Sharp Flowers

Part 23

Heaviness weighs me down like a stone cast into cold waters, left to sink to the bottom. Am I asleep? If so, I think I'd like to be awake. I start with a deep breath and then wiggle my toes. First, I notice the light streaming through but a crack in the curtains. Then there's the smell of something medicinal and herbal overwhelming the faint trace of perfumes. My mouth feels dry, and there's a dull ache in my shoulder. Oh, I was injured yesterday, wasn't I? I go to sit up, but a pain grabs hold of my arm, and sinks its claws into my muscles in an iron-tight grip. Even when I flop back down, the painful shakes me. I gasp in frustration and shock. However, the pain is confirmation I must be alive.

"You're a damn fool," Peter swears from across the room, "I warned you not to use the guardian's power," Peter snaps, "You are very fortunate to be in stable condition," he adds.

"I still feel like garbage," I complain.

"You used the power of the guardian, nearly go yourself killed losing any rational thought. However, it's probably what healed your wound. That's probably why you feel so exhausted. You've exhausted so much energy after all," Peter explains, "That and you did lose a lot of blood," he adds.

"That same power probably saved me," I suggest.

"Likely, yes. But you're missing the point," Peter complains.

"Well, go on then. Spit it out," I urge him on.

"You used a powerful spirit to gain strength for destruction," Peter begins.

"Against the people trying to destroy our very livelihood," I point out.

"And you don't fight a fire with another fire!" Peter scoffs at me, "Raven, you lost control, and it almost got you killed. This isn't something you can allow to slip out of your grasp," Peter insists.

"I was doing what needed to do. I want to win," I insist and Peter sighs. He shakes his head like he's disappointed. It burns in my stomach, that I might have upset my brother, but my convictions are firm. "Where are we now?" I wonder.

"The castle," he states, and I frown at him.

"The castle. We were gaining ground," I recall.

"That is correct. We were gaining ground for some times. And then we lost some ground," Peter corrects me. "We retreated with heavy losses. We've lost ground. Soldiers are returning from sea. They sunk our fleets," Peter explains, "I- we almost lost you as well," he murmurs.

"I wasn't going to die," I assure him.

"Enough. I told you not to use that, and you did. Don't be so ignorant that you waste your life so recklessly," Peter snaps off at me before he heads for the door. I wait for him to leave and sigh. Goodness, he could have at least helped me up. There's no way he thought I was going to just lie here and stare at the ceiling. Come on, Raven. I take a deep breath and roll over, forcing myself to my knees. My body aches, but I can't bear just lying there. Upon leaving the bed, I find my arm's been bandaged. I stumble for the standard room, following the sounds of soft plucking music.

"Raven, goodness, should you be up?" Felicity gasps at me, nearly dropping her instrument. I give a one-shouldered shrug.

"I couldn't just lie around," I brush it off.

"How are you?" Elfie chimes in. I join them, seating in a circle on plush pillows, a plate of snacks in the middle, and a scented candle burning between us.

"I've been better. But I'm grateful to be alive," I admit. I ball up my fists. Peter was right. I rushed the fight with blind strength and no regard for myself. All I wanted was to see them fall. Peter was telling the truth; I really have gone blind.