Chapter 91

I woke slowly, emerging from a dreamless sleep to the faint light filtering in through the window. I could feel the warmth of Arsen’s arm around me, his steady presence grounding me even as the last traces of my lingering fears pulled at me. The room felt strangely still, as if even the air was waiting for something.

I blinked, letting the morning come into focus. The world seemed softer, muted, like the calm before a storm. Arsen’s hold tightened around me, and I turned to see him watching me, his gaze intense and unwavering. His expression was unreadable, his eyes tracing over my face as if searching for answers that weren’t there.

“Good morning,” I murmured, my voice still thick with sleep. I felt oddly vulnerable under his gaze, as if he could see every worry, every fear I’d kept hidden.

“Good morning,” he replied, his voice low, steady. But something in his tone was different, more serious, more intent.

I tried to sit up, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled me closer, his hand coming to rest on the small of my back. I could feel the tension in his grip, the way his fingers tightened slightly, as if he was afraid I’d disappear.

“Arsen, what’s wrong?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. But I already knew. I could feel it in the way he looked at me, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me.

He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. “Your scent, Aelin. It’s still… off.”

My stomach twisted, the familiar unease creeping back into my chest. “It’s just stress,” I said quickly, trying to reassure him—and myself.

He shook his head, his gaze unwavering. “Maybe. But I don’t want to risk it.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words caught in my throat. I could see the worry etched into his features, the way his jaw was set, his eyes dark with a determination that made it clear he wasn’t going to let this go. He’d felt it too, that subtle wrongness, and he wasn’t about to ignore it.

“Aelin,” he said softly, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand, “I want you to see someone. A healer who can tell us if there’s something Ascian might have done, something we can’t see.”

The thought made my stomach clench, a cold fear creeping into my bones. I’d been avoiding it, brushing it off as just exhaustion, hoping it would go away on its own. But Arsen’s gaze held me steady, grounding me even as the panic threatened to take hold.

“What if…” I swallowed, the words thick in my throat. “What if they find something?”

“Then we’ll deal with it. Together,” he said, his voice firm, his hand wrapping around mine in a grip that felt unbreakable. “But I won’t let this go. Not if it means keeping you safe.”

I closed my eyes, letting the strength of his conviction wash over me, pulling me out of my spiral. I didn’t want to go. The idea of someone probing, of facing the possibility that something might actually be wrong, made me want to run in the opposite direction. But I knew he was right. I knew I couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine, not when every instinct I had was screaming that it wasn’t.

“Okay,” I whispered, opening my eyes to meet his. “I’ll go.”

He nodded, his expression softening, relief flickering in his gaze. “Thank you,” he said, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I know it’s… hard.”

Hard didn’t begin to cover it. The fear that had clung to me last night returned in full force, curling around my heart, but I pushed it down. I had to. For him, for us.

I slid out of bed, my body heavy with the weight of the decision. Arsen moved beside me, his presence a constant reassurance, his hand never leaving mine as we dressed, each movement filled with a quiet determination. He didn’t say much, just gave me space, his touch a steady comfort that kept my own fears from spiraling out of control.

By the time we reached the healer’s cottage, the morning sun was high, casting long shadows across the ground. The air felt too bright, too sharp, like the world was pressing in on me, forcing me to confront the reality I’d been trying so hard to avoid.

Arsen led me inside, his hand firm on my back as he introduced us to the healer. She was an older woman, her eyes sharp and perceptive as she took us in, her gaze lingering on me with a softness that was almost unnerving. She didn’t ask any questions, just gave me a reassuring nod as she motioned for me to sit.

I sank onto the bench, feeling Arsen settle beside me, his presence solid and comforting. The healer placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch light as she closed her eyes, a soft murmur escaping her lips. I could feel a gentle warmth spreading through me, a strange calm washing over my body.

For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe, to let the healer’s energy soothe the edges of my fear. But it wasn’t long before her expression shifted, a small frown creasing her brow as she continued to murmur, her voice low and rhythmic.

A knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach, the fear clawing its way back up, but Arsen’s hand on my back kept me steady. He didn’t say anything, just pressed his thumb gently against my shoulder, a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone.

After what felt like an eternity, the healer opened her eyes, her gaze settling on me with a solemn expression. She took a deep breath, glancing briefly at Arsen before turning back to me.

“There’s a faint trace,” she said slowly, her voice measured, careful. “A residue, barely noticeable, but it’s there. Something foreign, a lingering effect of magic.”

The words hit me like a blow, my breath catching as I tried to process what she was saying. A residue. Something left behind. I felt a cold numbness settle over me, a quiet horror that made it hard to breathe.

“What does it mean?” I managed, my voice barely a whisper.

The healer’s gaze softened, a quiet sympathy in her eyes. “It’s hard to say. The magic is faint, almost completely faded, but it may have caused… disruptions. To your cycles, to your body’s natural rhythm. It’s likely temporary, but…” She trailed off, her expression cautious.

“But we don’t know for sure,” Arsen finished, his voice steady, though I could feel the tension radiating from him.

The healer nodded, her expression apologetic. “No, we don’t. But I can give you something to help clear the remnants, to restore balance. With time, your body should return to normal.”

I nodded, barely able to speak as relief and fear warred within me. The idea that it might be temporary brought a small flicker of hope, but the uncertainty gnawed at me, a reminder of the shadows Ascian had cast over my life.

I felt Arsen’s arm wrap around me, pulling me close, his strength a steady presence as I tried to find my footing. I leaned into him, letting his warmth chase away the chill that had settled in my bones, grateful for his unwavering support.

“Thank you,” I whispered to the healer, my voice shaky. She gave me a gentle smile, her hand brushing lightly over mine.

“Take it easy,” she said, her gaze kind. “Trust in your body. It will heal, given time.”

I nodded, squeezing Arsen’s hand as we stood to leave. As we stepped back into the sunlight, I felt the warmth of the day seep into my skin, a small reminder that not all shadows lasted. Arsen’s hand remained in mine, grounding me, reminding me that whatever came next, we would face it together.