Alison clasped her hands in her lap tightly in an effort to calm her shaking. Vin was nearby too, trying to keep the men at bay and give Qwinn some air.
The tears she had been fighting sprang to her eyes again. He had to live. The world would not be right if he died. And it would be her fault.
"Please," she begged quietly as she knelt by his head. "Please live." She couldn't keep the tremors out of her voice. Everything that she had been through had left her feeling so raw. After a few minutes, the Healer took his hands from the King's chest and spoke to the crowd in a heavy Vidarian accent. Alison looked around wildly for someone to translate. Larius knelt by her. "He says that the King's will is strong. He will live, but has lost a lot of blood. He is unconscious now. We must return him to the city where he can create a tonic for him to drink."
The soldiers cheered and many began buzzing with activity. The stretcher was brought and many hands assisted in lifting the King onto it.
Alison stared, almost afraid that if she took her eyes from his mostly healed and freshly scared chest, he would die. He still looked so ashen.
The men lifted him and began to make the long trek back to the city. Others stayed to gather the wounded and carry some of the dead.
Alison fought to keep up with Qwinn and his bearers. They took long steps and it wasn't long before Alison, in her weakened state, fell behind. Vin and Larius stayed close to her side, as did the woman, who jumped at every noise.
Eventually, she fell to a steady walk. She was exhausted and her foot was still very tender from the wound she got when she had first run away.
Alison's own injuries were the least of her worries. Now that she knew Qwinn would live, the doubts of their relationship at this point, rushed back to her. He was mortally wounded because of her. His men died because of her. There was no way that he could love her after this. She wouldn't be surprised if he banished her from Vidar or had her executed, changing his mind about their union.
She no longer had the strength to fight her tears. As she walked, they streamed silently down her cheeks. Her doubts screamed in her ear. He had no reason to care for her. She had run from him, caused a war and almost cost him his life. On top of all that, he was still her captor. She shouldn't want to stay with him in the first place.
The fact that he had crossed the forest and fought for her was not moot, but she figured he did it out of duty and as soon as he woke up, he would gravely regret his choice.
Despair swallowed her whole. She couldn't do anything right. She had hurt the one person who might have loved her.
No one spoke to her, however, Vin and Larius remained her guards. She didn't need guards, she would never run away again.
She stumbled twice in exhaustion and Vin insisted their small group rest. They sat by the river and Alison pulled her knees to her chest, trying to shrink herself. Everyone must hate her, even Vin and Larius. They were obviously acting out of duty.
Vin knelt before her and with him he brought a floating sphere of water the size of her hand. It was merely floating in the air.
"Drink something," he said gently, the sphere of water drifting closer.
Alison eyed the sphere. It was an amazing trick, but she didn't want to remind anyone that she was even there. Shaking her head, she then tucked it into her knees.
"You have to drink something," he insisted.
Alison looked at him from where her face was tucked. When she realized that he would not relent, she sat up.
"You can even hold it," he told her with an encouraging smile.
She gently touched the water sphere with her fingertips, afraid she would pop it and was surprised to see that it moved with her. It felt cool like water, but mostly solid beneath her fingers. She cautiously brought it to her lips and sucked. Cold water from the river flowed into her mouth. She watched the sphere shrink as she sucked in and drank.
When she was done, she was glad for the drink and offered Vin a weak smile of thanks. He hesitated for a moment, almost as if he wanted to speak to her, then decided against it and left her alone.
Alison eyed her scared and blistered arms with a frown. As she had grown older, everyone had called her pretty. Before her uncle tried to marry her off, men insisted she was beautiful. Now, she knew she would never be beautiful again.
Too soon for her liking, her group was up and moving again. She would have preferred to stay in the forest and never have to face anyone ever again.
Though their pace was slow, others around them were matching pace or slower. It was obvious that the soldiers were weary from battle. Many were wounded and had to rely on the assistance of others as others carried the dead.
By some miracle, the animals of the forest kept at bay. However, Alison couldn't help but to continue to eye the trees fearfully. Nothing in the world would help her forget the ordeal she had been through. Every rustling of the bushes sent her back to the terrible fight with the wild hog, or the appearance of the beastly Torin.
She shivered and continued walking, careful to keep her eyes on the ground so she wouldn't step on anything sharp.
They traveled for hours. The sun rose and Alison stifled a yawn. Her legs had long since gone numb and she wasn't sure what was keeping her going. Her stomach grumbled loudly, which after all she'd been through, she was surprised she could ever be hungry again.
It was another hour or two before they spotted the large stone wall. Alison almost cried with joy as she collapsed in utter exhaustion mere yards from it. Vin knelt by her, looking almost as tired as she was. "We are almost there," he said. "Over that wall waits Ou'tani that will take us to the palace. You may rest when we reach the palace."
Alison wanted to shove him away, but she had no strength to do so. "I can't climb over that wall," she said in a small voice.
Vin looked at the wall and back. "I will pull you up."
She eyed him skeptically; Vin was slim, almost lanky, but she knew not to judge a Vidarian's strength by his appearance, because Qwinn had easily picked her up and he appeared slim too.
"You can't," she offered lamely. "The wall is too big."
He studied the wall for a moment, and then pushed himself to his feet. "Then I will have to climb up with you on my back."
Alison's eyes went wide. "We'll fall!"
Even though he was exhausted, he managed a smile. "I am stronger than I look."
As if to prove his words, he stood and offered his hand. Larius followed suit, offering to carry the other woman, who had yet to speak a word.
Alison hesitated, knowing that he didn't have the strength. In fact, there were a few men who sat with their backs pressed against the wall, trying to rest and gather enough strength to climb over themselves, and Vin planned on carrying her over with him.
He laughed softly. "Let me show you."
Finally, she put her hand in his and allowed him to help her up. To her surprise, he did so with ease.
She felt her nerves beginning to quiver as he guided her to the wall. Before they reached a rope that was slung over the wall, he turned and gave her a reassuring smile. She could see what Adalia saw in him; he was a good man.
He squatted and taped his shoulder. "Get on."
She laughed nervously, which came out sounding like a cough from her suddenly dry throat and stepped away. He stood and gently, but firmly, took her hand and tugged her into position. "Just hold on tight," he said, grabbing the thick rope. Ropes hung everywhere, allowing the soldiers to get over the protective wall that stood as tall as two men.
Visions from the last time she climbed onto someone's back returned to her as she nervously wrapped her arms around his neck. On the count of three, she jumped up and wrapped her numb legs around his slim waist. Doubts began to flood her instantly that he was too skinny to carry them both.
Before she could untangle herself, he wrapped his tail around her, securing her. Then he began the climb.
She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her face into his back, also trying to
ignore the blood stained clothes. His climbed, his muscles bulging as he used the wall for added leverage. They moved inch by inch up the wall. Alison didn't dare look down for fear that she would lose her grip.
Though the distance didn't seem so great, she knew that it wouldn't take much to fall and break her leg.
She held her breath. He grunted only once as they reached the top. "I need you to sit on the wall so I can get over," he said, obviously concentrating all his strength to holding them up.
To her dismay, Alison had to open her eyes for this. Vin talked her through gripping the wall and swinging her leg over. Fatigue ravaged her muscles, making her seriously doubt herself. She managed an awkward slouch onto the wall and Vin hoisted himself up. The wall was thick enough to sit on comfortably and they rested for a moment. She tried to keep her mind from registering the height. Instead, she looked over the wall toward the Vidarian city. She was glad to find that Vin wasn't lying when he said there would be Ou'tani waiting.
Men waited with a herd of them; a few whispered about their appearance. Alison scanned them, sad to realize that Naliya wasn't among them.
"Ready?" he clapped, again flashing a confident and encouraging smile as he grabbed the rope and looped it down their side. He grabbed the rope and swung into position, pausing. "Alright, swing onto my back."
Her eyes widened at his words.
"You can do it," he assured her. Biting her lip, she scooted closer to him, grabbing his shoulder and readying herself. On the count of three, she fearfully pushed off the wall and scrambled to get a good hold. Her motions caused them to swing frantically and Vin to momentarily lose his grip.
Alison screamed as Vin grit his teeth and halted their descent with the rope, burning his hands in the process. Alison clung to him as tightly as if she were his second skin.
When they had stopped swinging and he had a proper leverage, he slowly lowered them down.
When their feet touched ground, she cried out in relief and hugged him tightly. "Thank you. Thank you!"
A servant rushed forward to offer them an Ou'tani. Vin threw the rope back over for Larius and the other woman, grimacing at the pain in his hands.
They did not wait for the other two to come over. Instead, Vin began asking many questions in Vidarian to the servant who couldn't tell him much about the King's situation.
Alison was very anxious to see Qwinn, so without pause, they climbed on the Ou'tani and Vin led them quickly to the palace.
Though Alison was on the verge of fainting with exhaustion, she held tight, trying her hardest to stay awake.
After this, she was sure she could sleep for days, if not weeks. First, however, she needed to reassure herself that Qwinn was truly all right.
They reached the palace and Vin helped her off the Ou'tani. Holding her hand reassuringly, they rushed through the front doors. They had only been in the palace for a few minutes when Adalia came running to meet them. When Vin saw her, he dropped Alison's hand and with his energy renewed, ran to meet her.
She sobbed his name and flew into his arms, burying her head into his sweat and blood stained shoulder, holding him tightly. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" she pushed back just enough to see his face. "Understand?"
He nodded, smiling cheekily. "I love you," he whispered before pulling her into a deep kiss. She melted against him.
It was a touching moment, but Alison was anxious to see Qwinn. She made her way to walk around them, but Adalia broke their long kiss to stop her. Vin stepped back enough to allow Adalia to speak, but never moved far.
Adalia surrounded Alison with her arms. "I'm so glad you're alive! I prayed to Ahanu all day and haven't slept since they found out you…" she trailed off, holding her at arm's length. "None of that matters now. You are alive!" As Adalia studied her, her smile faded. Her eyes flitted over her friend and gasped at the sight of her arms. "We need to get you to a healer, now."
Alison pulled away, "I want to see Qw−"
"You can see him when you are healed and fed," Adalia ordered.
"No, I need to see him now!" Alison insisted, hysteria rising in her voice.
"Alison, he's asleep," Adalia informed her calmly. "You may see him after we've taken care of you, I promise," she said, a calm wave washing over Alison.
Alison knew that Adalia was working her powers on her but she was so tired to battle the calm. Adalia circled an arm around her waist and led Alison to her room, seeing her to bed and tucking her in, despite her dirty state.
Naliya entered, followed by the strange woman that had read her memories weeks before, when Alison was on trial for murder; Morinell was her name. She gently rubbed her hand over Alison's arm. A tingling raced through her as her cells raced and formed new skin. It took a while for the old woman to heal all of Alison's wounds as best she could. A few burn marks wouldn't leave entirely, leaving faded scars behind. The gash in her head and foot sealed themselves and itched with the healing feeling.
Her sore muscles still ached, but not nearly as bad as they had moments before. When the woman was finished, she encouraged Alison to drink a tonic then lay back down.
Alison was still anxious to see Qwinn, but her exhaustion was fighting a good battle.
"Sleep," the woman purred as a stream of blue light rushed from her arms and Alison could no longer fight it, she slept.
QWINN WATCHED HER CHEST RISE and fall and his despair deepened. She had run from him, from the thought of marrying him. He lowered his eyes for the tenth time to her arms. The healer must have done well to only leave a few scars, but that also meant her injuries were extensive.
His brow furrowed as he stopped himself from reaching out and touching her and instead, settled for pacing. He was no good for her if this arrangement caused her to run right into harm's way. He loved her too much to see that happen, not while he could still protect her in some small way.
He had to let her go.
A hard lump formed in his throat at just the thought; however, there was no other way. If he knew one thing about her, it was that she was stubborn and she would continue to run from him. Yet, if he allowed her to return to the surface, she would no longer be in danger. The least he could do was protect her in the only way he knew how.
She stirred, causing him to hold his breath. Though he had been watching her sleep for a while, he had mostly been trying to sort through his troubled thoughts. When he woke up without memory as to how the battle had ended, he was in a near panic. Adalia had kept watch by his bedside and assured him that everything was fine.
She had explained what she had heard from Vin and Larius. She told him how Vin had carried Alison over the wall; for that, Qwinn was very grateful to him. He still kicked himself for having passed out the way he had after the battle.
Alison's eyes fluttered open and he remained still, realizing he hadn't through what to do when she woke. She froze as soon as she saw him. "Qwinn," she squeaked.
He slid back into the chair by her bed, taking a less threatening position by moving it a few feet away. "How do you feel?"
She watched him quietly, trying to read him. To his frustration, she was equally disciplined in her facial expression. "I've been better," she said quietly, pushing herself to a seated position.
Qwinn swallowed hard, wanting to tell her so many things but not knowing where to start. "I'm glad you are well."
She looked uncertain for a moment. "How…how are you?"
He looked down at the jagged scar slashed across his chest. "I've…got some scars."
She pulled her knees to her chest and stared at the threads of the blanket. She remained like that for a moment before nearly whispering, "So…what now?"
She had asked him so quietly that he wasn't sure she had said anything. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "I am letting you go…," he said, sure to keep his breaking heart out of his voice. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to pull her to him and kiss her, never letting her go.
Her brilliant green eyes met
his in surprise for a second before returning to the blanket. "What do you mean?"
He had to pull his eyes away; for fear that he would back out of his choice. "I am freeing you from the arranged marriage. As soon as you are ready, you may return to the surface…I will no longer bother you, as well as any of my people…You are free," with that, he stood, balling his fist at his side to keep himself in check. "I apologize for all the pain I caused you…I hope you can believe that. I also have something for you," he rushed, trying to hurry so he could leave. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep his composure for much longer.
He walked to the door and picked up a stuffed travel bag. "I was going to give you this after…the wedding. However, now that you're leaving, you might as well have it."
Alison's eyes grew wide at the sight of her travel bag that she had thought was lost on the surface. "Where did you get that?" she asked, standing from the bed and gently taking the bag from him.
"My men found it in the woods after you had been captured."
Alison held the bag as if it were a dream. "Thank you," she whispered, and then her brows rose. "The festival!"
Qwinn held up his hand, refusing to look at her for fear she would see the pain this was causing him. "My men will take you to the surface as soon as you are ready." He put his hand on the door, feeling as if someone had stabbed him in the gut. "Goodbye Alison."
ALISON WATCHED HIM LEAVE and her heart sank. She had gotten what she wanted since she first arrived, freedom. However, joy didn't accompany the knowledge. In fact, she felt empty. Her heart was glad that he was alive, but he didn't want her anymore, not even for an arranged marriage.
Instead of sending her to the dungeon, he was banishing her because he did not love her. Try as she might to fight them, her tears came. Everything was so wonderful, yet so horrible at the same time. How was this possible?
She would never see him again; he had made that clear. She gripped her travel back with her father's papers in it to her chest and buried her face in it. She had to leave.
A knock came at the door and Larius stepped in, followed by Naliya. "The King has ordered me to escort you to the gates of the city. Are you ready?"
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