The Scarlet Scepter

Chapter Sixteen (Revised)

"I will be fine, Annaliese. Why don't you go check on Cyrus?"

Cornelia was cooking, and I sat at the table with my stomach growling. Her long stringy brown hair falling freely down her back made her look younger than my aunt, and her face was still youthful.

I offered to help her, but she insisted on doing it herself. My appetite hadn't changed at all. I nodded at her request and headed to where Cyrus was resting, but when I reached it, he was standing on the doorway.

"Annaliese?" His black hair, now messy, hung over his blue eyes, and he was staring at me like he was wondering if he was dreaming. "You're all right?" Before I could answer, he clasped my face with his hands.

"I'm so sorry, Cyrus. Because of me, you were—"

"No. I should be the one apologizing. Heaven knows what she did to you, Annaliese. It was my fault. It was my duty to protect you and I failed."

"If you're asking me if I have feelings for the girl, I don't. I only protect her because it is my duty and responsibility to the kingdom. It is also your duty. You know that."

"Duty?" I was angry. Angry that he risked his life for me several times and it was his duty. Angry that I couldn't tell him what I felt. "Duty? What if she really killed you? What would become of your duty then?"

For the first time since I met him, he looked sincerely shocked. "Annaliese—"

"Why would you risk your life for me? Why? You could have just told her you don't even like me and she wouldn't hurt you!"

Cyrus's eyes were closed. "I told you I don't hate you. I never hated you."

"Then why? Why—"

"Do I need to answer that? I do what I want."

His tone told me that it was the end of the conversation, but it wasn't for me.

"Do you really protect me because it's your duty to protect me? Or was it because . . . "

He opened his eyes. "Because?"

I suddenly got the feeling that someone was watching us. "Sorry to interrupt," Cornelia said, and we both flinched at the sound of her voice. "Well, Cyrus, it appears you feel better now." She inspected him from head to toe and then turned to me. "The food is ready, and both of you need to eat."

I couldn't ask him again, not with Cornelia watching us. Over dinner, I explained to Cyrus how I knew what happened after I fell. I merely told him that ever since I came to Eleos, I've been having strange dreams, accounting to the fact that Eleos is magical and all. I supposed he understood immediately, and he didn't ask any more questions. I was relieved, because I didn't want to tell him about the dreams.

Whatever Cornelia gave me was effective. My body felt normal again. After we ate, I noticed that Cyrus wanted to tell me something, but Cornelia told him to rest, as he wasn't fully healed yet. I snorted at him and when he went inside, I helped her tidy the kitchen.

"It's still early," I commented as I saw the sun setting in the west from the window. There was a horse tied to the tree at the front yard of the house. I was going to ask her whose it was, but I recognized the horse immediately. It was Cyrus's horse. Of course. How would Cyrus carry me all the way here when he himself was wounded?

"Yes, it is," she agreed. "But I know that you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."

I looked at her in astonishment. "Why did you help us?"