Page 49 of A Whisper of Cinders

I blink.

The scene changes, two people stand inside my room. Do I know them? Someone leans in front of me until our eyes are at the same level, a shade of green I have never seen before, as if they don’t know what colour to pick. Lips move, a hushed tone, but I only hear the silence and the wild beating of my heart. I can’t bring myself to react. I don’t even blink when fingers snap in front of me.

The figure, a man I presume, moves away. The lower voice even more rushed than before, the other remaining calm.

I blink.

The male with the swirling green eyes now lays next to me, our heads at the same level. Our body’s don't touch, yet I feel he’s near in a somewhat comforting way. It takes a while for me to shift my focus from the room to the familiar, handsome face in front of me. Once I do, I can’t really make out the emotion written there. It makes his eyes darker. It looks like worry. Why is he worried?

I blink.

So does he.

His full lips move again, only to say one word. Or no, not a word. A name. My name. “Maily.”

Maybe it is because I know what he’s saying, but the endnote of it reaches my ears. Hope lights up his eyes, bringing back some of the brighter green. “…hear me?”

I blink.

“Are…hurt?”

Physically?

“No.” My lips form the word, but no sound comes out.

Mentally?

Completely shattered.

He closes his eyes a little longer. “Good. That is good.”

Is it though?

“Do you mind if I pick you up?”

If I would say yes, he would leave me here, probably stay with me, and part of me wants that. To lay on the floor until a hole appears and I can sink through it.

I take in the face in front of me. Aramis. I don’t know what I did to deserve his kindness, but he is here. Worried. About me.

I shake my head once.

He explains where his hands will touch me, reading my face to see if I agree. I think I can handle physical contact for a couple of seconds. And again, he is kind. He is good. He won’t hurt me.

Aramis counts down from three to one and places a hand underneath my neck and knees. I’m lifted with ease, the warmth of his skin seeping into my cold bones.

He keeps as much distance as possible without dropping me and walks towards the bed, gently laying me down and tucking me in. As soon as I’m comfortable to his liking, he steps away from the bed. It’s only then I remember there is someone else in the room. Someone I now recognise as Mrs Delalune.

“I am so sorry, darling. I know today was hard for you.”

But that is the thing, isn’t it? It really wasn’t. I was enjoying myself so much that at times, I forgot all that had happened and yes, my emotions rose every now and then, but overall, I was having so much fun, and it feels so wrong.

“Please keep in mind we only have good intentions at heart and will do everything in our power to make you happy. You are safe here and protected. I promise.” Even if I only saw her briefly once before, I know her words ring true. I feel it deep down. “Is it okay if Aramis does a quick examination?”

I hesitate, it’s really not necessary. I’m fine, only emotionally and mentally drained. But again, physically I’m fine.

“I can also send a word to Althea, if that would be more comfortable for you.” Mrs Delalune says, taking my silence for something else.

I shake my head. “It’s okay,” I whisper-speak.