The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 29

Layla

I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I opened my eyes and they burned as light met them. I could barely keep them open but somehow, I managed to look around the room.

I was in my room. It was, at least I think, somewhere around noon- the Sun was shining brightly through my window. My whole torso was covered in bandages. I wasn't alone in the room.

I flinched a little when I noticed Xavi on my desk chair. He was asleep, his head resting on the back of the chair. There were dark circles under his eyes and he was unusually pale. There was a bruise on his inner arm with a red dot in the middle.

I didn't know whether I should go back to sleep or if I should wake Xavi up. For a moment I just stared up at the ceiling, recalling everything that had happened. I didn't even know how long I was asleep.

"Layla.", Xavi said, his voice raspy and his eyes bloodshot when I turned my head to look at him. He immediately got up from the chair, kneeling beside my bed. "How-", he cleared his throat. "How are you feeling?", he asked. Exhaustion was clearly evident on his face.

"Like I was beat up.", I joked but I guess he didn't find it funny. "My whole body hurts.", I said honestly, putting all jokes aside for now.

"The painkiller is wearing off.", he said, nodding his head like he was in thought. I tried sitting up but he pushed me back down. "Don't try to get up. It'll hurt too much. Just stay in bed, okay? I'll get you some food and water, you must be starving.", he said and I nodded. He turned around, taking something from my desk. He handed me a leaf, a Yellow Wild Birch leaf. I already knew what I had to do. I put it in my mouth, chewing, but feeling immense pain when I did so. I groaned and Xavi winced.

"Sorry, I forgot about your nose.", he sighed, turning back around and getting a small vial, handing it to me. I drank the contents without hesitation. "It should start working soon.", he explained. He left my room and I just stared at the ceiling. Memories of the Order of Ambrose came flooding back. I didn't know whether I should regret going there.

The doors of my room opened, revealing Amir and Uriah. They were completely uninjured which was a relief. "Morning, boss.", Uriah said as the two entered my room.

"More like afternoon.", Amir said and I chuckled, immediately groaning in pain and grabbing my ribs in pain.

"When did the two of you get back?", I asked them.

"Just a few hours after Xavi and you.", Uriah said and I slightly nodded.

"Did you get injured?", I asked them hesitantly but they both shook their hands. I exhaled in relief, grateful nothing happened to the two of them. "Did Xavi get injured?", I asked, genuinely concerned.

"It was only you, boss. Don't you remember?", Amir asked and I shook my head.

"Not really. I just know I've been passed out for...", I trailed off, not knowing how long I've actually been out. "How long have I been passed out?", I asked them and they looked at each other hesitantly.

"It's been four days, boss.", Uriah said and as reflex, my eyes widened in shock. The doors of my room burst open, revealing Xavi with a bowl of soup, I assume, and a glass of water. I finally realized how hungry I actually was, I was starving. Xavi helped me sit up and I wanted to scream from the pain that spread all over my torso.

"Is the painkiller not helping?", Xavi asked. I wanted to lie as to not worry him, but I knew he'd see right through me.

"No.", I admitted. He sighed, shaking his head and thinking about something. I reached out to take the glass of water and my ribs ached as I did so, but I pushed through the pain, drinking the water like I've never seen it in my whole life.