Bridging Destinies

Chapter 63: An Unhappy Mandate

As the day wore on into evening, Melusine had brought the healing broth she and Seokjin had prepared and fed me, while Jaron had taken a break from tending to me to see to his personal needs. When evening turned into night, all three had joined me in the room we had borrowed from Hoseok, climbing into the bed. They curled up next to me, offering their Light and their warmth, like wolves cuddled together in a den.

We all knew that the last healing session to cleanse my blood would be intense. It would take weeks to heal naturally, and a swift conclusion was needed. We did not have the weeks to spend. A swift blood cleansing would not be pleasant, and it would take everything they had to work the healing.

My mind lazily drifted to where Namjoon lay next to Hoseok in his bed, wide awake and unable to sleep. I sighed softly, worrying about the man I loved and shifted carefully in the bed. Jaron opened his eyes and looked at me, then tenderly smiled. He spoke into my mind with a sweet caress, 'How are you, my mother? Do you fare well?'

Touching Jaron's cheek gently with the tips of my fingers, I spoke in a faint whisper, "I fare, Tar'oniel, my son. I am glad you are here with me, though I worry for you."

Jaron lay his hand over mine and threaded his fingers through them, unifying our hands as one, responding silently, 'And I you. You know you cannot tarry for long.' He told me gently, 'I know you love him, but it must be.'

I tucked Jaron's hand under my chin, but did not respond to his words. Melusine lay curled into my side and wrapped her arms around me a little tighter. Moving her hand up to where mine joined with Jaron's she touched both our hands lightly, giving our hands a subtle squeeze with the tips of her fingers. She looked at Jaron and silently shook her head, then with her voice she stated quietly, "Tar'oniel. It will keep for now." Jaron almost seemed to pout, but settled himself closer to me, burying his face in my shoulder. Melusine was much older than both of us, having lived from the time after the last earth had been reborn, when humans were still gathering their food from the wild, and hunting their prey, following the herds with the seasons. While Jaron had the freedom to argue subtly with me, as I allowed this freedom, Melusine was a senior to both of us and we bowed to her wisdom.

Jaron had fallen silent, content to stay close to me, but I knew his mind was flowing with his thoughts, as was mine. I was near the precipice of what I feared, and it was only a matter of weeks, if not days before I would be forced to leave. I hoped that I might return, but I did not know if it would be possible. I pushed my thoughts to the side, unable to follow them to any happy conclusion and gestured for water, which was swiftly provided for me. I drank slowly and deeply, then handing the water back to Jaron, I settled back into the bed and attempted to drift into as deep a meditative state as my condition would allow. Melusine's words rang in my head, "It will keep." And indeed it would, I thought to myself and cuddled my son's body close to mine.

~~~

In the morning a soft knock sounded against the door and a tired Namjoon poked his head into the room, to see Daniel sitting at the side of the bed, with Melusine stirring from her position beside me. "Can I come in?" He asked, looking at first me, then the others.

Melusine nodded slowly but deeply, then moved to the side of the bed to stand. She pulled at Daniel's arm, then gestured to Jaron, who was still stirring beside me, reluctant to leave my side. As Namjoon came further into the room, Melusine also grabbed Jaron's arm with a shake of her head and pulled him, along with Daniel towards the door. She smiled gently at Namjoon and gave him a nod of acknowledgement and permission as she began to leave the room, but stopped near him, speaking lightly, "You may. We will give you time."

With a half bow, Namjoon thanked Melusine formally, murmuring before advancing into the room. He gazed at me, his eyes taking me in, and moved to sit at the side of the bed. I smiled at him and carefully sat up. My physical wounds were healed over, but I was still weak. As I sat up, he assisted me, organizing pillows behind my back, then sat back firmly at the bed's edge. "How are you feeling? You still don't look that well."