Chapter Eighty

The first thing Ellie became aware of when she began to wake was the pain. Her whole body sang with it, crying out in protest at the mere thought of trying to move. It wasn’t as severe as when she’d lost consciousness, but it was enough to give her pause before opening her eyes.

The second thing she became aware of was the soft, whispered voices that floated through the air. She couldn’t make out what was being said, but she could instantly tell by the soft tenor that Avery was speaking to someone. Ellie fought against her body and focused on cracking one eye open, searching for her lover.

She couldn’t see anything – though the room was dimly lit, everything she tried to focus on seemed too blurry to make out. Her eye closed and she took a slow, deep breath.

The smell of earth and a cool rain flooded her senses, and she gave a small smile. The muscles in her face tingled slightly at the movement, but she didn’t care.

*Home. I’m home.*

She felt the air move around her as something small and light landed near her head. A single chirp was all she needed to know that Marla had settled next to her. Soft feathers nestled against her cheek, and Ellie finally found the strength to open both of her eyes. It took a moment for the blurriness to subside, but when it did, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Small glass balls full of warm, swirling magical light hung here and there from the ceiling, making the growing shadows dance. Night had not completely fallen, but she could tell that it was near. The longer she stared at the canopy above her, the brighter the orbs seemed to shine.

“Ellie? Do you know where you are?”

“Of course I do, you walnut. I’m home.” Her voice sounded frail and hoarse to her own ears. *Avery must be freaking out*, she thought worriedly. She heard him exhale and knew that she had been right. She saw movement to her left and moved her head in that direction. Avery sat in a stiff chair near the bed, watching her with worried eyes. Ellie frowned as she studied him.

His hair had been gathered into a messy braid and pushed to one side. Dark circles ringed his eyes like bruises, and his cheekbones seemed somehow more prominent than they should.

“How long have I been out?” she whispered.

“Just under four days. But it was very touch and go for a while. Doctor Zephyr said…”

Avery didn’t finish his sentence, his eyes becoming unfocused and teary.

“I’m fine now, Avery. That’s all that matters.” His lips tightened as if he was holding himself back from disagreeing, but he swallowed whatever words he wanted to say and nodded. He reached out, taking one of her hands gently in his own.

“Ellie, I know you’ve only just woken up, but there’s something you need to know.” Ellie squeezed his hand and nodded.

“I know, Avery. He told me while I was out…” Avery looked confused for a moment before realization spread across his face.

“Oh. You saw him… like you saw your mother.” Ellie nodded.

“He said it was better this way…” She paused, unsure of how to continue. “He said we’ll understand later,” she said slowly. She closed her eyes, seeing Aldred’s sweet face before her. “He was never meant for this world.”

“He told you this?”

“He did.”

They were quiet for a while, each lost in their thoughts. Rain pattered on the balcony outside, intensifying as darkness fell completely outside.

Ellie glanced at Avery, her heart heavy. She knew that no matter what she told him, he’d always blame himself for losing Aldred. She hoped that one day she’d be able to talk to him about it and explain further what she meant, but she knew that now was not the time.

“Help me sit?” she asked suddenly.

“Of course.” He climbed carefully onto the bed and slid an arm behind her. He placed his other arm under her knees and lifted her slowly from the bed, helping her settle into a sitting position against the pillows behind her.

“That feels a lot better,” she sighed. “Just hold me like this. Please.” In truth, the change of position had nothing to do with her sudden relief. As soon as Avery’s hand had touched hers, she’d felt a small surge of… something. It had been a cool, soothing sensation that eased some of the ache in her arms.

When he lifted her and she had been cradled against his chest, the feeling had spread throughout her entire body. The aching in her bones and muscles subsided as he settled next to her, wrapping his arms protectively around her.

"Is there anything I can get you?" Elvin asked softly from the doorway. "Water? Or perhaps more pillows?" Ellie shook her head, relaxing against Avery. "Alright. Send Marla if you need anything." He pushed the door open, preparing to leave, but paused. She could that he was struggling to leave, unwilling to part with her so soon.

"You know you can stay, right?" Ellie said softly. "You're as calming for me as Avery is." She patted the empty space on the bed next to her and smiled when he snapped the door shut and hurried to her side. He climbed onto the bed next to her, sandwiching her between him and Avery.

"If you were anyone else, I'd be jealous," Avery grumbled.

"Oh, so the irritation I'm sensing is -- what? -- happiness?" Elvin asked sarcastically. Ellie snorted, unable to contain herself.

"You fucking walnut. It's *Elvin*. He's the last man in the universe I'd ever be interested in *that* way." Elvin cackled next to her, his laughter catching on to the others.

"Sorry, I can't help it," Avery admitted sheepishly. His fingers brushed some of her back that had fallen onto her face. "I just love you so much."

"And I love you. *Both* of you." She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, feeling the rest of her physical pain subside as Elvin cuddled into her side. Despite being out of it for almost four days, she was exhausted. Her heart, though still heavy with the pain of losing Aldred, felt a bit lighter as she lay between the two people she loved most in this world.

Hi all.

I apologize for the delay. To be honest, it's been hard for me to write lately. My mom is getting ready to start dialysis, we had some issues with my brothers, and my overall health tanked again. I know it's not fair to you guys, and again, I apologize. Things are about to get more hectic in my life as I take my mom to and from dialysis, but I'm working on coming up with a schedule to help give me some time to myself so that I don't get overwhelmed again.

The story is coming into its final act, and I'm planning on having it finished by the end of November (maybe sooner if things become less hectic). I hope you're ready for what's coming! Love to you all!