by Jen Wylie
She blinked in surprise.
Rhee-En scowled. "It is there, when you change your mind." He turned to her and bowed slightly before turning on his heel and leaving the room.
The silence went on and on as no one could think of what to say next.
Aware she had so little time left, Aro smiled, wanting to make it as easy on her boys as she could. "You’ll all be fine. I know you will."
Garen whined, Bo cursed, and Prince returned his face to his hands.
Kei bowed his head over hers. Don’t leave me.
I don’t know how to stay. His tears dripped onto her cheek. Lips trembling, she tried to stay calm. She didn’t want to cry in front of them. She didn’t want them to remember her that way. "I’m sorry I’m not immortal like you. I don’t have magic to heal myself."
Prince’s head shot up and he stared at her intently for a moment before his gaze moved to the Fey still hovering over her. "Kei, would you bind to her again?"
Aro’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes locked with Kei’s. The third binding. Mating.
Kei opened his mouth and then shut it again as he stared at her. Prince didn’t know they’d bound together twice already. Her head spun, she didn’t know what to think.
"I don’t know," he whispered, straightening. Shaking fingers ran through his hair. "It’s not like the others. It’s not–"
"Others? Others?" Prince’s voice rose as he sprang to his feet. His hand slammed down on the table. "What others?" His gaze turned on her, burning and angry.
"Two," Kei answered for her. "Friendship. Family. The third…" his voice trailed off weakly.
"Mating. I know," Prince snapped. Knuckles pressed against his temples. His nostrils flared as he fought to control his anger.
She didn’t understand why he was so angry. Because she hadn’t told him?
"Would it save her?"
Kei looked at her again. "I don’t know. It is…much stronger magic, but…I don’t know if she would survive it. The binding is…not like the others."
"No," she whispered hoarsely. "No."
"Arowyn, now is not–"
"I said no." She closed her eyes against the tortured looks on their faces. "I won’t do that to him."
Hands clasped hers. She didn’t have to open her eyes to know it was Kei. "I don’t want to lose you."
Shaking her head, she squeezed her eyes closed more tightly. "No," she repeated. "I am mortal. I will die anyway. I won’t…I won’t put you through losing a mate."
Arowyn, please.
No, Kei.
I love you, already. We would grow to love each other as mates. I know we could.
She sighed, and opened her eyes. "I know. That’s not why." The panic in his eyes nearly destroyed her. "I love you, but I can’t give you forever." She closed her eyes again. "Just let me go."
Kei’s fingers squeezed hers tightly. Lips pressed against her forehead. A sob choked him. Then he was gone, the door banging loudly behind him.
His soul wrenching roar echoed into the small room. She flinched. Pain streaked through her body. Not all it stemmed from her wounds. The anguish in Kei’s scream tore at her very soul.
Tears burned behind her eyelids. She refused to open them, to let Prince see. He’d use it against her. Her sorrow wouldn’t go away. Clenching her teeth, she tried to stop the trembling, to keep from breaking down into soul wracking sobs.
"Is the pain coming back?"
Prince’s voice sounded so hollow and quiet she had to clench her fists. "I just…need a moment. Can you go? Please."
"Arowyn. Look at me."
She didn’t want to, but the pleading in his voice gave her no choice. Her eyelids flickered open and she met his steady gaze.
His fingers brushed hair from her forehead. "Always so troublesome," he murmured.
"I heard Rhee-En," she said gently into the silence. "I want to take it. Let me say goodbye, and let me go."
Dark hair hid his face as he bowed his head. His shoulders slumped and he raised a shaking hand to his face.
"I’m sorry," she whispered. "You can’t heal me. I can’t heal myself."
Prince raised his head and stared at her for a long moment, his expression frighteningly blank. Without saying a word, he turned and left.
Closing her eyes again, she let a few tears trickle out. At least he hadn’t slammed the door.
How did she always manage to ruin everything? Death loomed over her, yet she’d managed to run off the two men who meant most to her.
"Don’t cry, pup," Bo said softly, taking her hand now.
Garen pressed his wet nose against her cheek and then sat.
"I just…" A sob stuck in her throat.
"We’re here." His hand squeezed hers. "We’re always here."
Somehow she managed to squeeze his hand back.
Chapter 31:
Life and Death
"Your leg is doing better?" She sniffled and took a slow breath. Pushing away thoughts of what she wouldn’t have and what she would lose, helped calm her tears. If she concentrated on her boys, she could get through this. They mattered the most.
"Yes, it is." He shifted awkwardly.
Her chest tightened and more tears threatened. The foul air pressed down around her and she wrinkled her nose. "Is there a window?"
Nodding slightly, he released her hand and moved toward the head of the bed. "Prince closed it. The light hurt your eyes with your fever. We had some rain in the night as well." He removed a short wood bar and then pulled open the shutters. Fresh, crisp air immediately flowed into the room, bringing in the cleansing scent of rain. Little extra light came in and she remembered Prince saying it had almost been a dawn when she woke up.
Bo turned, pulling a small wooden chair by the wall close to the bed. Sitting, he took her hand once more and gave it a quick squeeze.
She relaxed against her pillow, still amazed she had one, and a bed! The softness beneath her, the memories of home it invoked, brought her strange comfort and peace. "Have the Were been treating you well?"
"They have. It’s nice here. Quiet."
She smiled softly. "Tell me."
Bo spoke of the small settlement, describing the few buildings, the families living there. "The children follow me and Kei around when we’re out. They’ve not seen a human or Fey before. They’re quite…cute."
"The Elf doesn’t amuse them?"
"The Elf has lost his mind," Bo said flatly. "Everyone is thankful he has no magic right now." At her confused look the irritation on his face faded away and he sighed. "He wants you healed, but everything they’ve tried has failed. And they have tried everything, Aro. Everything."
Lips quivering, she looked away, trying to ignore the rising pain those words caused.
"Perhaps being a prince, he’s just not used to not getting his way. He’s quite a temper we’ve not seen before, I’ll say that much."
"He’ll be fine," she whispered, trying to convince herself. "I suppose they aren’t used to death. Not like we are."
"True." Bo regarded her silently for a moment. "Or he loves you more than you think," he said softly.
"I know he does." It was hard to speak. "Just not…" She didn’t finish. Being reminded Prince wasn’t in love with her hurt too much. She wished Bo would stop bringing it up.
Relief suddenly calmed her pain. At least Prince truly hadn’t fallen in love with her. Not like she loved him. She’d seen what losing someone you loved could do with Kei’s reaction, and he only loved her like a sister. The pain she still felt for her own family’s loss reminded her Kei would hurt for some time. At least Prince wouldn’t have to deal with her death to such an extent.
It struck her then how selfish and stupid she had been, how blind. She refused to bind with Kei because she was mortal, yet she’d expected Prince to love her. At least he didn’t. She wouldn’t hurt him.
"He’ll be fine," she said again.
Bo grimaced and Garen whined again. "He’s calling for us
now." She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "For some reason he’s trying to find Kei and he’s not answering. He wants us to help."
She tried to raise her hand to shoo them out and failed. "Go. I’ll rest."
He hesitated a moment and then winced.
Garen snorted, his ears flicking back in annoyance. He’s persistent.
Giving her hand a squeeze, Bo stood. "We won’t be long. Don’t…"
"I’ll stay awake," she promised, forcing a small smile. Watching him leave, her smile turned genuine. Bo reminded her so much of her brothers. Often quiet, always there when she needed them, there even when she didn’t know she did. Yet still he had his boisterous side, his quick jokes and loud laughter. Bo made her smile.
Garen looked back at her a moment before going out the door and Bo closed it behind him. She wished she’d gotten to know him better. He’d really bonded with Bo, and she felt so happy for that, especially since he’d lost his closest friend John. Garen had remained quiet and distant with her though. She wasn’t sure if it was because he thought her his alpha or for some other reason. They’d only had a few weeks together. Regret pulled at her heart again. Time was something she’d run out of.
The future was something she’d tried very hard not to think about during the last year. Getting Prince home had been all that mattered. Afterward…she hadn’t wanted to think about a time without him. She’d lost so many of her boys, her brothers, Kendric, Avery, John. Prince wasn’t dying, but she’d never see him again. To her, it was much the same thing.
She watched the increasing light play long the wall in front of her for a while. At least it didn’t hurt her head. Her body remained heavy and numb. Though she could move her head from side to side, she couldn’t lift it. Concentrating, she worked with her fingers and toes until they wiggled. She even managed to gain more control to turn her wrists and ankles. Stopping there, she didn’t try for more. The numbness kept the pain away. She had no idea how long the allorum would work and didn’t want her efforts to bring the fever and pain back more quickly.
The door creaked open and she smiled.
A woman walked in, closing the door behind her with a push of her foot. Turning, she then froze and stared, her eyes quickly darting around the room.
"Good morning," Aro said softly.
The woman paused, adjusting the jug and pile of cloth in her hands. "Good morning, Arowyn." Moving once more, she set everything on the table and then cast her a sidelong look. "This is the first time I’ve come and you’ve been alone."
Aro turned her head to regard the woman. Obviously a Were, the woman’s height and toned body still surprised her. Short brown hair framed a pretty face and deep brown eyes watched her carefully.
"Are you thirsty?" Aro nodded and the woman poured fresh water from the new jug. She paused a moment, regarding the clay bottle on the table. "They gave you allorum."
Aro nodded again, and then concentrated on not making a mess as the woman raised her head slightly and tipped the cup to her lips.
"Rhee-En wants to give me more," she said, once settled again.
The woman let out a deep, sad sigh. "It would be the most peaceful way."
"That’s what he said." Aro looked away. Talking of her upcoming death seemed too strange. "Prince doesn’t want to," she said into the growing silence.
"Prince? Ah, Prince Shael. Yes, he has been quite…adamant you will recover."
Aro smiled at the way the woman said his name. She’d heard it so few times. The Were pronounced it Shay-Elle, though prince had said it to her more softly, with less emphasis on the El.
The woman busied herself with changing the sheets. Given the muscles on the woman’s arms, she wasn’t surprised how easily she shifted her around to get to the bottom one.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why are the Were helping me?"
The woman raised her eyebrows. "Why wouldn’t we?"
"I’m human," Aro stated.
"Not a normal one though," she said with a smile. She shrugged. "We help for many reasons. The prince asked it of us. Nor would be turn down someone in need, even if you are mortal." She paused for a moment, adjusting the pillow. "Our Alpha is quite taken with you. A human girl who mind speaks like an Elf, runs with Fey and Were, and has gained the attention of a Dragos. I heard also, how you fought the Vor." She flashed a feral grin. "You have a fighter’s heart.""
Heat rose to her cheeks. She’d never really thought about how different she’d become.
The woman chuckled as she shook out a new sheet. "Despite your illness, you are a pretty little thing. It doesn’t surprise me the men jump over themselves to help you. It seems men are men, no matter what race they are."
"It’s not like that," Aro protested.
The woman tucked the sheet around her. "Isn’t it?"
Her mouth opened and closed as words escaped her. "They’re my family," she finally muttered.
"More water?"
"Yes, please." Happy the topic had dropped, she managed to drink another half a glass.
"I would offer broth, and change your bandage as well, but Prince Shael is out harassing everyone in full force again, so I imagine he has some new idea. I will wait for now."
"Thank you, for everything."
She nodded and gathered up the dirty sheets. Heading for the door, she paused before leaving. "I do hope they can save you."
As the door closed Aro whispered, "Me, too."
* * *
After the woman left, she heard muted voices outside the door. With a curse under her breath, she realized she’d never asked the woman’s name. Paul would swat her upside the head for such bad manners.
The voices stopped and the door opened. Relieved not to be alone again, another smile appeared on her face. For being so close to death, she certainly smiled a lot. The thought brought forth a weak laugh.
Prince raised his eyebrows. "You are in good spirits, considering."
His words sobered her immediately and she frowned at him in annoyance. "Be nice to the dying girl."
Slamming the door closed, he strode toward her, his eyes flashing in anger. "Do not say such things!"
"I’ll say what I want," she snapped. "You need to be more polite. Everyone is talking about you being an arrogant, demanding–"
"Enough, Arowyn," he said softly, raising his hand as the anger drained out of him. "I am sorry." Pulling the chair back to the side of the bed, he sat. "This is…difficult for me."
Her own anger died and she looked away from the despair on his face. "I know. I’m sorry, too." The following silence weighed heavily on her. "Prince, can you promise me something?"
"Of course," he answered quickly.
"Try not to forget me."
A long silence met her words as he struggled to stay composed, his eyes closing for a moment, fingers rising to his lips. Finally he straightened and his eyes met hers again. "You are rather unforgettable, my Arowyn." He leaned forward and smiled down at her softly. "But I am going to save you this time, and then we will be even."
"You have this annoying ability to say the perfect thing and then ruin it by still talking."
A smile twisted his lips. "Do I now?"
"Yes," she grumbled. "You do. Quite often, in fact." She changed the subject. "Did you find Kei?"
"Yes," he answered finally." He paused, as if about to say more, but changed his mind. "I have sent them all out, and some of the Were as well, to find the Fey you healed."
She stared at him dumbfounded. "Why?"
"Your comment earlier gave me an idea. I am hoping they will agree to give you their power again. Along with Kei’s, I hope it will be enough to heal you."
"But I don’t know how to heal. I never have before when I had power in me."
"I will teach you, while they search."
"Is it that easy to learn?"
"You have incentive, do you not?"
She scowled at him. "I’m human. I’m sure
you haven’t forgotten that," she said bitterly.
"No, I have not." He stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes tired and sad. "We are running out of options, however. You are special. You do things you should not be able to. I am hopeful this will work." He gently picked up her hand and held it in both of his. "Now we must begin. We do not have much time."
"Prince, I don’t–"
"Please." His eyes searched hers. "Please, Arowyn. Do this for me. I will beg you if I must."
Tears burned her eyes and she fought to keep her suddenly quivering lips still. Her prince did not beg. That he would say such a thing…
"I will try," she finally managed to whisper.
"Thank you," he said solemnly. "Now, enter your mind. I will join you there."
When she opened her eyes a relieved smile lit her face to find she stood on her own and, in her mind at least, seemed well and whole.
Her fortress remained tall and strong. Turning, she took in the still barren landscape and dark sky. She tilted her head up, her eyebrows rising in surprise. The rolling clouds had disappeared and though still dark, the sky wasn’t near as dismal as it used to be. She didn’t understand why they would change now when she was so close to death. Perhaps because she finally understood so many things.
Looking to the side she saw Prince staring at her, a faint smile of relief upon his face.
Everything seems to be fine. The walls are holding.
Yes, though if you came under attack I do not think they would hold for long.
True, she agreed with a grimace. But at least I won’t have to rebuild them. I worried being sick would destroy everything. Letting out a deep breath, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. So, what do I do? Teach me.
A rare grin appeared for a moment before he turned serious once more. The ability to heal is born within us. As we grow, we learn to use it instinctively.
She frowned. So you don’t know how to teach me?
Not from the experience of learning myself, no. Yet I am certain I can guide you. You simply must become aware of your body. He stepped forward and cupped the side of her head with his hand. You have learned to become aware of your mind, which is a rare thing amongst mortals. It is not much different from that.