The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 26

Layla

I woke up with pain spreading all over my ribs and torso. I groaned as I lifted myself up, sharply inhaling, which only seemed to make the pain worse.

I noticed Xavi wasn't in my room anymore. Getting up from bed, I put a hand on my aching ribs and stumbled over to the common room where I found Xavi asleep on the couch. I slowly walked over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder and gently shaking him awake. He jumped, frantically looking around the room. "Easy. It's just me.", I said gently.

He jumped up from the couch, putting his hands on my shoulders. "Layla, are you okay? What are you doing up?", he asked, his eyes frantically searching for any injuries.

I chuckled. "I'm alright, Xavi.", I gently said. He sighed out a breath of relief. "The pain just woke me up, that's all.", I told him and his eyes that were bloodshot from sleep widened.

"You should've said.", he told me, taking my hand and leading me to his room, sitting me down on his bed as he searched for something on one of his shelves. I swear, he had medicine everywhere, including his bedroom.

"What are you looking for?", I asked him curiously, smiling at his concentrated expression.

"Pain relief. I swear I had one of those painkiller herbs.", he mumbled, looking through his stuff and smelling the contents of some jars and boxes. "Finally.", he mumbled, taking out a leaf from one of the boxes and coming over to me.

"Do I smoke it?", I asked and he laughed, shaking his head.

"Chew it.", he said and my brows furrowed. "I promise, it doesn't have a taste.", he told me and I hesitantly took it from his hands, putting it in my mouth and trying to chew it. He was right, it didn't have a taste at all.

"It's very hard to chew.", I commented after I swallowed it.

"Yeah, the skin is a bit more elastic than other herbs.", he explained.

"What is it?", I asked him.

"It's the Yellow Wild Birch leaf. They're really rare now, and very hard to get.", he said, seeming proud of himself that he had the pleasure of acquiring it. I smiled, happy that the pain was already going away. "Layla, can I suggest something to you without you getting mad?", he suddenly asked, taking me by surprise. I nodded.

"I think, if you want this all to be done as soon as possible, that Amir, Uriah and I should go to the Order of Ambrose alone.", he told me and for a moment I just stared at him.

I shook my head. "You can't go without me.", I said.

"Layla, we can do it, I promise. You're injured and I know you want it done as soon as possible. You can't go anywhere in your condition and this way you won't have to! We can deal with it all. We can find Curtis and have him translate the text for us!", he said and I looked at him in disbelief.

"Xavi, I want to go!", I said, getting up and immediately regretting it. Even though the Yellow Wild Birch leaf was doing wonders, my ribs were still broken and aching. "What if something happens to the three of you? We don't know how 'friendly' they are!", I complained.

"If something happens to us, then you'll be safe. Please, Layla. Just this once, let us deal with the situation while you rest. Please, little raven.", he pleaded, looking deep into my eyes and putting his hands on my shoulders.

"Xavi, I have to go with you.", I breathe out and he shook his head.

"You don't, Layla. We're capable enough.", he said.

"I'm not saying you're not capable enough. I'm saying that, as your boss, I should go with you. What message does it send if I don't go?", I explained.

"Layla, you're injured. You can't go in this state and I doubt you want to wait a couple of weeks.", he stated. "Please. Just stay here this once.", he whispered, looking deep into my eyes.