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Everyone shook their heads. I wasn’t angry, though. Instead, I felt only peace as I lay there in Elara’s arms, gazing up at her. Everything around her was being tuned out. It felt like I was ascending to some form of afterlife, and she was there to greet me.
“Don’t go,” she muttered. “Please…”
I shakily reached up, stroking her face.
“You’ve never looked more beautiful,” I whispered.
A hint of a smile arrived and left on her face. Her eyes then widened before shooting up to the vial.
“The flower oil! Draven, if you drink that, you can survive. Someone grab it.”
Sakkar ran to the vial.
“Wait,” I gasped. “I can’t do that, Elara. It’s far too dangerous. I’m not taking someone else’s life to save my own. What if it was yours?”
“I don’t care,” she sobbed. “I’ll give my life if it means I could save yours!”
“You’d… do that for me?” I whispered.
“Without hesitation. Draven, I love you!”
Those three words seemingly caused the pain to numb. I felt myself slipping away, accepting whatever came my way. I raised a hand to her face once more.
“Elara, I love you, too. You’ve made this last run quite the ride, my Starlight.”
She put her hand over mine, pressing her face into it. “Stop talking like that. You have to drink the serum, Draven. I can’t bear to watch you die!”
“It’s all right,” I said, my voice beginning to wither away. “I’m not going to take the risk. I’m happy to be here with you.”
Sakkar looked down on me. His face remained strong, but grief shone in his eyes. The others turned away, covering their mouths.
“Do me a favor, Sakkar,” I said with my remaining strength. “Look after Elara.”
“Yes, sir,” he gulped.
“You’ll be okay, Elara,” I whispered. “I will be, too. You don’t understand the vitality of the Vinduthi. It’s nothing a good nap won’t fix.”
Even as I said the words, I wasn’t entirely convinced it was true. Yes, the Vinduthi could recover from many things, but this might be pushing it.
I fought and fought to stay awake so Elara would not have to worry, but my eyes closed. As my world turned to black, I heard my name being called out. I felt nothing after that, slipping away from everything around me.
ELARA
Iwas running on no sleep, nerves keeping me awake as I sat by Draven’s bedside, watching his chest slowly rise and fall.
When he collapsed into my arms, I thought I saw his final breath. Sakkar brought the flower vial, determined to save him. Though tempted, I couldn’t let them use it against Draven’s wishes, fearing the consequences.
“He’s still breathing!” I cried. “We need to get him somewhere safe!”
I followed as they carried him to his quarters. Stabilizing him those first hours was a battle, but they succeeded. I remained as his nurse since, while they dealt with the scene and destroyed the perilous elixir.
The hours crawled, but he was recovering. I leaned over, kissing his forehead. I never felt such fear as when I thought him gone forever, not even facing my own death against Jocelyn.
Part of me couldn’t believe he survived such wounds. He lay there peacefully, machines beeping a steady rhythm beside him. I didn’t ask where the black market medical tech came from.
I breathed deep with relief, stroking his forehead.
Just then, he stirred with a soft groan, eyes fluttering open. I leaned forward intently as awareness returned to his gaze. He smiled, seeing me.
