At least Mother seems so anxious about seeing Rominy that she barely notices Arisanna at all.
Small mercies.
“Now remember, Tharios wishes for us to be quiet while we’re in the room,” King Lorial says. “To keep Rominy’s heart steady and strong for both of them.”
Mother nods. Hopefully, her love for Rominy will help her keep her voice down.
Cerian pauses to set his bucket inside their hotel room before they follow the others. He never lets go of her hand, though she feels a little silly now for imagining anyone would care what they were doing in that alcove when they’re all so focused on how ill Elowyn is.
As they squeeze into the small room, King Lorial pulls a chair to Rominy’s side of the bed for Mother.
“He looks like he’s sleeping,” Mother says quietly.
“He is sleeping,” Tharios says. “I can wake him if you wish me to, but keeping his heart rate steady is the best thing for both of them right now.”
“Don’t wake him,” Father says. “If he loves her, he’ll want that. And he’s with her now in this...heartlanding?”
“Most likely,” King Lorial says. “That’s usually how the magic works.”
“How long has he been sleeping?” Father asks.
“Since very early this morning,” Cerian’s mother says from near her husband’s side as Grandmera holds Elowyn’s hand in the chair Cerian was sitting in earlier.
She must be a fire wielder, too.
“Elowyn has been slowly gaining ground today,” Tharios says. “I am encouraged. I can’t promise she’s past the worst of it, but I am hopeful.”
A sob catches in Mother’s throat, and Arisanna’s eyes prickle, but she blinks back the sensation as she clings to Cerian. To her surprise, he lets go of her hand and wraps his arm around her instead. Right there in front of everyone.
Not that anyone is looking at them.
Pushing away her fears of doing something that might scandalize Mother, Arisanna rests her head against Cerian’s shoulder. Maybe he needs her comfort as much as she needs him right now.
“Where do you go in these dreams of yours, my darling?” Mother whispers as her cheeks grow damp with her quiet tears.
“Water,” Cerian says. He clears his throat, and Arisanna’s heart warms. Is he trying to comfort Mother? “I picture them near water. Elowyn loves water.”
“The sea,” Mother breathes. “That’s what she meant. When I asked where they wanted to honeymoon, she said she’d always wanted to see the ocean, but she was satisfied on that front.”
The room grows quiet as they all watch the sleeping couple.
“She would love that,” King Lorial says. “Thank you, Yalisa. Let’s imagine her there on the water, happy with Rominy.”
His voice is full of emotion, and Cerian tightens his arm around Arisanna’s shoulders as she pictures Rominy and Elowyn by the sea.
WhenElowynwakes,warmthseeps through her lightweight gown into her back as Rominy’s solid chest rests against her. His arm lies over her waist, and his gentle breathing tickles her neck.
Did they fall asleep curled up together like this? And where are they?
Without moving, she studies the room around her. It’s their tiny bedroom in their cozy cottage.
They’re still in the heartlanding.
At least they’re together while she lies unconscious in the real world. Tharios is taking good care of them both. Of that, she has no doubt.
They might as well enjoy their time here together. Perhaps Rominy will agree to go on an adventure today. She endured his moping yesterday. He seemed too full of anxiety to do anything else.
But they’ll both be happier if he doesn’t spend hours staring out the window at the rain.
