Silas snorted as he strode over to Bastian, who was already starting to crush ingredients together. "Those two always antagonize."
"Never, goddess," Jas whispered in my ear before lightly biting down on my earlobe and pulling away.
"We're more likely to behave if we get promised a reward," Cas murmured in my other ear before kissing the side of my mouth and sitting up straight.
"Fine, if you behave, you can have a reward," I gave in, and they reached up to high five above my head.
Shaking my head, I sent out my magical signature toward Declan's, and soon enough, a faint buzz echoed in my skull.
Declan's image appeared in front of me, and I couldn't help the gasp that came from my parted lips.
He was in a bed lying down at the guild, and his face was marred by deep purple bruises and cuts. His skin was tinted a shade of gray, and he clenched his teeth in pain. I knew he'd been given healing potions, so the fact that he looked so bad meant his vessel was truly damaged. His left eye was covered by a bandage, and his remaining eye brimmed with pain and exhaustion as it met my gaze.
A flicker of recognition flashed across his expression as he tried to muster a smile. "Fawn...Master Fawn," he corrected himself with a wince. His breathing was shallow and uneven. "You called."
"Of course I called, Declan," I murmured softly, and my chest tightened at the sight of him. "How are you?"
His breath hitched, and tears welled in his eye that was uncovered as he just shook his head back and forth.
"It'll be okay, Declan. We're going to figure this all out."
Fat tears rolled down his cheek. "It's all my fault," he croaked.
"It's not your fault," I assured him. "Ash told me everything that happened. You did your job, and so did the members of your party. I know it hurts, and it's not fair. But it isn't your fault."
"I'm so sorry, Master Fawn." His voice sounded like his throat had been put through a shredder.
I frowned. "Why are you apologizing?"
"My entire party is dead. Surviving when those you care about die is harder than I thought it was. I understand why you've been keeping your distance with me." His expression contorted into agony as he attempted to swallow before launching himself into a coughing fit. "I'm sorry for pushing you and for not understanding sooner."
"I'm glad you didn't understand sooner. That's something that you can only understand if you experience it, and I never wanted that for you." I folded my hands in my lap. "I need you to focus on getting better. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"I'm never going to be an adventurer again...am I?"
"You will remain an adventurer, but I do not believe you will be going on any more missions." I bit down on my lip. "There is plenty for you to do at the guild, though. You won't be discarded. Your party gave their lives for the lives of innocents. You did something amazing."
The constant stream of tears sliding down his cheek remained as he nodded. "Thank you."
"Get better soon," I murmured.
He nodded mutely.
"Spirits of Hexarium bless," I told him.
"Spirits of Hexarium bless," he mumbled as the call faded out.
My heart went out to Declan. When I first started the adventurer guild, I lost many of my adventurers in my parties to monsters, and I was the lone survivor every time. It happened more times than I was proud to admit, but I knew he would overcome it. It would just take time.
"Are you ready to eat, bug?" Aimon brows furrowed together in worry as he held a bowl out for me.
I nodded, taking the bowl from him with a soft smile. "Yeah. I'm ready to eat."
The rest of the guys made their bowls and sat down on the couch with me to eat. It was nice having room for everyone to sit without having some of us get on the floor.
I loved everything Aimon made, but his stew was by far my favorite.
"Are you okay?" Bastian asked before he took his first bite of food.
