The Wings of the Beautifully Fallen

Chapter 36: Reginald

Chapter 36: Reginald

The gentle tapping of raindrops on the windows finally woke me, a sliver a sunlight slipping inside, casting over the bed that Illiana slept in. Her eyes were still closed, lost in her slumber, her hand wrapped weakly around mine. Her words from last night echoed in my mind and I smiled, even if it was something small, she was finally learning that I was here for her. That I would care for her. We may not still be a real couple, but we were getting there, slowly but surely she was opening up to me and I would do anything to keep her.

"Mmm." A soft groan came from her as her head moved, tossing over to the side, away from the sunlight. Her shoulders moved gently as she breathed and the gentle flush of her cheeks were signs that she was still alive. But even so, I needed to get her back to the palace and to the doctor. She may look fine and healthy to me, but I was nothing when it came to what the doctors knew. Peeling myself from the chair, I leaned forward, gently wrapping the top blanket around my wife and making sure her clothes were not suffocating her.

What time had her clothes finally dried so that I could dress her in them once again? I knew that it was late and darkness had taken over the sky, but other than that, I really had clue. Add to that, I could no remember when the fire had gone out and I could only assume that the flames had died some time after I had fallen asleep. It made clean up a little easier as I would not have to wait for it to die out or to waste wood by dousing it.

My eyes turned to the window, studying the gentleness of the outside world. The rain had stopped and only the droplets from the trees remained pelting the windows as they slid from the leaves. It was time to go back home where I would make sure that she stay and rest. My arms slid beneath her small body as I pulled her closer to me, hoping that the warmth of my body will keep her warm throughout the flight. For now at least, that was the best that I could do for her.

*

"Finally!" Mother's voice rung out as she rushed down the stairs, my little sister following close behind with tear filled eyes. "Where have you both been? Do you have any idea how worried we all were?" She demanded as her feet carried her closer and I smiled weakly at her when I landed on the ground.

"We stayed at the cottage as it was closer and Illiana could not sustain any more exposure to the rain and the wind." I explained, tightening my grip around my wife as her head rested on my chest. "I will go into more detail later, if you do not mind. But I need to get her to her room so will you call for the doctor?"

"Will she be alright?" Rebecca demanded and I nodded, watching the relief spread across her face. I knew that my sister was already close to Illiana, that they had already seen each other as family and that only made it harder on my sister at this moment. Why was it that I had so many females in my life that I had to protect and care for? It made times like this a real pain to deal with. "I will call for the doctors." Rebecca offered, her green dress flaring around her as she turned on her heel, her green wings sprouting from her back as she kicked off the ground and flew inside.

"Come on, let us get your wife inside where it is warm." Mother sighed in irritation as she turned to lead my inside and I chuckled, shaking my head slightly.

"I plan on flying up to her room, Mother. Since Rebecca is getting the doctor, can you try and get some food? I would lie for something to be there when she wakes up." I told her and she nodded once, her hand waving in the air, urging me to leave her and I was quick to do as she ordered. I knew my mother understood the feelings inside, the fear that boiled in my gut and the need to care for Illiana that tore throughout on my body. She understood just as she always did, even when I was growing up.

A fire crackled in the fireplace as I flew into her room, but not a soul could be seen. More than likely, someone knew that she would be back this morning and had lit the fire to make sure it was warm for that inevitable fact. A part of me knew that it had to be one of her handmaidens and I promised that I would thank them the second that I saw them again. For now, though, I stepped forward to her bed, carefully pulling back the sheets and then placing her there.