The Prince of Ilios

Ninety-Four

Ellora's heart beat in her ears. Something was smothering her to death. She could not feel like she could breathe and she could not cough. Her back was on fire and her body ached. She tried desperately to open her eyes, but she could not. In a moment something warm like the sun enveloped her, all of the pain eased to a manageable level and the smothering sensation was over again. She relaxed as much as she could. The muffled voices became more clear.

"I am going."

"You are pregnant!"

Ava and River were bickering again. Wait, pregnant! "What do you mean pregnant?" Her voice sounded gravelly and dry. Her hand lifted to her face to rub the sleep from her eyes. She squinted beside her as the girls squealed in excitement and rushed over to where she was lying. Nicola's eyes snapped open, shock covering all of his features, "You're awake!" They all cried in unison.

A cacophony ensued as Ava rushed to get Alyn and Nadia. River sat at the foot of her bed, half smiling with glistening tears.

Nicola snapped out of his shock, and took her face between his hands. Her beautiful blue eyes were teaming with life. He drew her nearer, so happy for her to be conscious again. Tilting her head up to meet his, he kissed her, as though he were in a desert. His lips molded to hers in an unrestrained dance of joy and longing. His fingertips felt the warmth of a blush spread across her face as he pulled her bottom lip into his mouth. Soft and firm he led until he felt her freeze and stiffen. He backed away to look at her. Maybe he made a mistake.

She wiped her swollen lips quickly and looked away, her jaw clenched. When she turned back to him those beautiful pools of life looked like they wanted to strangle him, then her face went helplessly blank as she asked him, "Why are you here, Prince?"

Nicola's heart dropped to his stomach, "What?"

"You left. Without a single scribble of a letter..." She wrenched her hand away from his. The smothering feeling was back, and she could barely breath, her hands trembled with the pain. But she'd rather the pain than pretend that they were close. Rather than pretend like the past never happened. The cutting she felt from his callousness was almost on the same level anyway.

"I..." He blinked.

It was at that moment that Nadia and Alyn came through the door, Tiara and Nissa right behind them.

Alyn's face lit with joy, as he rushed forward to embrace her, "You're alive!" He let go as she flinched, "Sorry." He searched her face. Her hardened eyes turned soft as she smiled sadly at him.

Nadia pushed at him. The petite girl could barely move the burly brick wall, "Move, I need to check her." Alyn gave her a space, but stayed by the headboard of the bed. Nadia sat down on the stool, and checked Ellora's pulse, "Hi, Princess, I'm Nadia, Nicola's sister."

Ellora nodded, "Just Ellora, please." She shuddered at the title, remembering how enraged Cyrus would get when people did not use them, "I've had enough of the titles."

Nissa and Tiara smiled and nodded at her from the distance. Nissa stepped forward first, her red hair bobbing in wild curls behind her. She blew an unmanageable one from her eye, "We were just about to be leaving. I am so glad we got to see you."

"Leaving? Where are you going?" Ellora asked as Nadia prodded her to breath, while she listened to her chest.

"Home." Tiara smiled, "Thanks to you."

"Yes, we owe you." Nissa piped up.

Ellora did not really know how to take what they were saying, but did not want to muddle their goodbyes and good intentions by arguing, "I wish I could have done it sooner." She took in a breath, "I wish you all the best in your futures. Please write to me, and make sure to visit."

Nissa raised a brow, nudging Ava as she stepped into the room with a tray of tea, "I hear the Southern Isles are beautiful this time of year."

Tiara and Nissa laughed as they waved their goodbyes and left in their carriage.

Nadia watched Ellora's face twist as she leaned back against the headboard tiredly, "Where is Nicola? He was supposed to stay with you." She glanced around the room, but it was only Alyn at the headboard, River in a chair by the window and Ava serving the tea.

"I don't want to see him." Ellora looked down at her hands, not wanting to take in any of the reactions around her. She couldn't bear whatever expectations she would read on them.

Nadia pressed, "You must be in great pain, please, let me find him." She turned to leave.

Ellora grasped her wrist a little harder than she intended, "No."

Nadia nodded, and went back to work, "Fine, but I need to check your back. I put stitches in it two days ago and need to see if they have healed properly."

Ellora grimaced, and looked at River.

River nodded, "Nadia has done an excellent job taking care of you. She has surpassed by medical knowledge, and I am certain she will do her very best."

Nadia smiled, a small blush lighting her cheeks, "I wouldn't say surpassed, but I will try my best."

Ellora leaned forward and exposed her back to the air. It wasn't much of a surprise to Ellora that the curse was still there. Nothing about Cyrus had ever been easy, and she had always figured he would never tie the curse to his own life. It would be too risky for the snake that he was. She hugged her knees tightly as Nadia peeled away the bandage. She clamped her mouth shut so as not to whimper.

"The stitches have healed and they need to come out." Nadia announced tenuously. She nodded to Ava to notify Nicola that they would be needing him soon, "I believe it will hurt a great deal."

"Do it if it must be done." Her voice became harsh and cold. She would make it through this without Nicola's help, just like she made it through the past (two) months. Her knuckles went white against her knees at the first stitch as she failed not to cry out.

Nicola rushed in, he crossed the room in two strides and sat at the foot of her bed reaching for her hand, "Ellora, let me help."

Ellora stared daggers at him, "I'd rather... chew glass."

He stilled. She cried out again, her hands grasping at the sheets. His own face twisted. He could only feel a fraction of the pain she was feeling, but it was enough. He could not sit by and watch. He wrapped his arms around her and held her. She stiffened at first, and then relaxed slightly. After a few more stitches he felt her crying into her hands.

"Done." Nadia said softly. She went over to River awkwardly, "I guess it is your turn next..."

River smiled, "Let's go to the other room, they will work it out."

Ava tugged at Alyn's hand, "I need to go to the market for supplies, let's go."

Alyn hesitated only for a moment, and then followed her out.