As They Fall [First Draft] ~ Currently Editing ~

Nineteen

A/N: I'm sorry for being so lousy at updating frequently. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are as excited as I am to bring on the New Year! Thanks for reading this far and as always vote if you like it, comment your opinions below and thank you for continuing to read As They Fall <3 xx
Dedicated to Sceritz for rekindling my faith in my writing ability :)

An entire month had passed since we parted and my patience was wearing thin.

"Surely they should have returned by now? Or sent the Queen some form of an update!" I fumed, pacing up and down the room wringing my hands.

"I'm sure she'll notify you the moment they return," sighed Charlie, who was sprawled out on his bed, fiddling with a loose thread on his tunic. I glared at him and spat,

"Can you at least act like you care?"

"You must be joking!" snapped Charlie, his expression wounded as he returned my gaze.

"I'm sorry," I sighed, collapsing face down onto my bed, "I didn't mean it." My words muffled as I buried my face deeper into my pillow, upset and ashamed. The bed sagged as Charlie sat beside me and stroked my head, running his fingers through my hair, in an attempt to soothe me.

"Everything will be fine. Your uncle is a strong man. Let's speak to the Queen in the morning and find out what's going on," he murmured, brushing my hair aside to reveal my face. I turned to look up at him and flashed him a grateful look. His fingers lingered on my cheek, his eyes filled with longing, before a knock at the door caused him to leap to his feet. The door swung open and Elizabeth strode in, her cheeks flushed pink and her green eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Where have you been all day?" I asked, pulling myself up into a sitting position as Charlie sat back down on his own bed.

"I've had the most wonderful time!" exclaimed Elizabeth as she launched into a detailed description of her day.

"How is Merek doing?" said Charlie as Elizabeth told them about the meal she had shared with him.

"He is doing well; his wounds have almost completely healed and he is becoming accustomed to using only one hand." It was heartening to see that she had overcome most of her guilt surrounding his injury, her expression remaining cheerful as she spoke. Once she had finished, she clambered into bed and fell asleep before the fireflies had even begun to dim.

With a small chuckle, I rolled onto my side and faced Charlie, who was on his back staring up at the softly glowing ceiling. He closed his eyes and draped his right arm his face while his left arm dangled off the side of the bed his fingertips almost brushing against the floor. I lay there watching him until he was asleep, his chest rising and falling softly. In the dim light, I reached out a tentative finger and touched his hand, lightly tracing the veins, scars and lines of his palm. As I enjoyed the soothing warmth of his hand and fingers a lump of guilt rose in my throat. I withdrew my hand but Charlie clutched tightly onto my hand and didn't let go. I let out a small squeak of surprise but he did not stir. Is he awake? I thought to myself as I attempted to pry his fingers loose. No matter how hard I pulled his grip did not slacken, instead his fingers intertwined with my own. Still asleep, he rolled onto his side and faced me, pulling my hand so close I could feel his breath on my fingertips. The back of my neck prickled with embarrassment but I left my hand where it was and closed my eyes.

Elizabeth was already gone when I woke in the morning and Charlie had let go of my hand during the night, his back now facing me. My eyes bleary with sleep I stumbled out of bed and out into the hallway. Down the hall, Yuli was coming out of her bedroom dressed in hunting garb.