Chapter 83 Out again
Aloria
I’m trembling as I kneel beside River, my heart pounding in my chest, a mis of the fight and the adrenaline still cursing through me. The clearing feels surreal and heavy, the aftermath of our confrontation with the prince wrapping around us like a suffocating fog. River lies unconscious, his face pale against the rich, dark earth. Panic bubbles inside me, threatening to spill over.
“Stay with me, River!” I whisper fiercely, but he doesn’t respond. I can’t lose him… not after everything we’ve fought for.
Kellan’s voice breaks through my turmoil, calm and steady. “Aloria, we need to move him to a better place and check him over.” He’s already kneeling beside River, examining him with a practiced eye, assessing the situation with the intensity of a seasoned warrior.
Without hesitation, I nod, swallowing my fear. Kellan lifts River with a gentle but firm grip, cradling him against his chest. I’m right behind them, my heart racing with every step we take. The forest feels alive, watching, waiting, as we navigate through the trees, seeking a place that’s less exposed, a sanctuary where River can heal.
After a few moments, we reach a small clearing next to another much smaller pond, its surface shimmering under the dappled sunlight. “Here,” Kellan says, lowering River carefully to the ground. I drop to my knees beside him, my hands trembling.
“Is he…?” My voice trails off, fear gripping my throat.
Kellan kneels beside River, examining him closely. I can’t help but notice the way his brow furrows in concentration, the way his fingers brush against River’s pulse. “He has no apparent injuries,” he says, relief washing over me like a cool breeze. “But he smells like lightning.”
“Lightning?” I echo, my mind racing.
“Yeah. I think the prince used some kind of electric wand to stun him.” Kellan’s eyes flicker to mine, concern etched on his face. “I have heard of those, rare objects from foreign lands… They can knock someone out, but it’s usually temporary.”
I nod, trying to process the information. “Will he be okay?” The question hangs in the air, heavy with my desperation.
Kellan exhales slowly, his gaze steady. “His heart beats fine, his breathing is steady. He just needs a bit of time. I’m sure of that.”
Relief floods through me, but it’s quickly followed by a wave of guilt. “Thank you for coming with me, for trusting me, Kellan,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “I…”
“Don’t mention it, my Luna,” he interrupts, a small smile breaking through his serious demeanor. “I’m happy I trusted you. You know that.”
His words warm me, and I feel a bond of camaraderie solidify between us… a shared understanding of the weight we carry for those we love.
As Kellan and the warriors starts to gather supplies for a campfire, I take a moment to breathe, to center myself. I step to the edge of the pond, splashing cold water onto my trembling hands and face. The shock of the cold wakes me up, brings clarity amidst the chaos. I scrub away the remnants of the battle, washing away the blood and grime.
I return to River’s side, kneeling beside him, cradling his hand in mine. His skin is cool, but I can feel the faint thrum of his pulse beneath my fingers. “Come back to me, River,” I murmur softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “I need you.”
Kellan and the other warriors set to work, gathering wood and stones, their movements efficient and purposeful. The crackle of the fire soon fills the air, a comforting sound amidst the tension. I can hear their hushed conversations as they prepare food, their voices blending with the soft rustle of leaves around us.
“I’ll take first watch,” Kellan announces, his tone leaving no room for argument. I appreciate his determination, his willingness to protect us.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice steadying as I focus on River. I can’t let fear overwhelm me. I need to be here for him, to hold on to hope.
As the fire crackles to life, casting flickering shadows across the clearing, I lean closer to River, my heart aching with love and fear. I can’t imagine a world without him in it… his laughter, his light, his indomitable spirit.
I murmur stories to him, tales of our adventures, of the times we fought side by side. I speak of the future I envision for us, of quiet evenings under the stars, of laughter shared by the fire. I squeeze his hand gently, willing him to hear me, to feel my presence. “You’re stronger than this,” I whisper fiercely. “You’ll fight back. I know you will.”
The night deepens around us, stars twinkling like distant hopes in the sky. Kellan watches the perimeter, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. The other warriors keep busy, but I can feel the tension in the air… a silent understanding that we are still not safe.
I lean closer to River, pressing my forehead against his, my heart full of unspoken words. “Please, come back to me,” I whisper, the vulnerability in my voice raw and real. “I need you to fight.”
And in that moment, as time stretches and the world fades into the background, I feel a flicker of warmth beneath my fingers. A heartbeat, steady and strong. I cling to that heartbeat, to the hope it brings, and I know that as long as we hold on to each other, we will find our way back from the darkness.
“Here, you need to keep your strength," Kellan says softly, handing me a bowl of stew that I have no idea how he whipped up, as I was so focused on River. “And stop worrying so much, Aloria… he will be okay.”
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