King | j.b

XXVII

Blinding light filled through the air. A glorious light no one has ever seen before.

Ariana was no longer on the mucky, bloody ground. She felt as though she was- floating. She was surrounded by a total and infinite whiteness that extended as far as she could see. The brightness was so intense, she had to squint her eyelids to prevent herself from being harmed by the excruciating light. Suddenly, a wave of comfort formed through her body and her muscles quickly relaxed. A sort of happiness boiled inside her although she did not now why.

Her lips formed a smile as she closed her eyes and enjoyed this pure bliss. Opening her eyes, she could see a tall man walking towards her in the far distance, the mist too thick to be able to make out his features. His arms opened wide as a welcoming sign, and Ariana had never felt such reassurance and joy as she had now. Where was she? It felt like she was in-

But slowly, the brightness started to dim, her feelings returning to her body, and the remembrance of the battle that had just occurred. The man in the distance had faded away and Ariana slowly started to become aware of her surroundings.

She was lying in a bed. Around her were many people in white, scurrying around the room. Beside her were other people lying in beds. Some had bloody faces while others had broken bones. A piercing cry was heard from across the room as a guard clutched his arm in pain.

She was in the infirmary.

A sudden realization hit her and she cranked her head up quickly. She looked around frantically and took loud sharp breaths. She felt a stabbing pain in her hip and moaned in agony. Was the battle over with? How was she still alive? Where was Justin?

"Justin," she moaned, barely able to speak. A large hand rested on her thigh and she looked down. It felt warm on her cold skin. She knew who the manly hand belonged to. It could be only one person.

Her eyes looked up to find Justin looking at her expectantly with a happy smile on his face. He sat on a small chair beside her bed. She gasped in relief and smiled as best she could although she was in deep pain.

"Your alive!" she gasped. Her gaze shifted to a cut on his left cheek. It looked deep but not deep enough that he needed stitches. Her lips curved into a frown as she touched his left cheek and grazed her fingers over the hard, dried blood.

Justin slightly winced but then held her hand and pressed it close to his cheek as if it would somehow heal the wound. He closed his eyes and let out a long breath before opening them again.

"You're awake," he remarked. Ariana looked down and sighed, resting her hand on his lap.

"I am," she croaked. A moment of silence passed between them as they listened to the wailing and groaning of the injured.

"Ow!" Ariana sucked in a sharp breath as she brought her hand to her thigh. She could feel a cloth wrapped around it. Her fingers felt a liquid slowly seeping through the cloth.

Justin frowned at her pained look and slowly lifted the sheets from her thigh so he could see the wound. A look of regret and hurt crossed his face, his lips pressed into a line. He stared at the cloth that was once white but now red. His eyes were glassy as water started to fill them. His eyelids fell and a single tear trickled down his cheek. He opened his eyes to find Ariana looking at him with concern.

"I thought you were going to die." His voice cracked a few times before finished the sentence. He took a sharp deep breath in as another tear escaped his eye. He wiped his face with his wrist and hid his face in his hands. Seeing him like this, only added to Ariana's pain.

"Hey," she soothed, taking his wet hand. "But I'm here now." She paused. "And that's all that matters." Justin looked up to face her and forced a smile. "On the other hand," she continued, "you almost got yourself killed."