Of Blood And Shadows

Chapter Fourteen

AERWYN

Aerwyn would sooner drop dead than agree to start training right now, not when every part of her body ached and her limbs felt like they were filled with lead. Sevrin, that selfish bastard, didn't care about her predicament. She silently cursed him and his entire generation as she stood in front of him, glaring.

"I could just as easily start when I'm better," Aerwyn said through gritted teeth, her legs barely supporting her weight.

Sevrin rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. "Look, we don't have much time. You need to start training right now."

Aerwyn clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her. "Don't have much time for what?" she half-yelled, her breath coming in ragged bursts. "Maybe if I fucking knew why it's so urgent, I'd consider risking myself!"

"You agreed," Sevrin snapped, his voice cold and final. "I don't owe you an explanation. I just need you to do it."

Her heart pounded furiously, and her hands shook with a mix of anger and exhaustion. "I didn't agree to shit. I said if I see my powers, I'd do whatever you ask. Last I checked, I don't see nothing . I'm tired as fuck, my whole body hurts, and I'm trying so hard not to burst into tears." Her throat tightened as the words tumbled out. "I'm not even sure of myself."

Sevrin stared at her, opening his mouth to retort, but something in her voice made him pause. "What do you mean by that?" His voice was quieter now, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Aerwyn shifted on her feet, trying to steady herself, the weight of her sickness pressing down on her chest. "I'm getting memories back... but they're not mine. Or maybe they are. I don't know," she said, her voice trembling with frustration. "The whole reason I'm in this fucked-up, war-infested mess is that I can't remember what happened to my princess. There was proof of me murdering her, but when I tried to remember, there was just this... blank. And now I'm getting memories back because of your stupid potion, and I'm scared I'll realize I actually did it. I don't know if I can live with myself."

Sevrin's brow furrowed, his gaze sharpening. "That's not how this works," he said slowly, shaking his head. "My potion wasn't... It doesn't do that."

"Then why am I remembering? I don't want to!" Aerwyn shot back, desperation creeping into her voice. Her chest tightened. "Whenever I tried to remember that night, it wasn't just forgetting—it was like a whole void where memories should be. I made peace with that void, Sevrin. I made peace with the idea that maybe I didn't do anything, that it was all just some fucked-up illusion. But if I get my memories back, and it confirms what I fear..." She choked. "I might just kill myself."

Sevrin stood in silence for a moment, his calculating eyes studying her intently. Then, with a quick motion, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a small vial filled with swirling silver liquid. "Drink this."

Aerwyn eyed it suspiciously, her hand hovering over the vial. "What is it?"

"A potion to calm your sickness," Sevrin replied, his voice cool and detached. "It should help with whatever's happening to you."

She narrowed her eyes, still uncertain. "How do I know you're not poisoning me?"

Sevrin exhaled sharply, clearly exasperated. "If I wanted you dead, I would've done it already. Trust me, there are easier ways to deal with you." He shoved the vial toward her. "Drink. You've got one hour before training starts."

Aerwyn hesitated only a moment before downing the potion, grimacing at the bitter taste that clung to her tongue. "This better work," she muttered, setting the empty vial down.

"Go rest. I'll send for you when the time comes," Sevrin said, his voice cutting through the fog in her mind as he turned away, leaving her to her thoughts.