Broken Prince (The Broken Ones) (25 page)

Chapter 31:

Life and Death

"Your leg is doing better?" She sniffled and
took a slow breath. Pushing away thoughts of what she wouldn’t have and what she
would lose, helped calm her tears. If she concentrated on her boys, she could
get through this. They mattered the most.

"Yes, it is." He shifted awkwardly.

Her chest tightened and more tears threatened. The
foul air pressed down around her and she wrinkled her nose. "Is there a
window?"

Nodding slightly, he released her hand and moved
toward the head of the bed. "Prince closed it. The light hurt your eyes
with your fever. We had some rain in the night as well." He removed a
short wood bar and then pulled open the shutters. Fresh, crisp air immediately
flowed into the room, bringing in the cleansing scent of rain. Little extra
light came in and she remembered Prince saying it had almost been a dawn when she
woke up.

Bo turned, pulling a small wooden chair by the wall
close to the bed. Sitting, he took her hand once more and gave it a quick
squeeze.

She relaxed against her pillow, still amazed she had
one, and a bed! The softness beneath her, the memories of home it invoked,
brought her strange comfort and peace. "Have the Were been treating you
well?"

"They have. It’s nice here. Quiet."

She smiled softly. "Tell me."

Bo spoke of the small settlement, describing the few
buildings, the families living there. "The children follow me and Kei
around when we’re out. They’ve not seen a human or Fey before. They’re quite…cute."

"The Elf doesn’t amuse them?"

"The Elf has lost his mind," Bo said flatly.
"Everyone is thankful he has no magic right now." At her confused
look the irritation on his face faded away and he sighed. "He wants you
healed, but everything they’ve tried has failed. And they have tried everything,
Aro. Everything."

Lips quivering, she looked away, trying to ignore the
rising pain those words caused.

"Perhaps being a prince, he’s just not used to
not getting his way. He’s quite a temper we’ve not seen before, I’ll say that
much."

"He’ll be fine," she whispered, trying to
convince herself. "I suppose they aren’t used to death. Not like we are."

"True." Bo regarded her silently for a
moment. "Or he loves you more than you think," he said softly.

"I know he does." It was hard to speak. "Just
not…" She didn’t finish. Being reminded Prince wasn’t in love with her
hurt too much. She wished Bo would stop bringing it up.

Relief suddenly calmed her pain. At least Prince truly
hadn’t fallen in love with her. Not like she loved him. She’d seen what losing
someone you loved could do with Kei’s reaction, and he only loved her like a
sister. The pain she still felt for her own family’s loss reminded her Kei
would hurt for some time. At least Prince wouldn’t have to deal with her death
to such an extent.

It struck her then how selfish and stupid she had
been, how blind. She refused to bind with Kei because she was mortal, yet she’d
expected Prince to love her. At least he didn’t. She wouldn’t hurt him.

"He’ll be fine," she said again.

Bo grimaced and Garen whined again. "He’s calling
for us now." She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "For some reason
he’s trying to find Kei and he’s not answering. He wants us to help."

She tried to raise her hand to shoo them out and
failed. "Go. I’ll rest."

He hesitated a moment and then winced.

Garen snorted, his ears flicking back in annoyance.
He’s
persistent
.

Giving her hand a squeeze, Bo stood. "We won’t be
long. Don’t…"

"I’ll stay awake," she promised, forcing a
small smile. Watching him leave, her smile turned genuine. Bo reminded her so
much of her brothers. Often quiet, always there when she needed them, there
even when she didn’t know she did. Yet still he had his boisterous side, his
quick jokes and loud laughter. Bo made her smile.

Garen looked back at her a moment before going out the
door and Bo closed it behind him. She wished she’d gotten to know him better.
He’d really bonded with Bo, and she felt so happy for that, especially since
he’d lost his closest friend John. Garen had remained quiet and distant with
her though. She wasn’t sure if it was because he thought her his alpha or for
some other reason. They’d only had a few weeks together. Regret pulled at her
heart again. Time was something she’d run out of.

The future was something she’d tried very hard not to
think about during the last year. Getting Prince home had been all that
mattered. Afterward…she hadn’t wanted to think about a time without him. She’d
lost so many of her boys, her brothers, Kendric, Avery, John. Prince wasn’t
dying, but she’d never see him again. To her, it was much the same thing.

She watched the increasing light play long the wall in
front of her for a while. At least it didn’t hurt her head. Her body remained
heavy and numb. Though she could move her head from side to side, she couldn’t
lift it. Concentrating, she worked with her fingers and toes until they
wiggled. She even managed to gain more control to turn her wrists and ankles.
Stopping there, she didn’t try for more. The numbness kept the pain away. She
had no idea how long the allorum would work and didn’t want her efforts to
bring the fever and pain back more quickly.

The door creaked open and she smiled.

A woman walked in, closing the door behind her with a
push of her foot. Turning, she then froze and stared, her eyes quickly darting
around the room.

"Good morning," Aro said softly.

The woman paused, adjusting the jug and pile of cloth
in her hands. "Good morning, Arowyn." Moving once more, she set
everything on the table and then cast her a sidelong look. "This is the
first time I’ve come and you’ve been alone."

Aro turned her head to regard the woman. Obviously a Were,
the woman’s height and toned body still surprised her. Short brown hair framed
a pretty face and deep brown eyes watched her carefully.

"Are you thirsty?" Aro nodded and the woman
poured fresh water from the new jug. She paused a moment, regarding the clay
bottle on the table. "They gave you allorum."

Aro nodded again, and then concentrated on not making
a mess as the woman raised her head slightly and tipped the cup to her lips.

"Rhee-En wants to give me more," she said,
once settled again.

The woman let out a deep, sad sigh. "It would be
the most peaceful way."

"That’s what he said." Aro looked away.
Talking of her upcoming death seemed too strange. "Prince doesn’t want to,"
she said into the growing silence.

"Prince? Ah, Prince Shael. Yes, he has been
quite…adamant you will recover."

Aro smiled at the way the woman said his name. She’d
heard it so few times. The Were pronounced it Shay-Elle, though prince had said
it to her more softly, with less emphasis on the El.

The woman busied herself with changing the sheets.
Given the muscles on the woman’s arms, she wasn’t surprised how easily she
shifted her around to get to the bottom one.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Why are the Were helping me?"

The woman raised her eyebrows. "Why wouldn’t we?"

"I’m human," Aro stated.

"Not a normal one though," she said with a
smile. She shrugged. "We help for many reasons. The prince asked it of us.
Nor would be turn down someone in need, even if you are mortal." She
paused for a moment, adjusting the pillow. "Our Alpha is quite taken with
you. A human girl who mind speaks like an Elf, runs with Fey and Were, and has
gained the attention of a Dragos. I heard also, how you fought the Vor." She
flashed a feral grin. "You have a fighter’s heart.""

Heat rose to her cheeks. She’d never really thought
about how different she’d become.

The woman chuckled as she shook out a new sheet. "Despite
your illness, you are a pretty little thing. It doesn’t surprise me the men
jump over themselves to help you. It seems men are men, no matter what race
they are."

"It’s not like that," Aro protested.

The woman tucked the sheet around her. "Isn’t it?"

Her mouth opened and closed as words escaped her. "They’re
my family," she finally muttered.

"More water?"

"Yes, please." Happy the topic had dropped, she
managed to drink another half a glass.

"I would offer broth, and change your bandage as
well, but Prince Shael is out harassing everyone in full force again, so I
imagine he has some new idea. I will wait for now."

"Thank you, for everything."

She nodded and gathered up the dirty sheets. Heading
for the door, she paused before leaving. "I do hope they can save you."

As the door closed Aro whispered, "Me, too."

* * *

After the woman left, she heard muted voices outside
the door. With a curse under her breath, she realized she’d never asked the
woman’s name. Paul would swat her upside the head for such bad manners.

The voices stopped and the door opened. Relieved not
to be alone again, another smile appeared on her face. For being so close to
death, she certainly smiled a lot. The thought brought forth a weak laugh.

Prince raised his eyebrows. "You are in good
spirits, considering."

His words sobered her immediately and she frowned at
him in annoyance. "Be nice to the dying girl."

Slamming the door closed, he strode toward her, his
eyes flashing in anger. "Do not say such things!"

"I’ll say what I want," she snapped. "You
need to be more polite. Everyone is talking about you being an arrogant,
demanding–"

"Enough, Arowyn," he said softly, raising
his hand as the anger drained out of him. "I am sorry." Pulling the
chair back to the side of the bed, he sat. "This is…difficult for me."

Her own anger died and she looked away from the
despair on his face. "I know. I’m sorry, too." The following silence
weighed heavily on her. "Prince, can you promise me something?"

"Of course," he answered quickly.

"Try not to forget me."

A long silence met her words as he struggled to stay
composed, his eyes closing for a moment, fingers rising to his lips. Finally he
straightened and his eyes met hers again. "You are rather unforgettable,
my Arowyn." He leaned forward and smiled down at her softly. "But I am
going to save you this time, and then we will be even."

"You have this annoying ability to say the
perfect thing and then ruin it by still talking."

A smile twisted his lips. "Do I now?"

"Yes," she grumbled. "You do. Quite
often, in fact." She changed the subject. "Did you find Kei?"

"Yes," he answered finally." He paused,
as if about to say more, but changed his mind. "I have sent them all out,
and some of the Were as well, to find the Fey you healed."

She stared at him dumbfounded. "Why?"

"Your comment earlier gave me an idea. I am
hoping they will agree to give you their power again. Along with Kei’s, I hope
it will be enough to heal you."

"But I don’t know how to heal. I never have
before when I had power in me."

"I will teach you, while they search."

"Is it that easy to learn?"

"You have incentive, do you not?"

She scowled at him. "I’m human. I’m sure you
haven’t forgotten that," she said bitterly.

"No, I have not." He stared at her for a
long moment, his blue eyes tired and sad. "We are running out of options,
however. You are special. You do things you should not be able to. I am hopeful
this will work." He gently picked up her hand and held it in both of his. "Now
we must begin. We do not have much time."

"Prince, I don’t–"

"Please." His eyes searched hers. "Please,
Arowyn. Do this for me. I will beg you if I must."

Tears burned her eyes and she fought to keep her suddenly
quivering lips still. Her prince did not beg. That he would say such a thing…

"I will try," she finally managed to
whisper.

"Thank you," he said solemnly. "Now,
enter your mind. I will join you there."

When she opened her eyes a relieved smile lit her face
to find she stood on her own and, in her mind at least, seemed well and whole.

Her fortress remained tall and strong. Turning, she
took in the still barren landscape and dark sky. She tilted her head up, her
eyebrows rising in surprise. The rolling clouds had disappeared and though
still dark, the sky wasn’t near as dismal as it used to be. She didn’t
understand why they would change now when she was so close to death. Perhaps
because she finally understood so many things.

Looking to the side she saw Prince staring at her, a
faint smile of relief upon his face.