The Mage's Familiar

20. Diagnosis

Many days passed in a similar manner. She stood guard in front of the Emperor's office, performed small tasks, and often spent several hours seated comfortably in the office itself with practically nothing to keep her busy. The Emperor seemed satisfied just to have her in his line of sight. Occasionally he would insist she join him for tea and she obliged, but her behavior towards him remained steadfast and distant. She could tell he was growing more dejected and frustrated at her indifference as time passed but refused to relent. It was on the fifth day that she willingly spoke to him for the first time. His initial delight quickly faded as her attitude was strictly professional and the news she brought was grim.

"Your Majesty," she said softly, lowering her teacup.

The tea was particularly fragrant and delicious today. Warmth spread through her body as she drank it, giving her a small sense of comfort. The Emperor looked up at her with surprise and cautious optimism on his face.

"Olwen?" he replied.

"I don't know how else to present this information to you, as it's only a theory, but I think I may have become aware of the source of your illness."

Cefrin froze, his teacup stopped on the way to his mouth.

"Are you certain?"

"It's only a theory, Your Majesty."

She placed her cup in its saucer and Cefrin did the same, his eyes wide.

"Tell me at once."

Olwen looked up at him and their eyes met. She was taken aback by the fear in his gaze and swallowed nervously.

"There is only one explanation that I think fits your symptoms. It is my opinion that it must be a curse."

Cefrin paused, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"A curse?" he echoed.

"Shadow magic, Your Majesty."

He sat upright and leaned back, trying to contain his shock. Admittedly it had been something he had considered, though it seemed impossible that it would have gone undetected. He frowned at Olwen, betraying some signs of suspicion. But she just looked back at him calmly, her hands folded in her lap. She had no reason to lie.

"Do you have any proof?" he asked, breaking the long silence.

Olwen shook her head.

"No, Your Majesty. But your illness doesn't have any other obvious source."

"Why am I not improving?" he asked, his eyes searching earnestly for an answer in her expression.

"You are being infused with shadow magic regularly, Your Majesty. If that is the cause of your condition."

Cefrin's face paled.

"How often?" he whispered.

"I don't know, Your Majesty. My healing should be working. I am a Class I healer. You should be cured or at least showing increased improvement. There is no reason you should be regressing unless you are being reinfected."

"I see."

Cefrin rose to his feet and began pacing steadily around the office. For many long minutes he didn't speak but simply turned this theory over in his mind until it began taking shape. Olwen watched him cautiously and silently. She was expecting him to have more questions, accusations, something. Anything. But after a few minutes he dismissed her back into the corridor and she left without a word.

She was confident that her theory was correct due to Nas's assessment but had no way to explain why she was so certain. There was no way for her to see dark magic herself and she had no way to substantiate her claims. But she had done as much as she could. She was under no obligation to solve this problem for the Emperor. Despite her contract she was determined not to become closer to him and she was certainly not willing to risk her own safety to solve this mystery. But as a healer her thoughts were clouded with guilt. She felt responsible for the burden she had laid on Cefrin by telling him the truth. By the time she was dismissed for the day she was a bundle of nerves. As she entered her chambers Nas was waiting for her as usual, curled up in a small ball on the bed. He raised his head as she entered and could immediately sense her discomfort.

"Master?" he asked softly.

She looked up at him and he was human again. His white hair was loose and hanging down his back, a few strands delicately framing his face. She could see the concern on his face but waved him away.

"I'm fine, Nas, just tired," she insisted.

But he wasn't fooled. He approached her and embraced her, resting his chin on her head. She leaned into him unconsciously, her forehead pressed into his chest. He was tall enough to envelop her completely and she felt comforted by his closeness. She took a few deep breaths to center herself and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, gently gripping his shirt with both hands. He flinched and she started to pull away but he tightened his grip. She could hear his heart begin to race. She smiled, her anxiety melting away. She released him and tilted her head back so she could look up at him. His face was flushed.

"You can let me go now, Nas," she teased.

But he didn't look at her or answer immediately. When he finally met her eyes they were filled with an emotion she couldn't identify. Her smile began to fade as she studied his face. She reached up and placed her hand gently against his cheek to check his condition. He was warmer than usual.

"Are you-?"

She was cut off as he pulled her closer and kissed her, pressing his lips against hers so softly she was almost in disbelief that it had happened. He flinched again, stepping back slightly as if he was surprised by his own behavior. She stood perfectly still. The shock of his actions had completely cleared her mind of any thoughts. She could feel her face heating up but what surprised her the most was that she had enjoyed the kiss. In fact as she felt small sparks of pleasure pulse through her body she realized that her feelings towards him had been changing for a long time. One kiss was not enough. Before Nas could react she stood on tiptoe, took his face in both of her hands, and kissed him in return with even more enthusiasm that he had initially offered her. His body relaxed and he leaned in carefully, his hand resting on the back of her head to guide her closer to him. She felt his fingers tangled in her hair as he tipped her head back to deepen the kiss. But as she felt his tongue against hers she faltered and he quickly withdrew. They were both breathing heavily and she watched his face redden as they maintained eye contact. She couldn't seem to find her voice but as she reached out to touch his arm he released her and turned away, running his hands through his hair.

She watched him breathlessly with her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The gentle slope of his back curving into his slender neck was captivating in the golden light pouring in through the windows. She could no longer see his face and wondered what expression he was making. She wanted to call out to him. But she couldn't find her voice. Her voice filled his mind instead.

"Nas."

He flinched but did not respond. Without a word he transformed in front of her eyes and darted across the room. She watched his white tail disappear out the window as he left her alone in the room, full of questions he was not prepared to answer.