Broken Beginnings

Chapter Six

Chapter Six-We Have All Loved and Lost

I drummed my fingers against my legs as I waited for the doctor to come back in. I could hear my heart pounding erratically in my ears and the more I attempted to drown it out, the louder it got. I closed my eyes, breathing shakily. Warm hands held onto my fingers, Ashereds arm pulling me flush against him. He stood beside where I sat on the hospital bed. He kissed the side of my head and placed his chin on my head. "Deep breaths." He whispered, doing as he instructed me. I followed his lead, slowly, our breaths distracting me from the fear that clawed at me.

The doctor who walked in was Opal.

"Hello, Hope." She said casually, sliding the rolling chair over to me.

She sat down taking a pen out of her pocket and began to scribble on the pages of the documents on her clipboard.

"You're still here?"

I asked slowly, confused.

Ashered placed a comforting hand on my back, sensing my surprise. "I wanted to have an inside man, someone who could ensure things were going smoothly while we were away."

I furrowed my brows at the Light Fallen before me. "Why would you need to have an inside person?"

Opal beat him to his own question. "Because I'm a trained warrior and a medically educated one. I am important and I have nothing left to lose." I met Opals eyes and they were empty. Her lips were set into a frown, her snow-white hair had grown out to her collarbone. I stared into her eyes, recognizing the empty that hid all of the pain. I knew it was behind there, trapped. I blinked and really looked at her. Her expression softened as I looked at her with understanding. Before I could say anything, she spoke.

"Your baby is fine. You are, however, under a lot of stress and need to take it easy. You're barely a month, Hope and your body is already strained. To prevent any damage or a miscarriage you have to stop overexerting yourself. Understood?"

I was silent, her words blending together. I could lose this baby like the last one and it would be my fault...again.

"Understood?" Opal snapped firmly, pulling me from my thoughts.

I blinked and nodded rapidly. "Is there anything else?" I asked quietly.

Opal set her clipboard aside and let out a sigh. Ashered frowned. "They want a meeting, don't they?"

Opal nodded. "Yes, your Majesty. They aren't going to let you go so easy this time." She said slowly.

Ashered's eyes narrowed at her, a fire burning beneath them.

"What do you mean by that?" Opal looked to the door motioning to her ears, mouthing "they're listening."

My eyes followed to the door, and she was right. I could feel someone straining their powers, listening to us.

Ashered clenched his teeth tightly.

"So, what can we do to help her, Dr.?" Ashered asked, looking behind Opal.

Opal stood up and busied herself with checking my pulse.

"You can stay here and rest." Ashered studied her and I had to hold back a scoff at this.

Opal came and leaned beside me, checking the pulse on my neck. "Meet me at the mountain when the moon is high." She said so faintly that I almost didn't hear her.

"Off to rest, now." She said spinning around, she softly opened the door.

In the distance a shadow disappeared at the end of the hallway. We all looked to each other and I took a deep breath before Ashered and I entered the hallway. Turning around I saw Opal in the doorway of the medical ward. Her eyes were tired, her skin like ice, cold and melting. She looked as if just breathing was killing her. Ashered grabbed ahold of my hand, his warmth flooding through me. Opals eyes flitted to our hands and to the floor, her posture softened, and she disappeared from view.

She loved Fallon, maybe not the same way I was loved by him or the way I loved Ashered. But just because you weren't given a special didn't mean you couldn't fall in love.

I could see it in the way her whole being seemed to be dying with each passing moment. I recognized that. I grasped tightly onto Ashereds hand. He looked to me curiously, flashing a smile. I couldn't help but let my lips curl upwards. I never wanted to feel that pain again. My heart ached and burned with the sadness at how many of my friends were hurting. 

Hours later, around 11pm, I  awoke. Sweat was beaded on my forehead and I swiped at it mercilessly. Asherds spot was cold, I remembered him standing on the balcony as I fell asleep. I pushed off the covers, the sound echoing in the nights quiet.

As I pulled open the curtains, the cool air greeted me. The land was beautiful, what the fire ate away had been swept up as if it had never happened. Where the walls were singed, fresh glossy paint covered. 

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, looking into the sky out of habit for him, quickly realizing that he would not be there anymore. I looked down, ashamed as if he could see me. And ironically he could. A gasp shot from me as feet landed swiftly behind me. I swung around, my hands crackling with energy. Ashered looked at my fingertips and as I recognized him, they stilled. 

"You don't have to look at the clouds for me, I no longer have wings." Ashereds voice was robotic, emotionless. However, looking into his eyes, I could see the pain. I reached out to him and he backed up.

I sunk back, hurt. 

"Let me be there for you." I whispered. Ashered said nothing and I reached for him again. 

He didn't move as I removed the fabric of his open button down, the material cascading to the ground as I walked around him to see his scars. His muscles tensed, flexing showing the definition beneath the scars. I let out a gasp, feeling the heat that radiated off his skin. It had been only about two weeks and the wounds were fresh. 

I felt tears slide down my cheeks and Ashered turned slowly to look at me. 

" My love, don't cry." he whispered softly. 

I looked up at him, barely able to see him as the river ran from my eyes. 

I silently blamed the hormones, but in truth; its not easy seeing the person you love in pain. 

"I wasn't able to save them." I choked. "I just hate seeing you hurt. I wish there was something I could do." 

Ashered pulled into him, holding me tightly. I laid my hands on the small of his back, away from his scars. He took his hands and guided my hand to each wounded piece of flesh. 

He wrapped his arms back around me and I stood there, feeling his warmth radiate through me. My touch was healing some of the pain. I could feel the wound disappear and the softness of fresh scar tissue knit over it. 

We both breathed relieved sighs, holding onto each other in the cool night.