Kissed by Fire: Cal Kestis

Chapter 34

Y/n wanted to wake up for once without feeling an immense headache, but of course her current occupation wouldn't allow for such a leisure. She managed to open her eyes, and shifted in her spot. She felt comfortable bedding, and thankfully not the cold metal cot of an Imperial holding cell. Letting out a small groan, she lifted her head from her comfortable pillow. Every inch of her body was sore, but thankfully she didn't feel the stifling pain that came with the interrogation chair in the Fortress.

When she fully opened her eyes, she looked around to see that she was back in her own room, and a breath of relief left her chest. She had never been so glad to see a bookshelf in her entire life. When she tried to sit up, she let out another groan, for the pain in her head began to spike once more. "Kriffing hell," she mumbled to herself, holding her head in her hand. Just movement hurt every last muscle in her body. She laid back against the headboard of her cot, looking to the side to see her nightstand had a small cup sitting on it.

"Ah, you are awake," she heard, and turned her head to see Merrin walking into her room. Although the girl knew how to hide her feelings behind an impassive expression, there was no hiding the relief in Merrin's eyes at seeing Y/n alive. "We were wondering when you would come to."

Y/n blinked. "How long have I been out?" she asked her as Merrin said down on the bed beside her legs.

"Not too long. A few hours, at least," Merrin informed her. "We thought you'd be asleep for for longer."

"Yeah, so did I," Y/n confessed, feeing the fabric of her bed beneath her fingers. It felt softer than ever, her hands running over the blankets with a new sense of thankfulness. Her eyes widened at a sudden realization, and looked up at Merrin with urgency. "Where's Cere? And Cal? Are they alright?"

Merrin put her hands up as if to calm an eopie. "Your boyfriend is fine, as is Cere. Cal is still sleeping. The wound on his side did not look good when I brought him back to the ship."

Y/n looked over the Nightsister, gratitude entering her chest. "You brought us back?" she asked. Merrin shrugged her shoulder gently, a little bit bashful, although she would never admit it. She was shocked when she felt arms around her. "Thank you, Merrin," she heard Y/n say, and blinked before lightly reciprocating the gesture.

"It was nothing," Merrin shook her head when they pulled back. "Besides, you're one of the only tolerable ones on the ship. I couldn't have you dying."

Y/n smiled gently at Merrin, knowing she was hiding her emotions once again. "Well, nevertheless, thank you."

Merrin nodded, and pointed at the cup on her nightstand. "Cere made that. It has some herb in it. Starbrella, or something."

"Stellabrosia?" Y/n corrected her with a slight laugh, taking the cup from the nightstand.

"Yes. That. To help with your undoubted headache," Merrin told her. "She assumed you'd have one. I have never heard of such a plant before."

"I found it on Bogano," Y/n told her, taking a sip of the tea. Almost immediately, she felt a soothing gentility come over her head, and leaned back against the cot's headboard with closed eyes. "After a little bit of trial and error, I found it does wonders on a headache."

"I see," Merrin nodded along with her words. She hesitated a moment, but said, "Cal has been calling for you."

Y/n blinked slightly, raising a brow a little bit as she asked, "Has he?"

"Yes. It's actually be quite amusing," Merrin confessed with a slight quirk of her lip before standing and looking around the room.

"I can imagine," Y/n said with a shake of her had, taking another sip of the Stellabrosia tea.