“May I see her?” he asks hoarsely.
Queen Nestraya nods. “She still slumbers, but she may sense your presence, and Tharios believes seeing you in the heartlanding will keep her fighting. When you’re ready, I’ll help you sleep.”
Breathing out slowly, he nods and wipes at the dampness filling his eyes before following Queen Nestraya into Elowyn’s room.
Stay with Me, My Love
Episode 67
Rominyremindshimselftobreathe as he passes into Elowyn’s hotel room. She looks peaceful lying beneath a light sheet on the bed. She’s still pale and sunken, but her color is better. Isn’t it? Perhaps that’s wishful thinking on his part.
“Go ahead and talk to her,” Tharios says quietly as he leans against the wall with Viala at his side, gently running her hands along his forearm. He looks weak. “I need to rest, but Mother will be here to watch over you both.”
Rominy nods his thanks as he lowers himself to the edge of Elowyn’s bed. All he wants to do is draw her to his chest and never let go, but he doesn’t touch her.
They said to talk to her, but everything seems so awkward on his tongue.
With a sigh, he starts anyway. “Hey, love. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m good at rambling, and you’re a captive audience, so I guess you’ll have to put up with me.
“I met Grandmera tonight. I think she already knows me better than I know myself, though I can’t fathom how that’s possible. And Arisanna wants us to visit Windhaven as soon as you feel up to traveling. I was thinking maybe instead of the chalet, we could honeymoon in Lostariel. I want tosee your world. All your favorite haunts. The tree-grown construction I’ve only read about.
“And I’ve been told I have to meet Cook. Maybe she’ll make an exception and prepare her flaming sweet bread for us just because.”
He bites his cheek to hold back the emotion hovering near the surface before continuing. “I need you to hold on, love. Because Lostariel is waiting for us.” Taking a deep breath, he whispers, “I love you,” in Elvish, though he probably mangled it.
She doesn’t stir, but her heart thrums its steady rhythm, and he holds on to that.
When he turns, Elowyn’s parents are both there, clearly trying to give him privacy while still hearing every word.
“Did I say it right?” he asks quietly.
“You did,” King Lorial says. “Everything was said perfectly, my youngling.”
“Are you ready?” Queen Nestraya asks, and Rominy nods.
After removing his boots, he lies down beside Elowyn, being careful not to touch her. Her mother presses a hand to his shoulder, and the most relaxing sensation spreads from his arm through his chest, all the way to his toes.
“Sleep well, my youngling,” Queen Nestraya says, and everything goes dark once more.
Elowynwakeswithagasp, bolting up on the deck of their sailboat. It’s twilight still, and she searches for Rominy, crawling toward him as she gets tangled in her skirt. She yanks it away as she hurries to his side.
The time for modesty between them is long gone after their twilight swim.
“Elowyn.” Rominy sounds half-panicked as he sits up and searches for her. The relief that sweeps over him when he sees her is impossible to miss, and he reaches for her as she launches herself at his solid chest and curls into his lap.
For a full minute, they cling to each other until she pulls away to press her forehead to his, brushing his golden-brown hair away from his face.
“You came back to me,” she whispers. Then she wraps her arms around him again and gives in to the emotion coursing through her.
And Rominy holds her. Whispers words to her in Elvish, mangling half of them, but it doesn’t matter. Her heart feels the love he’s trying to convey. The comfort.
Eventually, she looks into his eyes again. Tears. He’s crying, too.
With a gentle touch, she kisses each tear from his cheeks before finding his lips, but he pulls away after a brief kiss.
“Tharios sent me, El. I’m...I’m supposed to tell you to keep fighting.”
“Tharios? He’s here? I mean, there?”
