by Jen Wylie
A smile played across her lips as he carefully pulled back her hair and started to braid it. She found it difficult not to make a comment, yet somehow managed. Could he hear her heart thumping away in her chest?
He finished all too soon and returned to kneel before her again. It didn’t take long to apply the purple paste. She watched his face as he did, resisting the urge to reach out and touch those lips so firmly pressed together in concentration.
His eyes met hers and his shaky smile appeared for a moment before he turned away. "We need to get cleaned up as well. If you want to…" He made a turnaround motion with a finger.
Carefully, she shifted herself back from the fire and turned to face the wall. Garen padded over and flopped down in front of her.
I will keep you company.
She smiled. Thank you. It would be some time before the men were cleaned up and their clothes dried by the fire. She wouldn’t be turning around for a while. Too much skin tended to make her blush like a stupid girl. So did Prince, for that matter.
She only hesitated for a moment before asking, What’s wrong with Prince?
Garen shifted slightly and then looked over her shoulder. It took him a while to reply. He feels responsible for your injury. Despite us all telling him it was merely an accident. He said, since the beginning he had promised himself to take care of you, yet has done a poor job of it.
That’s not true at all. She let out a soft sigh and resisted looking behind her. The sounds of the men stripping and cleaning up by the cave mouth were enough to deter her. He has strange ideas sometimes. I really don’t understand him.
Garen turned his gaze back to her. He couldn’t wake you. There was so much blood. Kei nearly went into a fury. We were all worried.
I’m sorry. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Is he angry with me?
You truly do not understand, Aro. It is rare for Elves to show such emotion. Particularly an Elven Prince.
Despite the throbbing pain, she could only shake her head slightly. The motion made her wince. She didn’t understand. With Prince, it seemed like she never did. One moment it seemed she meant more to him than just a friend, the next she was just an irritation. Constantly, he both lifted her heart and dashed it to pieces.
He cared about her, she knew that. But was it only the caring for a child? Had he yet noticed she wasn’t a little girl? If only he would let her know how he truly felt about her. She would have to wait and hope. She didn’t have the strength or confidence to ask him. Unfortunately she knew time wasn’t on her side.
Chapter 11:
Uninvited Guests
The boys returned to the fire and she heard someone moving about cooking. She hoped they’d put some clothes on. Since she wasn’t invited to turn around again, she doubted it. Men were impossible.
She talked about nothing with Garen for a while until a plate of food suddenly appeared over her shoulder.
"Thanks," she managed. Not looking. Not looking. "You boys almost dried off yet?"
"Soon, pup," Bo answered with a chuckle.
She picked at her food. Though the nausea had finally settled, she feared it would return. She hated being sick to her stomach and preferred to avoid it. Eating slowly helped to pass the time as well. Once she did finally finish, long after everyone else, she set her plate to the side.
"The leathers are mostly dry," Kei called.
Waiting patiently, she listened to the sounds of leather pants being slipped on. Garen chuckled in her mind, watching her flaming cheeks. "You’re not helping," she muttered.
His ears flicked back and forth. It is safe now.
"Finally! You all decent?" She wasn’t sure she wanted to trust the Were. Hearing assent from them all, she turned and wiggled closer to the fire.
Prince sat next to her spot, watching her carefully.
She stared back at him, watching the firelight flicker across his face. "What is it?" She ran a hand over her chin. "Do I have food on my face?"
He smiled faintly and looked away. "No."
Pain lanced through her head and she closed her eyes. Her stomach rolled and she clenched her teeth, taking shallow, even breaths. She shouldn’t have eaten so much.
Kei settled down next to her on the other side. "Head still hurt?"
"Yes," she grumbled. "I think I ate too much, too."
"You should get some sleep."
"No. She shouldn’t sleep," Prince snapped.
They all looked over at him, surprised at the vehemence in his voice.
"Why shouldn’t I sleep?"
"You hit your head very hard."
"She’s in pain. Rest will help," Kei said.
"What do you know? No. She might not wake up again if she does."
Her eyes widened. "I might not wake up?"
"You’re scaring her!"
"I’m trying to protect her! What will you do if she goes to sleep and won’t wake? Bind her again?"
Bind her?
The fighting stopped abruptly at Garen’s question.
Prince sighed and shook his head. "Kei and Aro are bound together with one of the Fey bindings."
Garen looked from Prince to Kei and back again. She is human. It’s not done. Why would you allow this?
"She was sick. It was the only way to save her. We’d already lost Avery and…" Prince pressed his lips together angrily. "Kei offered. It was the only way to save her."
Aro stared worriedly at Prince. Did he realize he was repeating himself? Was he trying to convince Garen or himself?
Garen turned his gaze to her and Kei. That explains much. Do you know what you’ve done?
"Yes, and I’d do it again," Kei answered firmly.
I don’t think we should mention that was the second time, she said only to Kei.
His faint smile was slightly pained. No. I told you no one would understand. His fingers found hers and curled around them.
I do. That’s enough.
Yes. It is.
"Can I sleep or not? I’m exhausted and my head is killing me."
"If we check on her often, that should do," Bo said into the silence. "She’ll have to sleep sometime."
Prince relented and she thankfully drifted off quickly into a deep sleep. It seemed like someone woke her constantly. They’d make her speak for a moment and then, apparently satisfied she still had her wits about her, would let her sleep again.
The next day the storm continued and she spent most of it sleeping, waking up fully only a few times to dress, eat and do the necessary.
The absence of sound woke her. Staring up at the ceiling of the cave, she listened carefully as her mind struggled to wake up. The storm had stopped raging. Yes, that was it. She could hear dripping, but the wind had calmed as well. The fire crackled. One of the horses shifted. Panic tickled up her spine for a moment until she felt the warmth of a body to either side of her. They hadn’t left her alone. From across the fire, Bo let out a loud snore.
Rolling carefully onto her stomach, she looked out the cave mouth. She rubbed at her eyes, trying to clear her blurry vision. It wasn’t dark out, but the sky remained grey. Perhaps the boys had decided to get rest while they could, or boredom had gotten the better of them.
The pain in her head hadn’t gone away. Gingerly she reached up and touched where she’d hit. Her fingers found a huge raised lump. No wonder her head hurt so much. Wine or ale certainly started to sound good. She’d rarely been allowed to drink much, but she knew it could dull pain good enough.
The clattering of rocks outside caught her attention and she turned toward the cave mouth again. A giant wolf bounded inside.
Garen?
Another followed, and then another. Either that or she was seeing double…triple. No, there was another.
"Wither me."
The Were had found them.
She hunched back into the furs as they lined up in front of her, hackles raised and teeth bared. Fear froze her in spot. All she could do was stare at the horrifying scen
e before her.
Garen bounded over her, landing lightly before her, facing the other Were. Kei and Prince scrambled out of the furs to either side of her, instantly alert and grabbing weapons.
She sat up, furs sliding off her shoulders, and immediately fell to the side. Catching herself on her forearm she grunted in surprise. Apparently her balance was still off.
Using her arms, she pulled herself around and saw her weapons by her feet. With a push, she got closer and reached, but her hands couldn’t find what her eyes saw. With a curse, she tried to pull herself forward.
"Aro!"
She turned her head to see Kei glaring at her.
"Stay back."
Shaking her head sent a lance of pain through her brain and she groaned, lowering her head to her arms. This wasn’t happening. They needed her!
If the Were spoke she didn’t hear them. If the boys spoke through their pack bond she didn’t hear that either. The thought choked the breath out of her and she forced her head up to look over at them all again. Searching her mind, she couldn’t find the link. What was going on? A whimper slipped through her lips. Why was it gone? She needed it! How would she talk to Garen?
Everything blurred and she blinked her eyes frantically. They had started fighting, the cave filling with echoing shouts and growls. The horses panicked. Their terrified whinnies and the clacks of their prancing hooves on the stone added to the clamor.
The chaos of sound sent painful vibrations through her head. Squeezing her eyes closed, she gritted her teeth. Sweat beaded on her forehead and trickled down her back. Someone shouted in pain.
She needed to get up. She needed to help them.
"Rot it all," she muttered and tried to push herself up again. Her arms refused to work and she flopped back down onto her stomach.
The noise of snarls, snapping teeth and claws on stone and metal overwhelmed her senses. She made it up onto her forearms and looked up again…right into a snarling face. The Were stood so close she could feel each breath on her skin.
Eyes widening in terror, she could only stare at the massive teeth dripping spittle onto the stone.
As suddenly as it appeared, it was gone. With a blink of surprise she watched it fly to the side and crash into a wall, Kei, in full fury, attached to its side.
Prince dropped down beside her. "Get up, Aro." He yanked the fur still over her legs off in one swift motion and then held out his hand.
She reached for it, or tried to. Her arms and eyes still didn’t seem to agree. Embarrassment heated her cheeks and she glanced up at Prince. "I…I…can’t seem to…"
He stared at her, his eyes widening in shock. With a slight shake of his head, his brows drew down in worry as he tried to catch her flailing hand. He opened his mouth to speak, but before words left his lips one of the Were let out an ear piercing howl.
Aro gasped as the sound blasted through her head. Her body jerked and–
She opened her eyes, surprised to find herself in Prince’s arms, her body across his lap. The taste of blood filled her mouth. Blinking she turned her head. Everyone still fought.
"Waz hap?" What happened? But those words hadn’t come out of her mouth. Her eyes grew wide in horror and fear.
"You had a seizure." Prince choked and held her tightly, rocking her gently back and forth. "I am sorry. I am so sorry. Please forgive me. Forgive me."
She didn’t understand. "Rince?" Her lips trembled and she blinked as he became blurry and then back into focus.
"I am sorry." He continued his quiet litany, bowing his head over her.
She remembered then, he thought her injury was his fault. Somehow she managed to raise her hand. Grasping wildly, it found one of his. He looked down at it as she squeezed it tightly and drew it up to her chest. She tried to tell him it wasn’t his fault but the sounds that came out made no sense.
A tear slipped down his cheek as he shook his head. His whole body trembled. "Arowyn, Arowyn…"
Pain of a different kind overcame her. Her sight blurred again, this time from tears. She tried to raise her hand to wipe his tears away. She’d broken her prince.
A blast of wind wiped through the cave. The ground rumbled beneath them. Dirt and small rocks fell from the ceiling. Prince quickly bent over her, shielding her from them.
Turning her head, she watched a monstrous head enter the cave and let out a bellowing roar. The fighting stopped, the force of the sound sending everyone scattering to the cave sides.
Prince gripped her tighter as she stared. She knew that head, that roar. "’aym! N-n-n. D-d-d…" It was impossible.
"Damon," Prince whispered.
She blinked, amazed he’d understood her. Yet he wasn’t looking at her, he watched the dragon. Perhaps he knew what Damon looked like in dragon form, too.
The head retreated. Damon walked into the cave a moment later, looking extremely displeased. The Were backed away, coming together near the cave entrance, but not leaving.
She watched them closely. Whatever was being said, she couldn’t hear it. Until it was gone, she hadn’t realized how much she would miss the mind speech.
The Were apparently dealt with, he regarded the rest of them. Again, if more was said she couldn’t hear it. When his eyes found her she felt nothing. His brows drew together. A laugh almost twisted her lips. Had she entirely lost her mind? Was there nothing there for him to find and invade? He took a step toward her and the others sprang into action.
They didn’t attack…they ran to her side, taking up positions around her and Prince.
She held out her free arm, grimacing as it flopped in the air. "K-k…" Though she could barely make the first sound of his name, her eyes found him and pulled him to her. Kei took her hand and crouched by her head, his arm reaching around her shoulder.
"I’m here," he whispered.
For some reason his voice brought a strange calm and her rising panic began to subside.
Damon knelt before them.
"Will she get better? Will she…" Prince’s voice trailed off.
Her eyes locked on Damon’s face as he regarded her thoughtfully. His hand came up and she flinched as it rested on the top of her head. No pain came. She felt…nothing. If he tried to speak to her, she couldn’t hear him.
"No," he said finally. "There has been damage to the brain. There is bleeding and swelling inside."
Prince’s cry startled her, almost as much as the sudden clutching of his arms around her. "Can you do anything," he choked out. "Please, I am responsible. I cannot…I will pay–"
Damon chuckled. "It is not your life that needs saving." He stared at Prince for a long moment. "I see." He shook his head. "Perhaps I was wrong and she isn’t the one. I read so few pages of the book." He turned to Kei.
"No," the Fey said. "I don’t remember."
"Pity."
"Dragos, I beg of you," Prince began again.
"The Elven prince begs, and for a human. How very far you have fallen." He looked down at her again.
Blinking up at him, she tried to get her scattered thoughts to work. She’d barely comprehended what he’d said past the inference she was dying. The words sent an icy chill through her body. Terror crawled through her, speeding her heart. Sweat broke out on her forehead and all she could hear was her increasingly frantic breathing.
Kei startled her, leaning forward over her to press a kiss to her forehead. She tilted her head back, trying to see him.
"I’m with you."
Damon’s fingers brushed her cheek, drawing her attention back to him. "Do you wish to live, young Arowyn?"
Words refused to pass her lips. Somehow she managed to nod. She didn’t know what the cost would be, certainly there would be one. Right then, she didn’t care. Rot it all, she wanted to live!
"Very well." He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. "Dragos rarely heal others. I do know the magic, but it is difficult. Your story has barely begun. I find I would actually attempt it, just to see what you might become and how
it will unfold."
He sat back and gestured to the pile of furs next to him. "Lay her down. This will take some time and I’ll need no distractions."
Prince carefully set her amongst the furs, arranging her arms so her hands rested on her chest, tucking stray locks of hair behind her ears. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead for a moment against hers.
"Get well, Arowyn."
Bo appeared next, smoothing the hair back on the top of her head and squeezing one of her hands. "You can do this, pup."
Garen pressed his wet nose against her temple. If he spoke, she didn’t hear him.
Kei pushed the wolf aside and took her face in his hands. His eyes glowed with that strange orange inner light. Tears streaked down his cheeks. Despite the awkward position he leaned down and held her close for a moment. "Remember our promises," he whispered in her. "I’m always with you." He choked on a sob and squeezed her tightly again. "I love you," he whispered fiercely before quickly pulling away.
She wished she could speak. More than anything, she wanted to tell him she loved him, too. She wanted to tell all of them she did. Tears filled her eyes and slid down her face.
Damon knelt beside her and turned her head to look at him. "I will do what I can," he said. "However I can’t guarantee it will work. I have never tried to heal a human before. Understand?"
She managed a faint nod and pressed her quivering lips together.
He glanced up and gestured the others away. "Stand back and be silent." His eyes found hers again. "Don’t fight me this time, little one. Fall into my eyes…"
Blinking once more to clear the tears away, she tried to do as he asked. Damon’s eyes were strange enough she found it not difficult to stare. They had vertical slits and no whites at all. The iridescent color was a wash of blue-green with streaks of gold and red. The colors began to swirl, making her dizzy as she tried to watch them. A comforting thrum emanated from his chest, soothing her as his power wrapped around her. Her thoughts drifted into nothing.
Chapter 12:
The Price of Life