Between the Veil and Crown

Arvek 47

Having learned from their first time over the pass, they left early in the morning and traveled through darkening evening until they arrived at Chester. Arvek made no attempt to reach out to Lord Talith, believing Selim to be in too much discomfort as it was. A few rooms were available at one of the inns. Arvek insisted on being in same one as Selim, even if it meant that he would have to share the room with Rasinod as well.

As upsetting as the whole situation was, a part of Arvek didn't fully believe that he had actually accomplished his goal. That Selim was actually in his custody. Leaving him alone meant that he would possibly lose him again. Or if he stayed away too long, he would wake up and find that all of it, the good and the bad, was only a dream and Selim still hadn't been found yet.

Arvek barely slept that night. His head was too filled with various thoughts. Being so close to the western towns reminded him of the suffering they were going through, and how long they had been ignored. His conversation with Cor earlier that morning (it felt so long ago) replayed like some kind of twisted theater production, ladening him guilt for letting Cor go ignored so long with the idea that it was somehow his fault Selim was forced into treatment. The rest of the journey they had squeezed in here and there, reminding him of the troubles he had on the way down. All of that was periodically silenced when Selim fitfully stirred and all of Arvek's attention shifted to him.

What could have driven someone to do this to anyone, let alone Selim? Certainly he could feel for Amelia and her request to remove the soldiers, having seen their behavior. But that hardly could warrant kidnap, much less permanently drugging Selim. It was despicable, and there was no way around that.

As the first rays of the suns peered through the windows of the inn, Selim slowly turned his head and opened his eyes as much as he could, his gaze resting on Arvek. For a while, nothing was said. There was only the sound of Rasinod's snores.

Selim's eyes were still giving the whiteish discharge. Rasinod kept saying this was a good sign, but Arvek did not like how it kept getting whiter. It made it look as though Selim was just getting sicker.

"Please," Selim whispered in a raspy voice.

Arvek jolted, not expecting to say anything.

"Please," Selim repeated. "Don't . . . let this . . . continue." He took a shuddering breath, drawing up more strength so he could speak in longer sentences.

"Don't waste your strength," Arvek told him.

"I'm not . . . I'm not under the . . . influence. Please. Don't let him . . . give me more."

Something in his gut twisted. He hated it when Selim pleaded with him. Selim never did that. Selim would fight Arvek for what he wanted, not beg him for it.

"If we stop the treatment, it will hurt you," Arvek told him.

Selim closed his eyes and made a noise that sounded like he attempted a groan. "That would be . . . better. I promise . . . I'm not . . . I'm clean."

Arvek shifted himself and diverted his gaze out the window. Rasinod continued to snore away.

"I know I'm not . . . influenced," Selim gasped. "I know what it's . . . like. I know . . . how it feels. I promise. I'm clean."

"I would like to believe you," Arvek said. "But you've defended your kidnapper, you won't say anything bad about her, and the test came out positive."

"I can't . . . I don't want you to . . . take it the wrong way," Selim said. "Please, let me . . . explain." His breathing was getting heavier now. This conversation was stressing him out. "Please . . . look at me."