I partake in it all.
The healer was correct. The first spoonful of broth ignites something in my belly. Not just hunger. Need.
The need to feel alive, to taste, to be. Now that I am awake, my hunger is insatiable. When I bite into a fresh strawberry, I let out a moan. It is divine.
Vale’s smile broadens, and I feel a flush at the attention he casts my way.
With my belly full, I feel my body start to ease. I sink into the pillows, my head resting against his arm now that he has moved to sit beside me on the bed. “You should rest, little flame,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“I don’t want to close my eyes,” I whisper, the words trailing as I yawn.
He shifts slightly, reaching to the table beside the bed—to the bookI had left there. Tales I turned to in his absence when sleep proved too elusive.
He reads to me until I drift once more.
When I wake, the sun is warm. He remains at my side, the book sitting on his lap, his eyes opening as I move. We’ve made it to morning.
And for the first time in days, I believe I might still have a future.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vale reaches to steady me, my first steps a weak, stumbling mess as I attempt to greet the day. He and Soria both hover, ready to aid me or scold me depending on how defiantly I push. I am beyond grateful to have Vale back. His presence brings me so much peace. I cannot fathom spending the whole day in bed, though. Well, not so long as Soria, healers, and other visitors keep stopping by to check on me. I feel like a baby bird they fear will tumble from the nest too soon the way they gawk and stare.
A sense of relief washes over me when Soria ushers everyone out, yes, even Vale, and lets me know a bath has been prepared for me.
She still lingers nearer than usual. Watches more keenly. I abide by it if for no other reason than she remains quiet.
I sink into the steaming water, the heat enveloping me. The scent of milk and jasmine mingle as I inhale. Tired and twisted muscles at last begin to ease, but the splintered tears linger. The ache of the fever spurred fractals of damage throughout. But now, that burn has turned molten, and I am the one that melts. The war in my body has subsided.
I let go.
Finally, true relaxation, not the languishing in bed of the past day and a half.
When Soria dresses me in a simple gown and pulls back my damp hair, I start to feel more myself, though still very much recovering.
The window is open, and the summer winds reach in beyond the balcony to caress my skin. A welcoming renewal.
I do not fight Soria’s insistence to sit and eat. I feel myself growing restless, but I am far from full strength.
Whether it was the herbs the healers provided or simply the passage of time, I do feel well. Shaky, but well.
I turn to face the door as it creaks open. Vale greets me with a tentative smile. Eyeing me to see how I’ve fared while he was out. He exhales in relief when he sees me still mid-bite from the meal set in front of me. He turns back to the door, waving in Ace, who strides in, carrying an obnoxiously large floral display.
“You know things are dire when they send in the roses,” he jokes. I balk when a number of attendants continue bringing in arrangements of flowers and placing them throughout the room.
“What is all this?” I ask with a laugh.
“Well wishes from your many admirers,” Ace quips.
Vale looks at him, bewildered and amused. “Ace says you made quite the impression while I was gone.” He turns his attention solely on me. “I hope this means I don’t have to share you with all of Caerhollan.”
He takes my hands in his, sitting down across from me. His discerning gaze draws more attention than I care for with the amount of concern laced within it.
“Perhaps I can relieve you of duty, miss,” Ace directs to Soria. I look at her myself now. I am sure she got some sleep as Vale held me through the night, though I have no doubt her vigil carried on longer than it ought.
“Ace is right,” I chime in. “These two will see to it I am well cared for. Please, go rest yourself.”
It takes more convincing, but at least she resigns herself to our will.
