Y a r a

》 C h a p t e r 16.2

"You'll fall over a root if you keep on staring"

The corners of Dimitri's lips lifted upwards at Yara's comment.

"You're going to fall with me."

Yara wanted to say something back, but winced when Dimitri ducked under a treebranch, while walking. The wounds were becoming very sore with all the movement.

Dimitri noticed and try to readjust his grip on Yara without causing her too much pain.

"How are you feeling?" He asked her while glancing down at her.

Yara sighed. "Emotional or physical?"

Dimitri's eyes softened. "Your mother was a wonderful woman. She's in a better place now."

Yara felt like her throat was closing up and her eyes stinged with upcoming tears.

"Let it out, Yara. It's not good to bottle up emotions."

That was all it took for Yara to turn her head away and softly let the first tear fall. Soon another followed. And for the first time in years, Yara cried.

She cried for her mother and father.
The people that died in Linova.
The painful wounds on her body.
And the horrors of life.

Dimitri didn't say anything. He was silent so that Yara could sort out all the emotions running through her body. He just pulled her closer so that she could lay her head against his chest.

"T-Thank you." Said Yara quietly and cringed at her shuttering.

Dimitri didn't answer back. The small gesture like his thumb brushing against her arm and the way his grip tightened, was enough to let Yara drift into a dreamless sleep.

Dimitri felt her body relax in his arms and looked down.

She was asleep.

He was glad that Yara trusted him enough to fall asleep in his arms, leaving her vulnerable. And he would try to hold it, to not break the little trust she had for him.

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"Yara."

Yara's eyes were still closed. She tried to enjoy the warmth and didn't want to move away. But something was wrong.

She felt cold. Extremely cold.

Dimitri shifted her in his arms before looking at Cyrus beside him. It was night time. They were still in the woods and will arrive at the castle midday tomorrow.

"Get another blanket. Tell the others to start a fire."

Cyrus grimaced and looked down at his feet. "I'm afraid that was the last blanket we have. But I'll go tell the others to start a fire."

Dimitri sighed and looked down at Yara.
She was very pale. Her skin was ice cold and he could feel her shivering in his hold.

Hypothermia.

He still didn't know how she got in a lake, a day ride away from Linova.
It didn't make sense.
And the wounds. You could see they were treated, but by whom?
He knew what happened in Linova, surely that must've been how she got her wounds. Fighting. But that still doesn't explain finding her washed out on the shore of a lake.

Shaking her slightly, he spoke again.
"Yara, come on. You have to wake up."

She stirred a little before her eyes fluttered open. She looked confused.

"W-what's happening?"

Dimitri sighed in relief. "You're sick. You have hypothermia. We need-"

"My King, the fire is ready!" Cyrus came jogging towards them. "Actually, they already started a fire before you commanded them to."

Dimitri gave a nod. "Nevermind. Let's get you to a warmer place." He spoke to Yara.

She nodded her head, still slightly disoriented and placed her head back against his chest.

Dimitri walked towards the fire and could already feel its heat from a distance. Cyrus walked infront of them and pointed towards the 3 soldiers standing near the fire. "The others is on watch tonight." He was silent for a moment, looking at the bushes, and then he shivered. "Yes.." He paused. "We never know what's in these woods, getting ready to slaughter you, eating-"

But Cyrus was cut of by two voices speaking at the same time. Dimitri saying: "Don't even start again." And at the same time a mumble could be heard from Yara. "S-Shut up, Cyrus. You're hurting my ears."

Cyrus scoffed and made his way towards a tree, to lean against.

Dimitri smiled, amused, and made his way towards a spot near the fire. Carefully sitting down, he placed Yara infront of him, but she slumped down and curled into a ball, fighting for any heat left.
Dimitri rearrange the blankets and his coat ontop of her, so that she could get more warmth.

Yara felt too tired to stay awake and drifted off to sleep with only one thing on her mind.

I'm glad I faught against leaving this world.

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Song: EPIC-ancient cry