“Nestraya?” There’s hurt in Father’s voice. Fear. Disappointment.
Tharios sighs. He didn’t want to do this. He was hoping Mother would own the truth herself.
Everyone awake in the room watches quietly. Even Viala has set her book aside. Rominy’s parents can’t understand what’s being discussed in Elvish, but they’re definitely listening.
“I didn’t want you to worry, Lorial,” Mother says. “Our daughter is our priority right now.”
“So you kept me in the dark? Worded your responses carefully to prevent me from guessing? What am I not supposed to know?”
When Mother doesn’t respond, Father turns to Tharios.
“Tell him,” she whispers, and Tharios sighs.
“Her life magic is not fully recovered. I don’t know if it ever will be. It feels injured to me. But it won’t get better if you don’t rest it, Mother. And fully replenish it. I know Elowyn needed you, and I needed your help. I asked you to help me. But Elowyn is getting better, and if you want a chance at regaining your full strength, you need to rest now. Before this becomes permanent.”
Father rubs his eyes. “One of you should have told me.”
“It wasn’t my place to tell,” Tharios says.
“No,” Mother says. “It was mine. I am sorry, Lorial. I didn’t wish for you to worry. Even if my magic never returns to full strength, I don’t regret for one moment the sacrifice we made.” She glances at Rominy, who watches from the bed. Who knows how much of their conversation he’s followed?
Father draws her close, and she relaxes against him.
“We will get you better, my love,” he whispers. “Whatever it takes.”
“What do you recommend?” Grandmera asks Tharios.
“Rest your life magic, Mother. No exceptions. Give it a chance to recover.” Tharios meets Father’s eyes. “And flesh contact. As much as you can manage for a few days.” Tharios glances around the room before stepping closer and lowering his voice. “The more...stimulating the flesh contact, the better her magic might respond.”
Mother buries her face against Father, and Father laughs. “The conversations you don’t anticipate having with your elflings.”
“Trust me. It goes both ways.”
“If Elowyn needs us, you’ll send someone?” Father asks.
“Of course.”
“I don’t wish for her to worry,” Mother says.
“I know. But you need to care for yourself, too. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”
Mother sighs and nods. “I love you, Tharios. Even when I’m not happy with you.”
“I’ve never doubted it. Now go rest.”
Father clears his throat before whispering in Tharios’s ear, and Tharios grins. “You mean you don’t want more of us?”
He doesn’t wait for Father to answer before working his life magic. If he doesn’t do it, Mother will almost certainly ignore his strictures and do it herself.
“That will last for a week,” he says. “After that, you’re on your own.”
Father nods. “Understood. Thank you.”
“Don’t forget to rest,” Mother says. “I’m not the only one who pretends to be invincible.”
“He will rest. I’ll see to it,” Viala says from her nearby chair.
“I will,” Tharios says. “Don’t worry about me.”
