Episode 146 Whose Side Are You On?
Whose Side Are You On?
A scream rends the air, and Tharios jolts awake with Viala pressed to his side.
“That’s coming from Elowyn’s room.” He sits up before Viala can say anything and blinks a few times. “Where’s my dressing gown?”
“Can you even walk?”
“I suppose we’ll see.”
The tortured cries continue as Viala tosses him his robe, and he throws it on. He’s weak but not dizzy. He’ll manage.
Viala ties on her own dressing gown as he hobbles into the corridor and throws open Elowyn’s door, his air magic at the ready.
Then the screaming stops, and whimpered breathing replaces it.
Healer Cadowyn is here.
The healer hovers over Elowyn, and Rominy looks faint.
“What in the Wildthorne Woods are you doing to my patient?” Tharios asks as he braces himself against the wall. Viala hurries to support him, and he leans against her.
“I don’t know, but I never would have agreed to that,” Rominy says in broken Elvish.
“I’m fine,” Elowyn pushes out through gritted teeth. “Just give me a minute.”
“It’s standard healing protocol to get her on her feet as soon as safely possible,” Healer Cadowyn says as he straightens.
“On whose orders?” Tharios asks.
“Your grandmother’s, my prince.”
“Elowyn is my patient. You should have at least consulted me first.”
“Last I saw you, you were incoherent, my prince.”
“I’m fine, Tharios.” Elowyn wipes the tears from her face. “I already feel better than I have in days.”
“I’m not. Stars above,” Rominy mutters in Nunian. “Please tell me we aren’t doing that again.”
Tharios says, “No,” as Elowyn says, “Yes,” and Healer Cadowyn turns back to Elowyn to examine her with his magic.
Tharios curses under his breath. That’s his job.
“Tharios,” Viala says softly. “You trust Healer Cadowyn. You’re in no shape to care for Elowyn properly right now.”
“But—”
“I do apologize, my prince,” Healer Cadowyn says.
“Had I known you were in full possession of your faculties again, I would have consulted you. But your grandmother is concerned about your sister’s ability to protect herself, given the current circumstances.
I learned long ago that if Queen Miravel is concerned about something, it’s prudent to listen.
And Princess Elowyn consented to the treatment. ”
Tharios takes a deep breath and sighs. “Grandmera’s right. But I want to be here for every treatment. And if Elowyn reacts like that again, we’re done for today.”
“I concur. The damage to your body was worse than I realized, my princess. We’re going to take it slower next time.”
Elowyn groans. “I’m fine.”
“Let’s keep it that way,” Tharios says.
“I’m still not fine,” Rominy whispers.
“Come here, my love.” Elowyn reaches for him. “Deep breaths, all right?”
Rominy looks like a lost puppy as Elowyn draws him to her chest, and Tharios holds back a smile.
He’s a little overcome himself. Whistling wind, hearing Elowyn scream like that will haunt his nightmares.
“Don’t overexert yourself, Princess Elowyn,” Healer Cadowyn says. “Only what you can handle, and I’ll be back later, all right?”
Elowyn nods against Rominy, and Healer Cadowyn turns to Tharios.
“I’m fine,” Tharios says.
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that? Shall we do this here or in your own chamber?”
Tharios groans.
“Just do it here,” Viala says. “Get this over with before he complains too loudly.”
“Whose side are you on?” Tharios asks.
“Yours, elf prince. Now stop talking and let the healer examine you.”
Viala helps him to a chair, and he sits. He probably could have made it without assistance, but there’s no need to prove himself wrong by face-planting on the rug.
“You appear much improved, my prince,” Healer Cadowyn says after examining Tharios.
“I feel much improved. Just weak.”
“I recommend food and more flesh contact. You should be perfectly fine by tomorrow morning, if not sooner.”
“I really did almost die, didn’t I?”
It’s never taken this long to replenish his life magic.
“Shall we discuss the first rule I taught you?” Healer Cadowyn asks. “The one neither you nor your mother seem able to follow?”
“Always hold something back. I know.”
“But will you listen?”
Tharios glances at Viala, and she stares daggers at him.
“I believe I learned my lesson.”
“Good. I’ll let you all be. Make wise choices. Both of you.”
He slips away, and Tharios rubs his eyes. “That was a terrifying way to wake up. I thought someone was torturing you, El.”
“I admit it was more painful than I anticipated.”
“But you’re not in pain now?”
She shakes her head. “I feel better. Stronger.”
He sighs and nods. “You still need to rest between treatments. Pushing your body to heal itself more quickly will take a lot out of you, and if you overdo it and grow too tired, there will be no more treatments today. No matter how much you beg me to reconsider. Do you understand?”
She doesn’t look happy about it, but she agrees. Thank the fates.
“On that note, you also need rest, elf prince,” Viala says. “And more flesh contact. Healer’s orders.”
A teasing gleam fills her eyes, and he can’t help the smile tugging at his lips. “I’m not about to turn that down.”
She offers him a hand, and he takes it as he stands.
Then he turns to Rominy. “Come find me if I’m not here when Healer Cadowyn returns.”
“I’m sort of hoping he forgets to come back,” Rominy mumbles, and Tharios chuckles.
Though he can’t blame Rominy. The thought of Viala screaming like that leaves him a little unsteady.
Tharios follows Viala back to their own chamber, where he slips his arms around her from behind. “What did you have in mind, faerie?”
“How about a nap?”
“That is not what you were hinting at a minute ago,” he whispers as he presses his lips to her neck and reaches for the tie on her dressing gown.
“I know. I’m sorry. I...I forgot. We can’t...I can’t—”
She’s not teasing now. She’s genuinely distressed.
“What’s wrong?”
She turns to face him, her blue eyes full of so much emotion that he almost drowns in them.
“My magic, Tharios.”
His life magic. He needs his life magic to bind her flame.
Gently, he brushes back her tangled hair. “Do you want to try with it free?”
The fear that fills her eyes is answer enough.
“I won’t let you lose control of your magic,” he whispers. “I still have my air and plant magic.”
She looks unconvinced as she gazes up at him. “I don’t know—”
“How about a bath? Low stakes. Wash the pine needles out of your hair?”
Her hand flies to her loose golden waves, and he grins.
“Tharios!”
“My wild faerie,” he whispers. “Just relax, all right? I’ll keep you safe.”
He finds her in a soft kiss, and she doesn’t pull away.
“Will you help me wash my hair?” she asks as his lips trail along her jaw. Her neck. She drops her head back, and he kisses her throat.
She’s still tense. But brave. Always so brave.
“And the rest of you,” he says.
That draws out her gorgeous smile, and when he leads her to the bath, she doesn’t resist at all.
The cord between them is only a couple of feet long, but there’s nowhere he wants to be but here with her.
“Just relax,” he says softly when she lies back against his chest as warm water surrounds them. “Go to that safe place in your mind.”
“My safe place is you, Tharios.” She speaks so quietly he barely makes out the Lothlesian words. “I imagine you binding my flame.”
The weight of her trust in him hits him all over again.
And nausea fills him at what almost happened yesterday.
He should have listened to her. Not put her through the terror of watching him almost die.
What was he thinking?
He can’t undo what happened, but he can be here for her in this moment.
“Just think of me now,” he whispers. “Imagine me reaching for your flame. Caressing it with my magic. Wrapping my magic around it and guarding it for you. Do you feel it?”
When she nods, he lets his hand trail gently along her skin, and she tenses, but then she relaxes again.
And he loves her. With his kisses. With his touch.
She’s not as free as she usually is when they’re together like this. But she’s trying. Oh, she’s trying.
Long before he’s ready to be done, she stiffens against him. “I’m losing the mental separation.” Her voice is full of fear once more as objects around the room vibrate.
He backs off and reaches for the soap she loves instead, massaging it into her hair as her skin against his makes him stronger.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
“This is me fighting for you,” he says. “I have a lot to make up for after yesterday.”
A soft laugh escapes her. “I love you, elf prince.”
“And I love you. You’re doing amazing.”
“Only because I have you to help me. And I didn’t last very long.” She sighs.
“I suppose we’ll have to practice. A lot.”
She laughs again, but she doesn’t argue.
After he rinses her hair, he wraps his arms around her and holds her close as his thoughts drift to Cerian and Arisanna.
Hopefully, Father and Mother found them alive and well.
If they don’t return by the time Elowyn finishes her treatments, Tharios has every intention of joining the search.