“How do you feel?” Tharios asks Elowyn.
“Tired. But not sleepy like I was. And my whole body aches. But I can’t move my arm. Please tell me you did that.” Her voice cracks on that last pleading sentence.
“I did. It’s temporary. I promise.”
Relief sweeps over her, and Rominy squeezes her hand.
“Closer, my love,” she whispers, and he leans near.
“What is it?”
“You tricked me. You were supposed to set me on fire. Not put me to sleep.”
It takes him a moment to process her meaning, and a smile slips across his face. “I’ll make it up to you. Any way you want.”
“Hmm. I like the sound of that.”
He doesn’t even try to stem the tears filling his eyes. He’s too busy resisting the urge to clutch her to his chest.
The door opens again as Queen Nestraya rushes into the room with Lorial.
When Elowyn’s father meets Rominy’s eyes, Rominy can’t hold back his smile as he wipes at his tears and nods. Lorial looks as emotional as Rominy feels. He paces the room, a seeming bundle of joyous energy, and Rominy almost laughs at the echoes of Elowyn he sees in her father.
“Mera,” Elowyn whispers as Queen Nestraya kneels at her side. “Is that really you? You’re so strong.”
“We need to get you strong again, my darling.”
“I’m trying. I promise.”
“I know you are. You’re doing beautifully.”
“I’m sorry. I forgot to watch my fire magic. I—”
“Shh. You just worry about getting better now, all right?”
“Did you forget, or did you ignore me?” Tharios looks at her pointedly, and a smile twitches the corners of her mouth.
“I’m not sure I should answer that.”
“That’s what I thought.” Tharios bops her nose, and she laughs. It sounds rusty and unused, but it’s beautiful,and Rominy wants to wrap himself around her and shoo everyone else away.
Cerian and Arisanna eventually return, and Grandmera arrives with Rominy’s parents, but through it all, Rominy never leaves Elowyn’s side.
Tharios hands him the cup of ice chips Cerian and Arisanna procured. “Slowly, a tiny bit at a time, so she doesn’t grow nauseated.”
Rominy nods and takes the cup with the spoon.
Elowyn’s eyes twinkle as he offers her an ice chip. They don’t exchange words. They don’t have to. He feels the adoration in her gaze, the amusement as he drops ice chip after ice chip past her lips.
He’d follow each one with a kiss if the room weren’t full to bursting with so many people who love them both.
Mother would probably faint if he did.
But Father would laugh.
He won’t kiss her, though. Her fire magic needs to stay quiet.
And he doesn’t whisper what he’s thinking in her ear. That as soon as they return to the heartlanding, she’s his. He won’t be holding back.
