Death's Redemption

Chapter 7: Am I Dreaming?

"Here again?" Neltharion asked in a dismal tone while waving a claw. He rested his metallic jaw in his palm as he stared at Alexstrasza's crimson face. He extended his legs out and plopped them on the edge of the lava pool he was currently in. Alexstrasza swatted his legs away, careful to avoid any of the molten liquid on them, causing his head to fall into the lava suddenly. Neltharion could hear a distorted giggle from his only company before he raised his head, wearing an annoyed expression.

"Yes, I'm almost done healing you, but there's... one last thing I need to heal." Neltharion shifted nervously, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

"I'm sure it will heal on its own. There's no need for you to heal it."

"You're still leaking your—might I remind you, deadly—blood around. You can't be starting random fires everywhere you go." Neltharion didn't move. "Really?" He looked away, shifting his gaze away from her's. She let out a sigh while rolling her eyes. "The mighty Earth-Warder can't handle someone healing a wound by their groin?" she mocked. It surprised her, even more, when he didn't return with some dumb—although what she had to admit was usually a funny—quip or snark comment. Was he really that ashamed? "I'm sorry, but come on, Nel. Do you really not want me to heal you?"

"I-It's not that. It's... my pride."

"Just because I'm healing you doesn't make you weak."

"I know, but you're a female, an attrac—" Neltharion replied before being cut off.

"Ok, ok. If it's that big of a deal to you," she started, "then I can just heal you generally. It should help your wound, but you'll have to take it easy for the rest of the day." He nodded and climbed out of his tub, dripping small amounts of now-cooling lava on the ground. Alexstrasza closed her eyes and channeled her powers over life before releasing her flames. She opened her eyes, watching the flames flicker on Neltharion's scales and spread over his entire body in an ancient dance. He seemed to instantly relax as the fire went down to his groin, partially sealing his wound.

"Thank you," he said while flexing each of his hindlegs, the flames dissipating from his scales.

"You're welcome." Neltharion shook himself like a dog, sending drops of fiery liquid everywhere.

"Careful!" Alexstrasza yelped, violently whipping one of her front claws to get the lava droplet off. He rushed up to her and licked the small drop with his tongue, quickly absorbing the heat. Her brief anger melted away from the warmth of the lingual muscle that stopped the burning. She immediately blushed, her cheeks becoming a slightly lighter shade of red than usual. Before his eyes could reach her face, she tried to silence her blush.

"Anyway, our siblings are waiting for us," she said, quickly moving on from her noticed display.

"Oh?" Neltharion responded.

"They wanted to see you now that you're in good health." She gestured towards the exit of the oversized cave and started to walk towards it. The Earth-Warder followed suit, going to the side of the Dragon Queen. He waited for her to extend her wings before he opened his own. She took flight, and he followed her towards Wyrmrest.

When they arrived, Neltharion found three humanoid figures on the temple's upper level, all of them looking at him. The two shifted to their according forms, approaching the other Aspects. Alexstrasza went forward, addressing the others.

"After a couple, long, months, our brother has been restored to his former glory." He let out a slight snort at that.

"Almost. Besides the metal jaw and various other... issues, I still have an injury, but it should heal by the end of the day, as long as I take it easy." A dark talon pointed towards the Life-Binder. "Doctor's orders."