Everyone went quiet as he took a small sip of the concoction. It was actually sour, like drinking pure lemon juice, but he managed to drink it all. It took a minute for him to unfold his puckered face. Already the pain began lessening throughout his body, but the wounds were still there. His head felt clearer and his mind was running normally once again. Then there was a dull warmth in his chest and it was soothing. Breathing became less labored and easier.
The very moment Allahandra stepped back Lily sat by his side and touched his cheek with the back of her index finger. “I’m so glad you made it.” Her tone was calm, but lips remained quivering. “Do you remember what happened?” He blinked three times and her brow drew together. “Does that mean you’re not sure?” It was close enough to his thoughts so he blinked once. “Alright should I start from when you somehow you figured out that Allahandra was the key to the whole plot? … ok, then I’ll start there…”
“Actually we all have questions, but we’ll hold onto them until you can speak.” Allahandra said and smiled at her rescuer. “Forgive my interruption, but I have to tell my people what really happened as soon as you’re able to fill in some important details.” Alex blinked once.
Before Lily started her story everyone sat down in a chair, close to the large bed; which he just now noticed. They had already heard it recounted, but they wanted to hear the story again. Lily arched her back and cleared her throat.
“After you tossed me on Shade’s back, barked at him several times and took off; he was only able to barely keep up with you. When we made it to the castle just about every stationed guard of the palace was killed. Apparently thirty nine soldiers lost their lives by the time we arrived up on this floor. When I saw that it was Maiot and Gyro being the culprits, you and Shade were already sprinting to her rescue. You and I fought Maiot while Shade charged Gyro; who now had captured Allahandra and isolated himself within his item. I told you to shift opponents so I could take care of Maiot. Before I knew it you vanished and Gyro was being pursued by Shade.
“I figured out my opponent’s ability rather easily. His claws could thicken the air almost into a solid defense, but it will only last’s a few seconds. I used my crescent sword as a distraction while my other sword fluttered apart. While he was distracted, my petals snuck past his defense and sliced him into a million pieces.” She smiled smugly and then her smile vanished.
“Just as my sword was put back together Shade reentered the room, but I’ve never seen the horrified expression he was showing me. His eyes were streaked with tears and he was looking more frightened than ever before. All of the hackles on the back of his neck were standing straight. He didn’t seem to see me as he charged passed my side. He knocked me out of the way once he spotted Allahandra’s item case. He quickly put the whole case in his mouth. It was then that I knew something terrible had happened. I holstered my swords and grabbed onto Shade’s shoulders, just moments before he took off. I had to hold on with everything I had because he was on a mission and nothing would ever stop him.”
Suddenly Lily glanced at the four other spectators, her voiced steeled and became even. “When Shade made it to the castle’s main hall I had to let go. I found my way out and first spotted Allahandra kneeling over someone. She was also surrounded by a small contingent of new guards who supposedly heard a loud crashing sound. She was yelling at the person and I recognized it was you. I tried to help, but I’m no healer. Allahandra used up every drop of her solution from each and every one of her syringes. You were stabbed in over eleven spots and seven of the punctures were life threatening. Each one went completely through you. The queen couldn’t use her items for another three hours, but Niranene showed up and aided Allahandra in the closure of the smaller, life threatening wounds. They continued working on you for the next fifteen hours; nonstop. Every time the queen’s syringes refilled she injected you till the blood ceased escaping. We almost lost you several times during that frightening process. Many were called to try a transfusion, but your body wouldn’t accept anyone’s blood and you had a horrible reaction. They had another healer come by and he used his item to keep you from moving. That’s why you’re unable to move at the moment.
“Since then, four days have passed and Niranene had to make a solution which helps replenish all the lost blood…”
“Don’t forget to tell him you haven’t left his side for a single moment since…” Her eyes turned murderous as she glared at Marlin. He took the hint and raised his hands apologetically. “Never mind,”
Her eyes softened as she looked down at him again. Alex’s complexion was pallid from the blood-loss, but he remained among the living. He couldn’t fathom why she wouldn’t leave his side if everyone knew that he was stable. His thoughts were cut short when she resumed speaking. “As I was saying; you lost a lot of blood, but luckily you didn’t have any broken bones that could be felt; you know they couldn’t use their items to check. Several vital organs had been pierced, but Allahandra’s solution seems to have repaired the extensive damage” She smiled. “Since then you have been completely unconscious until a little while ago.
“Also during that time the battle ended once we tossed Maiot and Gyro’s mangled heads over to the enemy. They immediately began withdrawing, but General Rakkian sent a massive assault on the enemy when they turned their back and ran for their lives. He obliterated them of course, but a few hundred managed to escape and are trying to be tracked down and dealt with. We believe your cousin is among the escapees because the general personally checked for his remains and has as of yet, found nothing conclusive among the many bodies. Plus the only casualties we’ve sustained were two soldiers during the escaping assault and the thirty nine, in here, who were betrayed.
“Yesterday Allahandra gave a day of respite for people to grieve over the loss of the men who died. Yesterday was a day of mourning for the entire city.”
As she closed the story the room held a long moment of silence for those who perished; except for Shade because he asked if something was wrong. Alex managed to make his head slightly shake, only once. He quickly and correctly assumed that they were mourning for the fallen.
A few minutes later Allahandra stood. “Alex, we are all glad you didn’t die on us. When you are better, I have been told that the whole city has heard of what you did in my rescue and want to hold a celebration in your honor…” He blinked twice in a repeated effort. It took her a minute to understand what he was doing. She began laughing as did everyone else. “Do not fret, I’ll save you this time. You just go ahead and get better, ya.” She quickly glanced at everyone. “We should let him rest. We all need to as well. Rest well, Alex.”
Niranene checked him over one last time and then looked at Lily. They both nodded without questioning each other and he wondered what the unspoken conversation was about. Marlin tapped his friend’s encased foot and said “I’m glad you are alright. Get better my friend.” Alex blinked and he smiled. He tried his best, but it hurt to even tug at his cheeks for a smile. Marlin smiled for the both of them and held Niranene’s hand as they walked out of the room. Allahandra waved to Alex as she shut the door behind the new couple.
So more has happened in those four days than I originally thought…
Shade stood up and looked at Lily. Then another unspoken conversation passed and ended with another nod between them. Shade then moved and curled up close to the door. It seemed like he was guarding it.
Alex looked pleadingly for some answers when Lily’s eyes reconnected on his. She caught his confusion, understanding perfectly. “Don’t worry so much. Wrinkles don’t do you any justice.” She smiled and pointed to his furrowed brow. He didn’t realize he was frowning and it quickly vanished under her calming touch. “Like you heard Marlin a few minutes ago, I’ve stayed by your side this whole time. I usually sleep over at the desk.” She nodded and a pillow was resting on the table. “Niranene was just asking if I would still be staying with you again tonight. If anything should happen, she is close al
ways by. Allahandra has given another guest room to her so she could be as close as possible. And Shade and I had another agreement which he forced me to abide by.” She smiled as she glanced at the inconspicuous doorstop. It mustn’t have been a difficult demand. “He has allowed me to stay in this room on the condition that I stop holding this secret in any longer. Apparently he found my journal in my room, somehow, and read through it.” She sighed while smiling. Their eyes connected and she seemed happy for some reason and he was confused. “It isn’t really much of a secret though, but I agreed anyways.”
Her expression looked both steeled and vulnerable simultaneously. Lily casually laid a hand over his encased hand. “Listen, I’m not used to sharing my feelings let alone know how to act upon them. Things are just so difficult for me because I know everything about being a warrior, but acting like a woman is foreign.” She bit her bottom lip and it was easy to tell that she was trying to find the right words, but her nature is to be blunt and that is what came next.
“Let me go back a little, ok.” He blinked. “When we were being interrogated by Commander Yort out on the plains…” It was a hazy memory but it returned. “When I failed in his first question I was given another try. I was insecure to give him my honest answer aloud and he allowed me to whisper my answer in his ear. The real reason why I wanted to join Freelan was because I couldn’t bear to be away from you anymore. I explained how I would follow you anywhere because you were my new home, one I’ve never truly had before. If you wanted to join this force, then I would as well. I would follow any orders and take any punishment for my crimes just as long as we remained together. Yort excepted my answer and you remember what happened when he asked for my name.” She smiled at the memory and he now understood why Yort looked at him so suspiciously out on the plains.
“Then at the arena, when you saved me again after Rakkian attempted to murder me, you said something I’ll never forget. When you had the general pinned you said ‘Why did you just try to kill my Lily!?’And when you said my Lily I was happier than I’ve ever been before. I didn’t know if it was just a slip of the tongue, but everything inside me became jubilant. I’ve never had anyone be so positively possessive over me and…I actually liked it.
“As Allahandra offered these rooms I wanted to try something for you. You see, I’ve never worn a dress in my entire life and for some odd reason I had to show you and see what your reaction would be like. The very first word you called me was ‘beautiful’ and I knew you meant it. I kind of lied about the real reason for my late night visit.” She smiled shyly. “And when I asked to guard you, it was really because I almost went crazy knowing how much danger you would be in when you checked for the enemy’s information. I couldn’t stand being away from you. I realized that I’ve become possessive of you too, Alex.”
He wished that he could speak, but his injuries were still too severe. Her words were lifting his spirits. Lily was actually being possessive over him and her words rang in his head like the sweetest music. She was actually confessing her feelings and he couldn’t offer his in return. He struggled again to speak, but she quickly pinched his lips together and shook her head. “Please don’t try to talk. This is hard enough to say as it is and if you strain to tell me your feelings I don’t know what I’ll do.” Alex nodded barely because for the first time he saw a fragile and timid side of her. “Ok, now I’m almost through with what I have to get off my chest.” Lily removed her fingers from his lips.
Then her voice became weak and hollow. Lily’s eyes began brimming with tears, but they didn’t spill over. “But the most difficult part of my life was seeing you, after you somehow killed Gyro and saved the queen. I’ve never had a connection with someone in which they would mean so much to me. When I recognized your mangled body out there I already knew the odds weren’t good. When I saw all the blood that came from you I felt lost all over again, like I had returned to being a King’s Guard again. I made it to you and saw all of those holes that you bled from. I spoke to you, but you didn’t respond to anything or anyone. It was the most difficult time of my life, seeing you bleed to death so quickly. While Allahandra and Niranene worked on you I continued talking to you. And while they were doing their best, they said that any other person would have already died from the loss of blood, but I knew you are stronger than any man I’ve ever seen.” She finally smiled as the tears broke through their barricades. She wiped them away with the heel of her hand. “I know I’m a mess, but I had to let you know. If you had died out there…” She actually shuttered at the thought. “You would have never known this and it would have been the biggest regret of my life.” She let out a choked laugh. “I’m relieved that I could finally say that. Don’t die on me anytime soon and I’ll wait to hear your feelings. I want to know if both of our thoughts are compatible.”
She looked over at Shade and said sarcastically “I told him!” and all she received was a flick of his ears. She smiled anyway. “I guess you should get some sleep. I need some too. I must look a mess.” In truth she was actually still a goddess, but a compassionate one at the moment.
She stood up from the bed and Alex knew she was going to head over to the desk, but that wouldn’t do. Since Niranene’s drink, his throat was still sore, but it wasn’t as dry. “Lily.” She quickly turned to look at him with shocked eyes.
“What is it!? What’s wrong?” She quickly became concerned.
“Nothing. Stay. In. My. Bed. You. Need. Sleep.” It was painful speaking in short blocked words, taking a breath between each. His voice sounded slightly less alien and the talking wore him out.
“Really? I don’t mind sleeping over there.” He tightly squeezed his eyes closed twice. “If that is what you want…”
She finally smiled weakly as she walked around the bed and slowly laid where Shade usually does. Alex was unable to turn his head to get a better look at her, but from his peripheral vision he could tell she laid on her side and was looking at him.
Even in this horrible state everything seemed right. Lily did have feelings for him and he was happy to hear them coming from her lips. Knowing this relaxed him to the point where sleep carried him away. His dream couldn’t be written down coherently, but it was enjoyable.
“Awe, look at them. They both seem so happy.” Alex could hear in conjunction with his pleasant dream. The dream faded and was replaced with the sounds of reality. It took only a moment to realize Marlin’s voice.
“Oh… Oh my! It is that time already!” Lily’s exasperated voice leapt and someone else said “Aye.” but Alex couldn’t clearly hear who said it.
His eyes opened and at the foot of the bed stood Marlin, Niranene, Shade and someone else. It was an older gentleman and he was just entering the room.
“What time is it?” Alex asked before noticing that most of his pain had vanished. Much of the pain centered around the right shoulder, left ribcage, two spots on the abdomen and one on his right thigh. Alex felt much stronger than yesterday and it showed in his voice. It sounded reasonably normal and Niranene and Marlin instantly realized this.
“You sound much better. It is just an hour after the sun rose.” Niranene started before Marlin could jump in. “Tell me how you feel.” Alex explained everything to her and she grinned. “It seems that with the combination of Allahandra’s solution and mine, your body will be healed by tomorrow night.” She touched the other man’s forearm. “You may remove your item. He should be well enough by now.”
As the man walked to the city hero’s side, Marlin glanced to his right. Looking to his left Alex saw Lily smiling at him from the edge of the bed. She stood up and walked to Shade’s side. She looked just as beautiful as she did last night. Niranene walked over to the desk and began crushing up pills. Suddenly Alex’s attention turned to his chest. It felt odd.
This new man was the person whose item encased his entire body. He had his large hand on Alex’s chest and the item began almost liquefying. The item began moving to his hand and collecting itse
lf into a large cube. The first things to be freed were his feet and it felt great to move them. It was the same with his hands and arms. Once the cube had collected all of its parts, he pulled it off the patient’s chest. On his hip was a leather bag and once he flipped it up Alex saw cubes of different sizes and the cube used on himself was of the largest he had.
It felt great finally being free of his bindings. But as Alex looked down and saw that he had cloth wrappings that were stained red in a punctured pattern that matched the locations of his pain. From his neck down he was wrapped, but there wasn’t anything else underneath. Alex raised his right arm to the man in gratitude. “Thank you for helping me.”
He closed his bag and grinned. “Think nothing of it and you shouldn’t even try to sit up. You saved our queen. It’s the least I can do. You just get better for all of our sakes.” He clasped Alex’s arm and released it. He looked away saying “I’ll go back to the healing center and cover for you until you finish here, Niranene.”
Niranene began walking back towards the gathered, from the desk she used to crush up her items. She carried a glass that was now colored a light green. She spoke sincerely to the other healer. “That will be a big help. I’ll get there as quickly as I possibly can. Tell the staff to work as usual and to check if anyone is faking an injury. After the battle we need open space for the wounded. We were lucky in losing only the few…”
“I understand, Ma’am.” He jumped, seeing the pain of those murdered men flash across her face.
Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy) Page 54
