Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Chapter Thirty-Six ⚜ The Greatest Irony

Corvan was quiet as his eyes fluttered close. His breathing slowed and the lines between his eyes faded. Valeriana was worried for a few moments, but decided not to fuss so much. She debated whether or not she should stand and listen to the restless urge to get out as soon as possible. Nonetheless, with Corvan being severely injured, she could not find it in her heart to leave him alone.

She shifted uncomfortably, unsure what to make of the sudden silence.

"Are you wounded?" he asked.

"You're seriously asking me that?"

He opened his eyes, his gaze tracing her face. "You're wounded."

She reached up to touch her forehead where a gash had been left behind, as well as a small bump. She couldn't evade that rock completely, hence, her current dilemma.

"It's nothing too serious."

"Do not sleep, you may have a concussion," he whispered. "It would be a shame if you grow more stupid."

"Shut up, dumb jerk!" she exclaimed. "Speak for yourself, dammit. It'd be better if that rock deflated your ego!"

Corvan sighed tiredly.                                                                 

There was another round of silence until light gathered before Valeriana. She shifted her focus towards the familiar energy until soul Cifaro appeared before her in his faint form. The Gilerad lowered his head and gave her his greetings.

"Lheuim ansur," the beast began.

"Cifaro," she said, reaching out to brush his jaw. Surprisingly, her hands didn't pass through. "Cifaro, thank you so much."

"Thou hast called for my help. I will never find it in myself to refuse," the guardian leaned into her palm as a deep rumble reverberated in his throat.

"That demon parasite managed to gather such thick energy to be able to take a somewhat visible form." She frowned. "By the gods, I swear . . . Cifaro, how long will this form last?"

"Not very long," he replied, his bright, golden eyes zeroing in on Valeriana's azure blue ones. "But long enough to help thee find a path out of this cave and inform thy friends of thy dilemma."

"You really can do that? How much time will it take?"

"I estimate a couple of hours, two or three. It may take longer or shorter."

"Please do what you can," she told him.

He nodded and turned to leave. "I shall return."

With that, Cifaro disappeared, his figure fading as he leapt off. The energy fluctuations in the air receded, signaling the fact that he was gone. Valeriana took a deep breath as she turned to look at Corvan. He made no move to comment on anything else, which made the girl's stomach twist at the awkwardness that had rooted between the two of them.

Not to mention her conversation with Keelan. Thinking back made the embarrassment coil in her stomach. Instead of dwelling on the emotion, even so, she shook the thoughts away and decided to focus on the current situation at hand.

"Thank you," Valeriana told him. She said this, partially because she did not know what else to say and because she sincerely felt it.

She then took out a soaked handkerchief from her pocket and wrung it dry. She wiped Corvan's face with it, brushing away his hair from his face. Despite it being cool within the cave and dipping in cold water just a few moments before, he was sweating profusely.