44 Let Me Protect You (2/2)

”She fell ill from overwork and died of a fever. I wasn't aware of the conditions of some of the maids then so I had no idea of the problem before it was too late. I had kept track of Julen from birth, quietly and perhaps if I had paid more attention I could have stopped the circumstances that lead to her death. It is just one more thing that weighs on my soul.”

She kissed his jaw, wanting to comfort him as much as her own body would let her. He touched her face, tracing a line with his fingers down her neck. He should spend more time with Haribit and I then and it is not your fault, you have cared for him even so, she wrote.

”Perhaps one day you'll be able to convince me that's true. I will have him come to your apartments more, when he is not needed in my office,” he said.

A knock at the door and he pulled away, turning as it opened, a kitchen maid walked in, a bowl filled with a strange off white substance. She glanced back Arren who returned her look of confusion with a bemused smile.

He stood, taking the bowl from the maid with a spoon. The woman bowed nervously and exited the room, quickly.

He turned as the door shut, sitting on the bed. ”This is very cold, Isilla. You'll have to eat it slowly.”

She frowned at the strange food before opening her mouth, to accept the offered spoon.

Her eyes widened as it melted on her tongue, sweet and creamy. She swallowed, the coolness spreading to her throat. He held another spoonful up for her which she accepted eagerly. Before long she frowned again, the bowl empty.

”So you like ice cream,” he smiled at her.

She nodded, the bowl the first thing she had eaten in its entirety since she had fallen ill.

He bent, pressing his lips against hers, his tongue sliding between them to taste her, hot in her cold mouth. ”You didn't leave me any,” he chastised as he pulled away.

He stilled, shifting from the bed, gently pulling away from her.

A breath later, a knock sounded on the door.

She sunk back into the bed, pulling the blanket up to cover her body as he stood, crossing the room, leaving the bowl on the table, to open the door, his shadows brushing over her face for a moment before following him.

”Who gave you entry to the Princess' room?” Arren asked the man in the doorway.

”I am very sorry my Lord. Prince Lehan has woken and he is requesting the presence of both you and your wife,” the man spoke quickly, clearly frightened of him.

”Tell my brother I will be there shortly,” Arren responded curtly.

”And the Princess?” the man asked.

”Tell my brother I will be there shortly,” he repeated before closing the door.

Isilla found her book, tangled in the blankets. I should go too, she wrote as a series of small coughs erupted from her, her pen carrying across the page, the letters jagged.

He touched her hand, stopping her.

”My dearest, my light, I already told you that I would protect you from whatever came of this. Let me protect you. You need your rest. If you were well I would not let you come and I will most certainly not let you attempt it in your state.”

He held out his hand, the shadows spinning, building in his palm. One of the winged creatures that she had seen in his office appeared and immediately leaped into the air, floating along the ceiling.

”My eyes,” he explained as he buttoned his shirt and reached for his jacket. ” I will send Haribit and Ilun back here to care for you while I am away. I don't know how long he will keep me but I will be back tonight to stay with you as I did last night.”

She pointed to her wide bed and he smiled. ”If you want me in your bed then you'll have to get better.”

She parted her lips, tilting her head, questioning.

He turned his eyes away from her, speaking quickly, ”I am nervous but I am a man and you are my wife. I want all that goes with it. But not until you are well.”

She blushed from more than fever as he pressed his lips against hers briefly before turning to leave, closing the door behind himself. The creature he had left swooped down and landed on her pillow as she laid her head down. It played gently with her hair as she waited for Haribit and Ilun to return.

Later that night, well past the setting of the sun she woke, her blankets moving as someone slid into her bed, pulling her back against their chest. She tried to move, her body heavy from medicine and exhaustion, responding slowly.

”Hush, dearest,” Arren's voice, low and close, stilled her.

My prince, my love, she thought as she drifted back into a deep sleep.