Time Again

Chapter 22: Take My Soul and Set Me Free

Chapter 22: Take My Soul and Set Me Free

"I didn't want to kiss you goodbye, that was the trouble; I wanted to kiss you goodnight. And there's a lot of difference."

~ Ernest Hemingway

Adelle

I woke up with the moon streaming in through the window above my bed.

Wes wasn't beside me when I opened my eyes and after a second of momentary panic I sat up and found the infirmary silent, a few nurses walked between patients but the room was hushed. A feeling of dread lingered in the room.

My head wasn't aching anymore and I moved my shoulder slightly, wary of the pain there but was happily surprised to feel nothing. Looking to my arm I found that I wasn't connected to an IV. I smiled slightly, feeling better and more rested than I had in days. My smile vanished as soon as it came though, a twinge anger and fear and worry brushed along my bond with Wes. I stood up quickly, the sudden movement made me dizzy but I ignored it and grabbed the sweatshirt that was laying on the chair beside my bed. I shrugged it on as I walked to the door. No one tried to stop me and I hurried out of the infirmary.

I felt my way along the bond and let it guide me to Wes. I found him in the training room, punching a swinging punching bag. He had taken off his shirt and sweat coated his back. His shoulders rolled as he jabbed the bag. I sat in the doorway for a moment, feeling his frustration.

Wes threw one more punch then stilled, breathing hard, hands trapping the swaying bag.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was ragged, like he'd been yelling.

"Good," I responded quietly, edging closer to him.

I watched as he moved and picked up a water bottle. He took a long draw from it then surprised me by sitting down on the mat covered floor. Wes finally looked at me and from the look in his eyes I knew something bad had happened. I sat next to him, drawing my knees to my chest, bracing myself for the news.

"What happened?"

It took him a moment to answer and I waited while he collected his thoughts.

"A guard was killed and when he was found he was found with a note from the Cumacht. They declared war on us."

"When will they attack?" My heart pounded, sinking lower and lower with each beat.

"We don't know," Wes said and tore angry fingers through his hair. "Oh and they have Bridget." He laughed without humor and I winced. Wes quickly looked up at me, his hair sticking up at odd angles. I opened my arms slightly, a silent invitation. With a soft, nearly inaudible sigh, Wes collapsed into me, burying his face into the side of my neck. My arms instantly wound around his shoulders and I held him to me, feeling his breath warm on my skin. I ran my fingers down his back, tracing the length of his spine.

"When was the last time you slept?" I asked softly.

"I don't know," He mumbled. I pressed my lips to his hair, my heart breaking for him, for all that sat on his shoulders.

"Come on." I leaned back and pulled him to his feet.

Wes took my hand without hesitation and I led him back to our room, taking note of the small limp in his walk. I sat him down the bed then went into the bathroom to start the shower. I came back to him and gently prodded him into the bathroom. I shut the door softly behind him then quickly changed out of my hospital smelling clothes and into a T-shirt of Wes's. I heard the shower shut off and I got into bed. After a few minutes the door opened and after shutting off the bathroom light, Wes all but fell into the bed, his arms reaching out to pull me to his chest. I brushed his damp hair away from his eyes and kissed him softly.