Of Blood And Shadows

Chapter Twelve

AERWYN

"Aerwyn, I don't think I want this anymore. I know you said the thought of being in a relationship makes your skin crawl, but I love you. I love you so much."

Aerwyn's eyes slowly blinked open, adjusting to reality. Her throat felt parched, her skin hot, and the sheets were damp with sweat.

"I love you so much." That was undoubtedly Poppy's voice, yet Aerwyn didn't recall ever having such a conversation with her.

Groaning, Aerwyn realized every part of her body ached. She was torn between freaking out that Sevrin had indeed poisoned her or wondering if this was just a reaction to the potion.

"You're up." Aerwyn turned to see Neva sitting in the corner of the room. Her feet looked sore, her face sad, and her wings... Aerwyn paused, examining Neva's wings. While half of them remained the deep black she was used to, the other half seemed to be fading to a lighter shade.
Aerwyn shook her head, it might be the light playing tricks on her "How are you feeling?"

Aerwyn's cheeks burned with shame as she recalled yesterday's events. How she'd been tossed around and had to be saved by a literal child. Sevrin was right, she was a weak link. She had laughed and smiled with everyone after the battle, but deep down, she had never felt more disgusted and useless. Her skills hadn't come to any real use when facing magical beings, which led her to desperately accept Sevrin's help.

Now, feeling weak, hot, sweaty, and thirsty—everything a sick person could feel—she regretted it. Yet a part of her hoped she'd start seeing some results soon.

"Neva," she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Neva frowned, getting up and moving closer to her. "You don't look well. Are you okay?"

Aerwyn nodded slowly... or at least she tried. Her neck was stiff, and moving it hurt. "I'm alright. Just a little shaken from last night."

Neva nodded, seeming spaced out as she bit the corner of her lip. "On... I don't really feel welcome here. I feel out of place."

Aerwyn frowned. "Did anyone say anything to you? I'll bitch-slap them—"

Neva shook her head, slightly amused. "No, nothing like that. It just all feels weird and... my mom. I went to get your earrings pawned for gold, but no one would accept me because I'm, well, black-winged. They directed me to the Yulo village."

Aerwyn nodded, urging her to continue.

Though she never voiced it, Aerwyn had wondered what Neva was doing there. After being attacked by black-winged Rimatii, Aerwyn hated the part of her that started to understand Dasha's wariness. She hated that human part of her that made her a little afraid of Neva, especially after the spark of electricity that jolted through her right before Neva unleashed those huge blue flames. It had been mesmerizing yet terrifying.

"I flew there in a hurry because I wanted to get back to my mama. I met a man, but in the middle of our conversation, there were shouts from outside. When he opened the door to check, he was struck down immediately," Neva hiccuped. In that moment, Aerwyn saw how much of a child she really was, wiping tears from her face, her red curls framing her delicately.

"So I hid. I heard screams—horrible screams. I was so scared."

Aerwyn, unsure how to comfort people, shifted slightly, though it hurt, and tapped the spot beside her bed for Neva to sit. She did.

"But I knew I had to hide because if they searched, they might find me. So I crept out, and that's when I saw the villagers. I followed them into a bunker behind the grove. When I asked to join them, they denied me... spat at me. They thought I was working with the witches."