Page 136 of Journey to the Elderoak
No, not silence. Footsteps. Loud and echoing, they hurt her head.
Back and forth. Back and forth. Someone was pacing.
She was so cold. Why was she so cold?
Slowly, the darkness waned. Faint light made its way into her vision. Her head pounded; body shivered. A hand grasped her own. Warm, large, and familiar.
Her name. Someone was saying her name. “Ava? Can you hear me?”
Yes,she thought.Yes, I can hear you.But the words wouldn’t come. Her eyes wouldn’t open.
“Are you there, love?”
I’m here. I’m here!
But darkness returned, and she was pulled under oncemore.
Ava could feel her body,the darkness and cold now replaced by warmth. Softness surrounded her. The voices had been clearer, more distinct, but were currently silent. Sometimes she heard them speaking in hushed tones, but could never make out their words. Who were they? Her friends, maybe. Her family. Her love.
She released a shuddering breath and opened her eyes. Vision met with bright and painful sunlight, she squinted. Clenching and unclenching her fist, she tried to lift her heavy hand.
The ceiling came into view.Where am I?Vines hung above her. She turned her head.Ouch. It was like a vice, squeezing. There. A man, asleep in a chair. With long brown hair and a scar down his neck. Tall and large, hunched over uncomfortably. Worry etched on his face, even in slumber.
“Cas,” she rasped. Her voice. It hurt.
He sat up and looked at her. His golden eyes meeting hers, he sighed with relief and moved to the edge of the bed, hand stroking her face.
“Hi,” she said to him.
“Hi.” He smiled, holding back tears.
“What happened?” she asked, wincing at her dry throat.
He clutched her hand and stroked the back of it. “You were right. There was a man at the ball. He stabbed you. He was one of Deidamia’s soldiers. Sent to assassinate you.”
“Where is he?” she whispered.
“Dead,” he said, voice cold.
“Did you kill him?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She tried to rise, but he shook his head. “Rest.”
She looked around the room, eyes catching on Luna asleep near her feet. Titus was curled up in her fur.
“They haven’t left your side,” Casimir said.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Four days,” he answered.
She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and opened them again, catching him still watching her. “I could hear you sometimes. All of you, talking. But I couldn’t get to you. It was so cold and dark,” she rambled.
“It’s okay.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’re safe. It’s alright.”
