Chapter 70
We were on our way back to Theo's office to report the findings of our search.
An uncomfortable, heavy silence stretched between Rhaevan and me as we walked through the stone arches, but after my earlier verbal disasters, I didn't dare disturb it.
"Miss me?"
We both stopped dead in our tracks at the sound of the familiar, arrogant voice.
Standing near the corridor was Lucien. He was leaning heavily on the arm of a young, visibly stressed healer, looking alive-but only barely.
The dark bruise along his jaw remained, his skin was pale enough to qualify as partially deceased, and he moved like every single bone in his body was protesting the decision.
Before my brain could process protocol or reason, my feet moved on their own. I ran straight across the hallway and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
Lucien froze for a second, completely caught off guard, before his arms slowly wrapped around me, pulling me close. It wasn't until I felt a warm drop fall onto his shoulder that I realized I was crying.
I pulled back just enough to look at him, wiping my face with my sleeve. "You look awful," I blurted out immediately.
Lucien let out a weak, raspy laugh. "There she is."
The knot of terror that had been sitting in my chest for days loosened so suddenly I nearly sat down on the floor out of pure emotional exhaustion.
"You nearly died!" I scolded him, trying to sound stern and failing miserably. "Are you even supposed to be out of bed?!"
"I'm a Viremont," he said, offering a faint, bruised smirk. "This is practically a minor discomfort. Though... that was a very touching welcome."
His smile softened then-tired, battered, but genuine.
"You absolute idiot," I muttered quietly, looking at his bandage-wrapped chest. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
"I had a vague idea."
The young healer, who had respectfully stepped back to give us space, cleared his throat anxiously. "Your Highness... please. You must not exert yourself. Allow me to assist you back to the healing wards."
"Go on," I urged Lucien, giving his shoulder a gentle nudge.
"I'll catch up with you soon. Rhaevan and I were just on our way to report to Theo."
I gestured vaguely over my shoulder toward where Rhaevan had been standing. "We-"
I stopped.
I turned around fully, frowning at the empty corridor behind me. Rhaevan was gone.
Lucien looked mildly confused, following my gaze. "He left already."
"...Oh."
He must have slipped away while I was distracted. He was probably already up in Theo's office.
"I'll leave you to your recovery then," I told Lucien, forcing a bright smile.
"Don't take too long," Lucien called softly as the healer carefully led him down the hall. "I get bored when you're not around to yell at me."
I watched them go until they disappeared around the corner.
Then I made my way back toward the stairs leading to the Archmage's office. Strange. Rhaevan had disappeared without even acknowledging Lucien.