowly, letting them settle. "I understand." She tilted her head up and kissed him again, this time slower, more deliberate, pouring gratitude and something deeper into the contact. When she pulled back, she whispered: "Thank you then for saving me."
Dante kissed her forehead tenderly, letting his lips linger there for a moment. "You're my sister. Of course I wouldn't let you die."
Bella, hearing the quiet certainty in his voice, smiled a real, soft smile that reached her eyes for the first time since waking up.
At that moment the door to the room opened quietly, and Charlie and Sera stepped inside.
Charlie's eyes immediately locked on Bella. Seeing her awake and sitting up in Dante's arms, his face lit up with raw relief. "Daughter, I'm so glad you're okay."
Dante, noticing his father moving toward the bed, quickly raised a hand. "Dad, wait. Don't come closer."
Charlie froze mid-step, confusion clouding his features. "What is it, Dante? Why do I have to stop and not come closer?"
Dante looked at his father with a mix of happiness and caution. "Dad, Bella just woke up and, thanks to my heart, like I said, she turned half-dragon. Meaning she has a lot of strength right now. She just got this power. She doesn't know how to control it yet. So it's better to avoid things like hugs until she can control her power. The strength of the hug she's giving right now could tear a person in half."
Charlie's eyes widened slightly as the words sank in. He exhaled slowly, visibly calming himself. He then looked at Dante and asked: "So what should I do? I want to see if she's okay."
Dante thought for a brief second before nodding. "I know. Dad, come, sit in this chair next to the bed."
Charlie obeyed, moving carefully and sitting down in the chair beside the bed, close enough to see Bella clearly but far enough to stay safe.
Dante gently eased Bella down until she was lying flat on the mattress again. He adjusted the pillow behind her head and said: "There. Bella, you two can talk. Just don't move too much, Bella, or you might end up hurting him without meaning to."
Bella nodded carefully. "Okay."
Charlie, seeing his daughter fully awake and responsive, let out a shaky breath and smiled through the emotion in his eyes. "Good that nothing happened to you, daughter. I'm really sorry I couldn't help you at all."
Bella looked at her father, guilt flashing across her face. "This wasn't anyone's fault. It was an accident. No one knew this was going to happen. You can't blame yourself for it."
At that moment Sera stepped closer to Charlie, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I told you. You don't need to blame yourself. Bella is okay now. Thank goodness the worst didn't happen."
Charlie nodded slowly. "Yes, thank goodness. But I was really worried about her. After all, when Dante told me about her condition, I thought that..." He took a deep breath to steady himself. "That doesn't matter anymore. The good thing is that everything has passed. Now we can go back to our normal lives."
Dante scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "About Bella, I'm going to have to train her for a while before she can return to normal life going to school, those kinds of things. Because the way she is now, she could rip a person's hand off with just a handshake."
Charlie's expression turned serious as he absorbed the implications. "In that case, it's better to avoid places with people until her condition stabilizes. After all, we don't want anyone to get hurt in an accident and end up seriously injured."
Bella said quietly: "Yes, I understand. I'll learn to control this strength with my brother quickly so I don't hurt anyone by accident."
Dante gave her a reassuring nod. "Don't worry. I'll help you with that. You can relax."
At that moment his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. Dante pulled it out and saw Jasmine's name on the screen.
He glanced at his family and said: "I'm going to take a call."
Sera smiled warmly. "Go take care of your things, son. We'll take care of Bella. I'm a demigod. I can still do this keep an eye on Bella."
Dante said: "Thanks, Mom."
He stepped out into the corridor, found an empty chair near the nurses' station, and answered the call.
"Hi, what's up?"
Jasmine's voice came through bright and warm. "Good morning, dear. How are you? I miss you so much."
Dante smiled despite himself. "We talk every day. I call you and Amber."
Jasmine laughed softly. "It's not the same thing and you know it. So, when are you coming to see us?"
Dante leaned back in the chair. "If you want, I can come tonight. But why did you call, dear?"
Jasmine said: "Oh yes, I remembered. You know the building you sent me the address to look for the owner to buy? He wants to schedule a meeting with you for tomorrow morning."
Dante nodded even though she couldn't see him. "Tomorrow morning. I think there's no problem at all. Tell him I agreed to that time."
Jasmine said: "Understood. I'll let him know. But now, dear, why do you want to buy that building so soon? Is there any special reason?"
Dante's smile turned thoughtful. "Well, I just think it looks like it'll bring me luck. But after the purchase, you and your Amber can move into the building and stop living in a hotel."
Jasmine let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness. A hotel is great, but we don't have the privacy and comfort of living in our own home."
Dante said: "Yes. But don't worry. If everything goes well, you can move in the same day tomorrow."
Jasmine said: "Well, I hope everything goes right. Then I'm going to hang up to arrange everything with him. See you later, dear."
Dante said: "Yes, see you later."
He hung up the phone and slipped it back into his pocket.
Dante stared up at the ceiling for a long moment, letting the quiet hospital sounds wash over him—the distant beeping of monitors, the soft shuffle of nurses' shoes, the low murmur of voices from other rooms. He thought: Let's see if we can get Bella out of the hospital today. After all, I want to teach her the basics about her powers.
He turned his head toward the window, where sunlight poured in, bright and golden, painting warm stripes across the linoleum floor. He murmured to himself: "But it's a beautiful day to train."