Chapter 92
The healer’s words lingered in my mind, swirling like shadows I couldn’t shake. Even as we left the forest, stepping back into the familiar paths that led to the packhouse, I couldn’t rid myself of the anxiety, the lingering sense of something being off. But as we approached, I knew I’d have to push the worries aside. There were duties waiting, things that needed tending to as Luna. I couldn’t let this… residue keep me from doing what needed to be done.
But before I could voice any of this, Arsen’s arm tightened around me, guiding me with a silent but firm authority.
“Arsen,” I began, already anticipating his response. “I can’t just go home and do nothing.”
“Yes, you can,” he replied, his voice leaving no room for argument. “And you will.”
I stopped walking, meeting his intense gaze. “I have responsibilities, Arsen. I can’t ignore them just because—”
“You’re not ignoring anything,” he interrupted, his tone unyielding. “You’re taking care of yourself, Aelin. That’s your responsibility right now.”
I opened my mouth to argue, to insist that I could handle the tasks waiting for me, but the look in his eyes silenced me. He wasn’t budging. And as much as I wanted to believe that I could push through this, that I was fine, I knew Arsen wouldn’t allow it. He was watching over me with an intensity that left no room for compromise.
“Look,” I tried again, softening my tone, “I can just handle a few things, nothing too strenuous. I’ll—”
“No, Aelin.” His hand came up, a gentle but resolute barrier. “You’re going home, and you’re resting. I don’t want you lifting a finger today.”
“Arsen, I—”
“Do you trust me?” he asked quietly, his gaze steady. “Do you trust me to know what’s best for you right now?”
The question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I simply stared at him. His face was set, a mixture of protectiveness and resolve that softened the edges of my frustration. I sighed, the fight draining out of me.
“I do,” I whispered, letting my shoulders relax.
He nodded, satisfied, and wrapped his arm around me as we continued towards the house. As soon as we stepped inside, he took my hand, leading me straight to our room. I half-expected him to sit me down with strict instructions to rest, but instead, he guided me to the bathroom, turning on the bath with a quiet confidence that left no room for protest.
“I can draw my own bath, you know,” I said, my voice tinged with a reluctant smile. But he just looked at me, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Let me take care of you,” he said simply, his tone both a command and a plea.
I felt my resistance falter. The stress, the worry—it all felt heavier now, the weight of it settling over me like a thick fog. And as much as I wanted to brush it off, to pretend that I was fine, I knew that, right now, letting him care for me was exactly what I needed.
He helped me ease out of my clothes, his hands gentle but steady as he worked. He moved with a tenderness that made my heart ache, his touch careful, as though I were something fragile. The warmth of the bath filled the air, and I found myself relaxing, the tension in my shoulders melting away under his care.
When I was settled in the bath, he took a seat on the edge, dipping a washcloth into the warm water and running it over my shoulders, his touch slow and unhurried. The room was quiet, the soft sounds of water and his steady breathing the only noises that filled the space. I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the warmth, allowing the peace of the moment to wash over me.
Arsen’s hand moved gently, his fingers massaging the tension from my shoulders, his touch a quiet reassurance. “You’re not alone in this, Aelin,” he murmured, his voice soft. “Whatever happens, I’m here. You don’t have to carry this weight by yourself.”
I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. The intensity there took my breath away, a fierce protectiveness that left no room for doubt. He was with me—fully, completely. And for the first time, I allowed myself to believe it, to let go of the fear that had been clawing at me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, reaching up to place a hand over his. His fingers tightened around mine, his touch grounding me, anchoring me to the present.
He continued to wash me, his hands moving over my arms, my back, each movement a gentle reminder of his presence. As he bathed me, his fingers brushed over the faint scars that traced my skin, remnants of battles fought and wounds healed. He didn’t shy away from them; instead, his touch lingered, a quiet acknowledgment of the strength they represented.
I felt the last of the tension melt away, the worry fading into the warmth of his touch, the steady rhythm of his breathing. The fear, the doubts—they were still there, lingering at the edges of my mind, but with Arsen beside me, they felt smaller, less insurmountable.
When he finally helped me out of the bath, wrapping a soft towel around me, I felt lighter, more at ease. He dried me off with a quiet care, his movements slow and steady, as if he were trying to savor each moment. I leaned into him, letting his warmth chase away the last remnants of my anxiety.
“You’re not going anywhere today,” he said, his voice soft but firm as he led me back to our bed, tucking the blankets around me. “No meetings, no chores. Just rest.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he silenced me with a gentle kiss, his lips brushing over mine in a silent promise. “You’ve done enough,” he murmured. “Let me take care of the rest.”
I settled back, the exhaustion I’d been holding at bay finally catching up with me. As he sat beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder, I felt a warmth settle over me, a quiet peace that chased away the last of my fears.
For now, I could rest. I could let go, knowing that he was here, watching over me. And as sleep began to pull me under, I held onto the quiet comfort of his presence, the steady beat of his heart, a silent reminder that I didn’t have to face this alone.