Page 57 of Eluvonia
Chapter 22
AERIS
Soft bedding cradles me as I stir awake, every muscle in my body screaming with sharp, searing aches. A groan escapes my lips—rough, low, like gravel rolling off my tongue—and I wince as I try to move. Before I can gather my bearings, a hand clamps over mine—warm, firm, and steady, like a tether pulling me back into the present. My eyes snap to the source.
Declan sits next to me, his broad shoulders hunched forward, worry carved into every line of his face. His usual confident smirk is nowhere to be found, replaced by something raw, something fragile. It doesn’t suit him.
“Aer, are you awake? What hurts? Can I get you anything?” His words tumble out in a rush, his voice tight, almost panicked.
I manage a weak chuckle, though it sends a jolt of pain shooting through my ribs. “Maybe let me answer one question before you fire off another,” I croak,my voice scratchy and dry, like I’ve swallowed sand.
He’s already moving, grabbing a cup of water from the bedside table. Gently, he slips an arm behind my shoulders, careful but firm as he helps me sit up. Even so, the movement pulls a sharp hiss from between my teeth.
“Slowly,” he murmurs, his fingers brushing lightly against my hair as he steadies me. His touch is oddly careful, as if I might break apart in his hands.
The water is blissfully cool as I sip it, soothing my parched throat. Once I’ve had enough, he eases me back down onto the bed, his hands lingering for a moment before retreating. It’s almost like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go.
“I’m okay, Dec,” I whisper “You saved me. I thought for sure Kaida would let me rot.”
Declan laughs, his voice low and warm. “I told you, you grew on him.”
Aeris scoffs, shaking her head. “It’s just because he doesn’t want to lose half his soul from this stupid bond. But thank you anyway.” I say softly, forcing a small, reassuring smile onto my face. Whether it’s for his benefit or mine, I’m not sure.
He exhales, the breath long and shaky, like he’s been holding it for hours. His shoulders relax—just barely—but the tension doesn’t leave his eyes. It’s strange seeing him like this, all the usual bravado stripped away. Vulnerable.
“You scared me,” he admits quietly, his gaze dropping to the floor. “When we found you—broken, bloody—I thought…” His voice cracks, and he doesn’t finish the sentence.
The silence stretches, heavy and uncomfortable. I want to say something, anything, to fill the void, but the words won’t come. Before I can muster a response, the door slams open, startling both of us.
Kaida strides in, his presence commanding as always. He leans against the door frame, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, I assume things didn’t go as planned with your father?” Declan asks casually, as if the last five minutes of tension hadn’t happened.
“Do they ever?” Kaida retorts, his tone dry as dust. His sharp gaze flicks between us, lingering on the way Declan’s still perched on the edge of the bed. “Did I interrupt something?” His smirk widens, smug and irritating.
Declan snorts, standing and pacing a few steps as if he needs to burn off energy. “You did, actually,” he says, his tone deliberately nonchalant. “But it’s not like Aeris is going anywhere. She’s got plenty of time to recover.” His gaze flicks to me, and his grin takes on a mischievous edge. “We’ll finish this later, Aer. When you’re better.”
I roll my eyes. “Finish what, exactly? Me trying to keep you from hovering like a worried mother hen?”
Declan winks at me, clearly unbothered. “Exactly.” He claps Kaida on the shoulder as he passes, his usual swagger returning with every step. “Try not to scare her too much, Kai,” he adds before disappearing out the door.
Kaida pushes off the door frame and strides toward me, his movements fluid and predatory, like a cat playing with its prey. He drags a chair closer to the bed and sits, resting his elbows on his knees as he studies me.
“How’s the patient?” he asks, his tone teasing but not unkind.
I shoot him a glare. “I’m fine, thank you. No thanks to you, probably.”
Kaida’s laugh is warm, low, and infuriatingly smug. “You sound as charming as ever, Aer. Good to know your sharptongue didn’t take a hit.”
I cross my arms—or at least, I try to, but the movement sends a fresh wave of pain through my side, and I wince despite myself. Kaida notices immediately, his smirk softening into something that almost looks like concern.
“Don’t push yourself,” he says, his voice quieter now. “You’re no good to anyone if you get up too soon and end up worse off.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Didn’t know you cared so much, Kaida.”
He leans back in the chair, his arms resting lazily across the backrest. “I don’t,” he says with a shrug, though his eyes betray him. They’re too focused, too intent. “But you’re too stubborn to listen to anyone else, so I figured I’d give it a shot.”
“Charming,” I mutter, but there’s no real heat behind it.
Kaida stands suddenly, his movements as sharp and deliberate as ever. He adjusts the blanket covering me, his hands quick and efficient. “You’re going to need your strength for what’s coming,” he says, his tone serious now.
