Page 11 of Embers to Flames

“Please do not feel the need to hide from me. I’m only here as a friend….” He pauses.

I slowly stand up and stride towards the door. Lifting the latch to pull it open. Theo stands before me, his wings tucked in. He stares at me in shock and amazement when he looks at my face. The blood trickling from my nose has started to crust over. A lump is forming on the right side of my forehead, accompanied by a dark bruise. I still use my left hand to clutch my ribcage on the right. The only wound that I don’t seem to have after the events of this evening, is a burn where my hand had grasped hold of those hot coals. I don’t have the energy to even try and understand it.

“By the God’s… what did he do to you?” He reaches for me and puts a hand on either of my shoulders. A sense of calm rushes over me at the feeling of his touch.

“I’m fine… truly.” I try to sound reassuring. I know he can see right through my lie.

“Nonsense, sit down. Let me have a look at you in the light.” He nudges me towards the fireplace. “I can fix this. Here, sit down.” He pulls the chair over. I’m too tired to protest as he edges me into it and then kneels down in front of me, so our eyes are level, and gently brushes back the strands of hair that have fallen into my face. I wince as his fingers graze over the bruise on my cheekbone. He pulls out a vial of liquid from his pocket.

“This won’t hurt. It’s just a tonic gel. By morning, you’ll never even know there was a wound here.” He says as he applies the liquid carefully with his fingertips, the coolness brings relief to my throbbing skin.

I grimace at the pain in my side. “I hope you have something in that pocket for my ribs.”

“No, but I do have a little thing I like to call, magic.” He twiddles his fingers in the air with a proud smirk across his face. “Can’t tell anyone though.” He winks.

“I’ll promise you anything to just take away the pain.” I reply sheepishly.

With curved raised eyebrows he starkly responds, “Anything?” I bite my bottom lip, and he gives me a dimpled grin. “Just relax, close your eyes and it will all go away.”

I flinch at the sound of it. What he had just said. “What did you say?” I ask, needing him to repeat it.

“I said… close your eyes Rosanhi. Close your eyes and it will all go away.”

It can’t be… my dream. The mystery man from my dream?

No. It must be a coincidence.

I sit, staring at him. Unable to do as he has asked.

He chuckles, “Or don’t, but you can’t freak out.”

He places a hand over my right side. A glowing white-yellow light emits from his palm and a warming sensation flows over the injured area of my body. Suddenly, the pain I had felt just moments ago was now nearly gone. I inhale deeply. A slight twinge remains, but the sharp agony has disappeared.

“How did you…” I start.

“I told you,” He responds to my question before I can even finish it. “Magic.”

“Can all Elves do that?” I know I shouldn’t be asking. Elves are so secretive, but he replies as if he has known me and trusted me for years.

“No, not all. Just like not all Elves have wings. I’m special I guess.” He shrugs his shoulders before standing to his feet, reaching out a hand to me to help me to mine as well. “If there is nothing else…” He starts before trailing off as he turns around and notices the large table still on its side. He goes over to it and picks it up as if it weighed nothing at all. My mouth gapes open as I watch him effortlessly move the table back to the center of the room.

I finally manage to speak, but the only thing I can think of to say is, “Thank you for… well for everything. You didn’t have to come, but I’m glad you did.”

“I can stay, if you want me to?” He says kindly.

“No, no, you really don’t have to. I’m tired. I think I’ll just go to bed. I have a lot to process and figure out before tomorrow.”

“How about I come by in the morning, give you a ride to my uncle’s?” He winks and motions back towards the wings with his thumb.

I offer a smirk back, “you can’talwaysbe my ride…”I pause, thinking and then take a deep breath, “… alright fine. It is late though so I guess you can stay. But you sleep out here. I’ll make you up a cot.”

“I’ll be your personal guard for the night.” He puts up his hands in an innocent manner and winks at me.

“I don’t particularly need a guard, or haven’t you met Eulee?” I point over at her and let out a giggle. She’s been quiet this whole time. Silently observing Theo and me. He walks over to her and gets down on her level. They stare into each other’s eyes briefly before she finally licks his face. I’m astounded.

“Wow. She doesn’t normally take to men so easily.”

“You’re forgetting, my sweet. I’m not a normal man.”

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