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Something above watches over me, a fleeting orb. It glows red and moves about violently as though filled with rage.
Despite its erratic behavior, I get the sense its purpose is to protect me. Again though, things slowly brighten until I see nothing but white.
After a few moments, my vision slowly returns. Becoming clearer before me is Nexus’ face in mine. He realizes I am awake, purring as he bunts me excitedly.
“Hey there, Nexus,” I whisper weakly, running a feeble hand over his head.
From the corner of my eye is a shifting figure. I turn to see Valkus hunched back into a chair by the bedside, blinking his eyes open.
“Valkus? What happened?” I ask. “Why am I here? Are you alright?”
“Althia, you’re awake. Thank the gods.”
He rubs his eyes as he leans forward. Dark circles are heavily apparent on his face as he casts a studious look over me. I shakily prop myself up, leaning back against the bed frame.
“You look like you’ve barely slept,” I say.
“I didn’t sleep much at all, I was up almost all night. What time is it even?” he replies, checking his watch.
“Why? What happened?” I ask, suddenly aware of how I lost grasp of everything last night. “I remember feeling ill after dinner, but nothing after that.”
“You passed out, Althia,” says Valkus, standing up. He runs a hand over his tired face. “You stopped breathing soon after that.”
“I don’t understand.” I am alarmed at his revelation. “I stopped breathing? I was dying?”
“That’s what it looked like. It’s as mysterious to me as it is to you, so I’m not sure exactly what happened. Before we go any further, how do you feel now?”
“Not too great. It feels like I’ve been run over by a carriage.”
“I can help with that.”
“Now’s not the time,” I complain.
“I’m not talking about fucking you,” he snaps. “Is that really what you think of me as? Some sex-starved animal?”
The tension in the air freezes everything, including my desire to talk.
“I’m sorry,” he says, pinching his nose. “I’m just on edge after what happened to you last night, and I’m exhausted, too.”
“I apologize for presuming you just wanted to fuck. Sounds like we both had a bad night in the end. Why don’t you take some more rest? You can do with more sleep, and I’m sure I’ll feel better soon.”
“It’s no problem at all. Don’t worry about me.”
He returns to my side, laying a gentle hand on my head. Closing his eyes, he begins muttering to himself as a wave of relaxation washes over me. The same floating sensation from before comes back to me.
I close my eyes, relishing in the newfound energy bestowed upon me by Valkus as he rids me of my symptoms. I marvel at his ability to harness his magic in his current state.
It slowly comes to an end as we both open our eyes, our gazes meeting one another’s. For the first time since waking up, Valkus smiles.
“How are you feeling now?” he asks.
“A bit better. I’m still tired.”
“That’s normal. Some more rest is needed, and then you’ll be back to your regular self in a few hours.”
He takes a few moments to check on my body. As he does so, I’m hit with a choking feeling of just how much I love this man.
I hold back my tears as I think about him panicking over me, staying up all night to see if I would survive.
