A Mightnight Dance

A Guardian

Once I regained my composure, I left the twins with Vivian and found Charles's room. He was in the infirmary with a few other patients resting on cots. A couple of their family members sat at their bedside. I spotted Elaine and weaved through the nurses.

"Elaine," I called out.

She stood from the stool and immediately pulled me into a hug.

"He's alright," she assured me. "Just a few bumps and bruises. They will heal."

I rubbed her back, feeling guilty. Not only should I be comforting her, but I should be worried about my brother more. However, knowing that Sebastian hadn't made it home because of him, made his return feel bitter.

I looked past her shoulder. Charles sat, leaning against the wall, propped up by a pillow. His torso was wrapped up, and his head was bandaged. Though roughened up, he offered me a smile.

I looked away. Instead, I grabbed Elaine by her shoulders.

"How about a break? I'll stay with him. The twins are outside with Vivian. I'm sure you'll be able to comfort them."

Sniffing, Elaine nodded. I didn't speak to my brother until she was gone.

"You came."

I sat on the stool and regarded him. The only reason why I wasn't smacking him was because he was injured.

"Lord Ross is fine," Charles began. "He was in the back and was the first to flee with the soldiers. I tried to be brave, but look at how that turned out."

So, he thought I was worried about Lord Ross. To be frank, he barely even crossed my mind.

"You have your health if anything," I said. "I can't say the same about Lord Nightingale."

He winced. "Ava. Listen, I admit there were complications-"

"Ha, complications?"

The other patients looked at us. I leaned forward.

"It's not complications," I hissed. "It's a disaster. You came back without Lord Nightingale."

"So, this is what your disrespect is for?"

"Disrespect? You would call it that."

"Are you not even worried about your family?"

I stood. "I was worried for you when you spoke about leaving, and I worried ever since. Yet, I can't help but remember that you were warned this would happen, and you still ignored our warnings. You're lucky you have loving sisters who convinced your wife not to leave you."

He sighed. "Ava, I'm sorry. Please sit."

I should have marched straight out, but I still didn't know what happened. How could I even begin to comfort Delilah?

"Fine." Sitting, I gestured for him to continue. "So, what happened?"

Charles explained the trip up the mountain and how he disliked camping. They had almost made it to the mine when one of Sebastian's soldiers came back injured. A Hellios had strayed behind and noticed them. While the soldier had managed to escape, the Hellios was on their trail. Sebastian ordered everyone to return down the mountain.

"Lord Ross wanted to stay."

"Of course he would."

"I agree with him," Charles admitted.

I gaped at him. "Are you in your right mind?"

"It was only one," Charles explained. "They had plenty of soldiers."