Ark of the Light

NINE: RAYS OF DAWN

Christopher brushed passed the rest of the Ark, heading straight to the living room couch. Laying her down, he brushed a stray strand of hair away from her closed eyes. He pressed a hand against her forehead. She shivered at his touch, and she was still clammy, but it did not feel like fever.

Christopher stood, turning as the rest of the Ark entered the church. Emilia eyed the unconscious woman wearily. An air of distrust hovered around them. Christopher clenched his jaw, trying not to scowl. Of course, they would be suspicious of him, of this.

"So," Jovanna drawled, trying to ease the tension.

Before he could continue, Christopher let out a sigh. "This is Maroth. The sorceress that helped guide the prophecy. She's the one who brought us all together. The price she paid to save the world was the freedom to live her own life. She was trapped in," Christopher searched for the word, "a different dimension, unable to do more than nudge fate."

"How did she get here?" Emilia asked, crossing her arms.

Christopher glanced at the still sleeping Morath. "That's what I would like to know..."

***

Maroth remained asleep for the rest of the day. Zoey had taken to watching over her, Christopher close to her side. The sun had begun to set, falling behind the trees and casting the living room into dusk. Zoey sat on a chair next to the couch, changing the cool rag on Maroth's forehead. There was no fever, like she had first thought, but Maroth still wouldn't wake.

Zoey sighed, feeling the weight of the day fall on her shoulders.

Christopher laid a gentle hand on her shoulder from behind, passing down a cup of tea. Graciously, she took it, allowing the sweet smell of peppermint drift towards her. Christopher's hands moved along her upper back, finding each knot and slowly unraveling them. Zoey leaned into his touch. She couldn't help but think about the way he had held Maroth, the gentleness in his voice. The concern in his eyes.

"No, I love you, Zoey, and only you," Christopher murmured, low for only her to hear.

Zoey jumped a little at his words, at the way his breath tickled her ear. "I know. I'm sorry-"

"You have nothing to apologize for," Christopher interrupted, "You thought I was dead. I'm glad you moved on. You deserve to be happy, whether with me or with someone else. Though, I am happy you have decided on me."

"Why do you think she is here, Christopher?" Zoey whispered.

Christopher shook his head, "I don't know."

***

They did not have to wait long for their answer. Zoey and Christopher had both fallen asleep in the living room around three in the morning, watching after Maroth, trying to keep her comfortable. But, with the first rays of dawn, Zoey shifted awake. Zoey let out a yawn, stretching as her shoulders popped back into place. Next to her, Christopher remained asleep, mouth open. Chuckling to herself, Zoey unwrapped herself from his grasp. She turned to where Maroth had been, getting up to check on her, but stopped short.

The couch was empty. Maroth was gone.

Hurriedly, Zoey nudged Christopher, trying to wake him. Groggily, he cracked open his eyes. The confuse daze of sleep slowly lifted as he grasped onto Zoey's panic.

"What's going- What do you mean she's gone?" Christopher jerked up from his seat, now alert.

"Can you hear her?"

"No," Christopher shook his head, "but I couldn't hear her in the other place either."

Zoey was about to instruct him to look outside while she woke the others, but she was cut off by the front door opening. Maroth glided in, footsteps silent as she clicked the door shut. Looking up, she saw the panic she had nearly caused. "My apologies, I needed some fresh air."