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I must smell bad.
“Want to try to eat something today, pretty bird?”
He puts something to my lips, but I can’t eat. I can only focus on Gael’s face and the numbness, the only thing keeping me sane.
“When will we know it hasn’t worked?” someone whispers behind me.
“It’s been?—”
“The healer said we’d know if it didn’t work,” I whisper, voice hoarse and dry. And thin. Still so thin.
Three demons rush to me, kneeling by my sides.
I block out their words. I have to focus on Gael. On the numb.
They leave, and that becomes easier.
More water.
More rotating demons at my side.
And then…
A twitch.
One small movement in one joint of one finger. I stare at Gael’s hand, and when it happens again, I know I didn’t hallucinate it.
“I need a brush,” I murmur to the demon next to me.
“Dove?” There’s so much hope in that voice, in my name.
“A brush. And… hygiene things.”
“She’s back!” The demon’s voice grows more distant, but he soon returns with a hairbrush that I rake quickly through my hair.
Then a bowl of warm water and a cloth.
I wash my face.
And a toothbrush.
I brush my teeth and spit into the bowl of water.
I do it all in front of Gael, never taking my eyes off him.
They bring clothes, and I change while sitting vigil.
I settle in to wait as long as it takes. But now, at least I won’t look or smell like I died too.
Days pass, but now I’m aware of them.
I’m eating. I’m changing my clothes regularly.
But I can’t come all the way back. Not yet.
Not until I see Gael’s clear eyes once more.
It happens early one morning, when all the heirs are still asleep. They stopped sitting with me around the clock after I changed my clothes the second time.
