Together, they make their way down the stairs. Father’s guards stand outside Elowyn’s room, and Arisanna glances at Cerian. He has that shuttered look in place already.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” she asks. “Wait for the room to be less crowded?”
He shakes his head and opens his mouth, but his words are slow to come. She just wants to wrap him in her arms and tell him it will be okay. That he’s safe.
But she squeezes his hand instead and waits for him to speak.
“I wish to see Elowyn. In case...in case she had a rough night and no one could find us.”
Father’s guards knew where they were, but Arisanna doesn’t remind Cerian of that. If he needs to see with his own eyes that Elowyn is surviving, she won’t dissuade him.
Father’s guards let them pass, and Cerian gently pushes open the door. Mother sits in a chair at Rominy’s side again while Cerian’s mother kneels beside Elowyn, watching her daughter sleep. It’s a touching scene, and Arisanna swallows the lump in her throat.
“Your grandmother has complete faith in you,” Arisanna’s father says to Tharios nearby. “That’s enough for me. Do whatever you believe is best for both of them.”
Arisanna glances up at Cerian, but Cerian is too focused on their conversation to notice her looking his way.
“The magic slows his body enough to limit the sustenance he requires,” Tharios says, “but it would bewise to rouse him soon and get some food and water in him. I’d also appreciate whatever report he can give of her well-being.”
Tharios wants to wake Rominy? Arisanna glances back at the bed. He looks so peaceful. The thought of ripping him out of the heartlanding squeezes her chest.
But Tharios knows what he’s doing.
“If you think it’s best to wake him, you have my permission,” Father says, and Tharios nods.
“I will return them both to health, Your Majesty,” Tharios says firmly, and Father pats his shoulder.
“I believe in you, Tharios. I’ve seen your parents work impressive feats of magic. I expect no less from you. And please call me Gerault. We are family now.”
“How is Elowyn?” Cerian says beside Arisanna, and Tharios and Father turn their way.
A slight smile crosses Father’s face when he sees them, and he pulls Arisanna close. “I’m sorry to put you out of your room. I’m told you found another one that suited you, though.”
The twinkle in his eyes when he lets her go sends a flush up her neck. He must know where they ended up.
“Our new room is nice. We’ll be fine.”
Tharios steps closer. “Elowyn held steady through the night. She’s getting stronger every day. I believe the worst is behind us.”
Cerian sags against Arisanna’s shoulder, and she almost loses her balance, but a whisper of wind swirls around them and holds them steady.
Tharios is a good brother.
“It will be all right, Cer,” Tharios says.
“Thank you,” Arisanna says softly. “For everything.”
Hopefully, he understands.
“Every night?” he asks quietly in Elvish so only she and Cerian can hear him.
“Yes,” Cerian whispers before she can respond. “Thank you.”
“I’ve got your back, Cer. Always. That goes for both of you.” He switches back to Nunian to address Father. “We should limit the people in the room. Rominy will be disoriented when he wakes. He’ll need space. Perhaps one of you can stay to give him a familiar face without overwhelming him? I’ll let you decide.”
Tharios wanders back to the bed, and Father sighs. “Your mother will want to stay, but that will turn into Rominy comforting her rather than the other way around.”
Arisanna bites her lip as she glances at the bed. Father’s probably right.
