The Lost War (Hectic Series: Book One)

Chapter 7

(Author's Note: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Outbackcities, a very good friend of mine who's maybe in need of a bit of a cheering up. *throws confetti* HEY FRIEND :3)
    "Don't like the cold," Oliver mumbled to nobody in particular.
It wasn't exactly freezing; there were still bright orange leaves on the trees and the grass wasn't yet dead, but the sun was blocked by thin gray clouds and a chill wind stirred up the tree branches.
Kim would have loved the autumn weather, he knew, but Kim was currently out cold.
He threw an extra blanket over her, just in case.
She'd nearly slept away the past four days, and the moments she was awake she mumbled incoherently.
Oliver was well past the point of worry and nearing hysteria's territory.
He'd managed to pour water down her throat, but she hadn't eaten anything.
Or gone to the bathroom.
He wondered how that was possible and stopped himself before it got too detailed.
Shivering, he wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and leaned back against a tree stump.
He'd tried to reassure himself that everything was okay, that it would all be over soon.
But the human demons were invading and it was looking like the Lost War had something to do with it and now Kim was more than likely dying. And he was cold.
All was not well in Oliver's little corner of the world.
He glanced over at Kim. She didn't look particularly ill, disregarding how pale she was, although she was naturally fair-skinned.
He never saw her move, though, not once. She lay completely and utterly still, on her back with her wings spread out stiff, which was odd considering she usually slept with them curled around her. It was starting to creep him out, to be honest.
He grabbed a bag of dried fruit from his pack and briefly considered making some tea, although decided against it on the basis that it was too much effort right now.
He was exhausted and stressed and afraid and cold and tea wouldn't fix any of his problems at the moment.
Carrain was two days away at most, and if he really pushed Leleh they could make it in one. He hoped the Councils  weren't there yet. It wouldn't do to have them see the Empress in the condition she was in.
He cast a hopeful glance at Kim when he heard her stir, but she was just squirming in her sleep.
He almost went to try and wake her before sitting back. She wouldn't get much rest back at the Palace.
He found himself absently twisting the ring on his finger. He stared down at the plain silver band and sighed.
Emily had been gone for 28 years, two years before Kim was born.
He remembered the day Emily had died and David Lyland had found him crying on his porch.
Two years later Oliver had found David crying on the Palace steps, and then they were both
widowers.
David had been a good father, as good as he could be while being in service to the Emperor. He'd taught Kim how to use her power and how to control it, how to put on a mask for the world. Sometimes Oliver thought that maybe he'd done too good a job at that.
Most of the time David was away on business, and the times he was home work and duty were his main priorities.
He had loved Kim, Oliver knew that to be true, but he'd fallen flat when it came to letting her know.
And so the "caring" part of their relationship fell to Oliver, who would take Kim to his house or down to the market. One time, when he thought the Emperor was gone, he had taken her into the throne room, (she had been asking to see it) only to have the Emperor walk in right then.
Oliver, having been friends with David his whole life and by default acquaintances with the Emperor, knew that there was nothing to fear, but Kim didn't.
She had squeaked like a mouse and ran behind Oliver's legs.
The Emperor had then gotten down on his knees, persuaded Kim to come out of hiding, and chatted with her for quite a while before suggesting to Oliver that he show her the passages in the walls. Kim didn't have a problem with the Emperor after that.
When David passed away Kim's care fell to Oliver, who watched her grow up to become the Emperor's successor.
She hadn't wanted the position, he knew, but all Hectics were fair game, and when the Hectic Council had chosen her she had been shocked. It wasn't a decision the Council voted on lightly.
It was almost sad to watch her coronation ceremony. He knew what she was losing and what she could have had, but Kim stepped up to the plate like a good little Hectic because that's what she had been taught. Duty first, happiness later.
Had David not died before the Emperor, Oliver would have betted on him becoming the successor. Not that Kim did a bad job herself, of course.
Despite non-Hectics being intimidated by them, the people actually liked her. She was a fair ruler, but that didn't mean they welcomed her with open arms.
Hectics, despite the position of authority they were in, were always the outcasts.
They took care of everything to keep the Alliance running smoothly.
The Empress ruled the Kings and Queens of the four kingdoms, while the other Hectics acted as a justice system. The Hectics could not give orders to the Kings and Queens, but they acted on Kim's behalf, which was as close to superiority as one could get.
Everyone in Carrain knew he was a friend of Kim's, which often earned him some odd glances, but they also knew how he used to repair their houses and how Emily had passed, and so he got quite a few smiles as well.
Oliver took off his ring, cleaned it with his sleeve despite it already being immaculately clean, and slipped it back onto his finger.
He grabbed his cane and twisted off the hook part to reveal the little hollowed out compartment where Emily's ring was stored.
Holding it up to look at it and glancing at Kim, he realized it might fit her.
Maybe he would give it to her one day.
He smiled at the thought.