Chapter 30
Raven’s POV
“-doing better, slightly sore but other than that her wound is healing rather well.”
The voice was faint but I knew it was nearby. My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to pry them open. A groan left my lips as I tried to lift myself up and fluttered my eyes open to see that I was laying in a bed I didn’t recognize.
“Woah, slow down there.” The deep voice said above me while a hand pressed against my back to hold me steady to help me sit up.
I looked up to purple eyes and my brows furrowed together.
“Who... who are you?”
I sputtered, his eyes widened and he snapped his head towards the doctor.
“I’m just kidding Rhyland, I got stabbed, I didn’t hit my head.” I tried to laugh but the soreness of my side made it very clear that it wasn’t going to happen.
Ryland let out a deep breath before glaring at me.
“Yeah, she’s good Doc.” The old man behind Rhyland grabbed a duffel bag off of the floor and nodded, sending me a small smile.
He looked back towards Rhyland and reached into his duffel bag, pulling out a small bottle of something.
“She will need these every morning when she wakes up and every night when she goes to sleep to help with the pain.”
My mouth curled up in distaste and Rhyland must’ve noticed it.
“I think I have a better idea Doc.” A mischievous gleam in Rhyland’s eye caught my attention and the doctor just nodded before leaving the room.
When the door shut behind him, I looked towards Rhyland.
“What’s that ‘better idea’ ?” I asked and he just shrugged before walking over to me. His hands gently ease down on either side of my legs as his face became inches from mine.
“See, I’ve heard about this magical place,” he began with a smile on his lips. I smiled back knowing he was speaking of Zanatra.
“Oh is that so? And how do you plan on getting to this magical place in a hurry? As I recall you killed the only person that could transport us there.”
His eyebrows raised and he leaned closer to me.
“Are you sure about that?”
I winced as I tried to situate myself more comfortably and Rhyland instantly lifted his hands from beside me to help me.
“I’m pretty sure. I think I’d remember you snatching someone’s heart out and drowning another.”
At my words, he instantly tensed and looked down as if he were ashamed. I lifted my hand up and pulled his face back up to look at me.
“Hey, you did the right thing.”
He let out a deep breath before slowly shaking his head at me.
“It’s not that, I.. I just didn’t want you to see me like that. I don’t want you to think-,”
Before he could finish, I pull him in and captured his lips with mine. The soft plushness sparking fire in me and I felt the same hunger back from him in return.
His lips were gentle against mine as if I were a porcelain doll and he didn’t want to break me. His arms wrapped around me softly and pulled me slowly against his chest, never breaking the kiss.
Pain exploded from the wound and I tried to cover up my wince but he noticed right away and pulled back.
“We definitely need to get you to Zanatra and get you healed up.” His purple orbs gazed down at me and with a small smirk he stood up.
“How do you plan on doing that?” I questioned and tugged at the shirt I had on. Wait.. my shirt was covered in blood.
My eyes darted down to my clothes and found that I was in a T shirt and some of my shorts that were here before we left for Zanatra.
“I didn’t change you, a maid did I promise.” He said as he noticed me looking down at my clothes in confusion. “ And well, Queen Fara’s bloodline didn’t stop at Elijah.”
I looked up at him before it hit me, the last thing I remember is Eladia laying beside Queen Fara calling her ‘mother’.
“That sneaky little-,” I stood up abruptly and went to take a step but my leg gave out. Rhyland grabbed me by my waist and pulled me up against his side before wrapped my arm over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, it’s taken care of. As of now, let’s go see your brother. He’s been worried sick.”
I nodded and he lifted my weight that was being supported by him as we walked towards the door.
“How long was I out?” I questioned and he just shrugged.
“Maybe a few hours. Long enough for everything to calm down.”
I nodded at that, thankful that I wasn’t out for too long.
We moved up the stairs and towards the hallway that Cassius and I had stayed on, but instead of walking towards his door we turned at mine.
I looked up at Rhyland, confused.
“He’s been in here since everything happened. He said it made him feel better.” His voice vibrates his chest and rumbled against my side.
We eased the door open and I spotted Cassius sitting on my old bed with the balcony doors wide open. The curtains were flowing smoothly with the air blowing by.
“Wow, don’t you just like asthetic right now.” I said playfully at Cassius and his head snapped in my direction. His blue eyes widened while he jumped up and ran to me, sliding slightly on the floors.
“Oh my gods you’re okay!” He engulfed me into a bear hug and I instantly wrapped my arms around him gently.
“Okay, okay watch it! Too tight!” I sputtered out and he dropped his arms.
“Sorry..” He mumbled and stepped back into the room to allow us deeper in. Rhyland and I both took it and moved into the room and stepped out onto the balcony behind Cassius.
I couldn’t help myself from thinking how he just feel.
His sister was stabbed and his best friend was killed right in front of him.
“Are you okay?”
I looked up at him and he just smiled slightly.
“Raven, the only thing I could’ve asked for is for you to be safe.”
“I know, it’s just.. your best friend di-,”
“My best friend died a long time ago, Raven.” He said quietly and I instantly moved over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.
He’s right. Elijah wasn’t the childish boy from my memory, nor was he the boy Cassius remembered him to be. Time changes people, either for better or for worse.