Draiks and Angels: Survivor

15 - Healing

"Drink it!" Ava commanded.

Tadeas squinted up at the Angel, surprised at the force in her voice. But he hated orange juice! And he would have to lift himself up to reach the straw, and that was more effort than he wanted to expend.

"Drink it, or I won't tell you what happened when we summoned Bragi!"

Tadeas frowned. That wasn't fair.

"Fine..." Tadeas gave in.

He lifted himself with his elbow and took a short sip from the straw sticking out of a tumbler filled with orange juice. It was sitting on a tray that was bolted to the bedframe so it wouldn't tip as the occupant moved.

"All of it!"

Tadeas made a face and took another sip. When the whole cup was drained, Ava took it away and Tadeas relaxed back on the bed. He did feel a little better, dang it all. He didn't want orange juice to be good for him.

"So?" he prompted.

Ava grabbed her notebook and related everything Bragi had said as she had written it down after.

"How're we going to get to Canaan?" Tadeas asked, eyes closed against the bright light. "Do they speak enough Anglian for us to get by?"

"I don't know. You are obviously not fit to travel yet, so we have a little time to try and figure it out."

Tadeas wanted to object, but seeing as how he couldn't even stand to look at her because of the light, he kept his mouth shut. He needed to be in better condition if he wanted to protect anybody, even if it meant drinking orange juice.

He could almost feel something that he was associating with his magic, though he couldn't tell how "full" it was, just that it wasn't all the way returned nor was it all the way empty. Satiya said it only took a day to return to full, but he doubted he would have recovered from his other problems by then. He wondered if he could use his magic to speed up his own healing.

He could feel the familiar knot in his chest that he now knew as guilt. Layered on the dusty feelings about his family was a thin coating for being a bother to everyone. If he was healthy again, would that go away?

An Angel arrived at the door with a new tumbler of orange juice. Ava transferred the straw and brought the new glass to Tadeas' side. She placed it on the tray and Tadeas looked at it through one eye.

"Ugh."

"It's supposed to help you recover from blood loss! You still look too pale. You'll be grateful when you stop feeling so weak, too!"

"I'll regret it when I have to go to the bathroom from drinking so much," Tadeas complained, but he lifted himself and took a sip.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ava was pretty sure Tadeas was sleeping. She walked close and could hear deep, even breaths. He didn't look quite as pale under his copper skin, and his face looked more peaceful than it had all day. She returned to her stool and pulled out a strip of paper from her pocket. She began to make a paper star. Maja poked her head into the room and took in Ava, the star, and Tadeas.

Quietly Maja asked Ava, "Not going to rest yourself? He's not going anywhere."

Ava shook her head, focusing on the origami, "I know what will happen if I do."

Maja cocked her head in silent question.

"I will just see him, covered in blood and bound on the floor. Just like I still see Selim, pinned to the wall in my dreams."