Flames of Fury

Chapter 10

Happy Monday morning!

— — — — —

Ember

Mags doesn't fight me when I extend my hand out to her to help her off the floor and into the bathroom. I run her a hot bath and wash her hair for her while she works on scrubbing the rest of her body. She has such beautiful, long white hair that has a pearlescent quality to it, at least it does when it's clean. Mags' movements are robotic, going through the motions to get herself clean, but it's better than seeing her sitting on the floor in her own dried blood.

When she's clean, dry, and dressed I leisurely brush out her hair and plait it into a single braid. The guards don't bother us as we walk through the corridors, they know better than to stop and question the woman they believe will be their new queen and her doctor. It's also helpful that Griffin's room is just past the infirmary, so it's not unusual for us to be walking in this direction.

Griffin is already in his room by the time we show up and he's put out some food to entice Mags to eat. "Anyone give you any trouble on your way here?" He asks as he offers Mags a glass of water.

She takes it and sips it slowly, mechanically, her eyes unfocused like she's looking at something a thousand yards away.

"No, I made sure to go by the infirmary just in case." If anyone did question anything, it would simply appear as though I were bringing my patient in for a checkup. But the guards don't patrol this section of the Hollow, only Griffin and his brother live in this wing.

"Alright, good." He turns his attention towards where Mags is sitting at his kitchen table and takes a seat next to her pushing the platter of food towards her a little more. "While you and Ember got ready, I went and spoke with Illian. I think he underestimated you, in fact I know he did. Due to the negative impact sleep deprivation has on your health he will stay out of your dreams...for now." There's a sincere remorse to the way he speaks those last two words. I know that he feels badly about this entire situation, but he's playing a dangerous game and needs to make careful moves.

"You're welcome to get some rest here, or I can take you back to your room and guard it personally." He offers her.

"Right." Mags scoffs, "you just waltzed over to Ian and asked really nicely for him to stop torturing the poor pregnant girl. Now I know I'm dreaming."

He reaches across the table and grasps her hand. Without sleep, she's not as fast as she normally is so despite trying to pull her hand away, Griffin manages to get a grip on her.

"Mags, this moment is real." He looks over towards me and I know what he's asking just from the expression in his eyes. I nod, giving him my silent permission for him to continue.

"Did you know that Ember isn't from Drow Hollow?"

Mags nods, she knows I'm not from here but she doesn't know how I came to live in Drow Hollow.

"Did she tell you that Illian tormented her as well?"

She nods once again but this time looks at me with empathetic eyes. She knows now just how sick Illian can be and how his mind games can fuck you up on every level.

"Well, did you know that I was the one who helped her through it?"

At this she looks up, cautious like a cat and slow to trust.

Griffin smiles kindly at her and squeezes her hand in his. "Illian isn't one for details, he'll get the small things wrong. Like —,"

"Like calling me the wrong nickname," Mags whispers to herself.