What If...

Chapter 21

Sera was asleep for two days after the convoca with Astrid. It was now day three, and Mahdi was waiting anxiously by Sera's bed for her to wake. Neela had told Mahdi what had happened. He was furious with both Becca, and Sera.  

Sera moaned in her sleep, her eyes fluttered open, and then closed again. "Sera?" Mahdi asked quietly. She let out another moan, and began to roll over to face him. Once she was almost completely facing him she opened her eyes. "Oh thank gods Sera. I thought we lost you again." He grabbed her hand tightly. "You scared me so badly Sera. I'm so mad at you for doing that. You knew the consequences."

"I know," Sera said trying to sit up. Her voice was scratchy, and her mouth was numb. 

"Don't sit up. The doctors said you need to lay flat. They said it is the best way for you to regain your strength." Sera lay back down defeated. "Sera, what were you thinking?"

"Ugh. I wasn't thinking okay. I didn't know what I was doing until it was too late. Becca told me that I had to be in the convoca. When Astrid began I panicked. I should've listened to Neela. She tried to convince me not to go in. I wasn't  going to go in, but then I panicked. I'm sorry Mahdi. I didn't know I would scare you this bad."

"Oh Sera. I'm always worrying about you. Now more than ever." Sera gave Mahdi a small sad smile. She tightened her grip on his hand. "I love you so much. You know that?"

"I know. I love you so much too. But I'm hungry.  I need to eat."

"I knew you would be. You've been out for a while."

"Uh oh. How long is a while?"

"You've been out for two days. That's why I was scared. This would've been the third day if you didn't wake up."

Sera threw her head back into her pillows with a loud sigh. Now she really regretted going into that convoca. If she would've known she would be out for that long she would've refused. Instead she went in. Sera didn't know Mahdi had left until he came back with a tray of bubble tea, and some light foods for Sera to eat. 

"Thank you," Sera said.

Mahdi sat the small tray on her nightstand. He got her a glass of bubble tea, and handed it to her. She was able to sit up just enough to drink the tea, before she had to lay back down again. It was then when she was starting to feel the pain her body was in. Her head was throbbing, her muscles were sore, and she just felt weak. She felt defeated. She knew where Lucia was, but couldn't send troops because the Shadow Mansion was too inaccessible. 

She sighed and began, "Astrid found Lucia."

Mahdi's head perked up. "Where is she?"

"She's at Orfeo's Shadow Mansion in the Black Sea."

"We need to go after her."

"But we can't."

"Why not?"

Sera took a big breath before continuing on again. "She's with Orfeo. Astrid said that she was leaving soon, and she won't be there anymore. Plus there is no easy way to transport so many soldiers to attack."

Mahdi let out a long sigh. He knew this. They couldn't risk troops when he knew what was coming. Not to mention they knew that they would send them to their deaths if they went up against Orfeo. They could use them in the battle over Abaddon.

Sera could tell Mahdi was on edge because of it. She grabbed his hand and rubbed his knuckles. The skin was soft there. She could feel the bone underneath the skin. It was soothing to her. To know that it was him sitting next to her. Out of nowhere Mahdi reached into one of his pockets, and pulled out a small ring. 

"They took this off of you while you were out the first time. I was able to get it back, and I thought you would want it back," Mahdi said holding up the ring.

Sera felt for where the ring used to be, and didn't feel it. She looked at Mahdi's hand, and sure enough there was her ring. She reached out to take it, but Mahdi stopped her. Instead he took her hand, and slid it on her finger. He took both of her hands and they looked into each others eyes.

"I know I messed up. I'm sorry that I put you through that again," Sera said quietly.

"Shh. It's okay. We all make mistakes Sera. Yours just scared me. Badly. But I know what it all was for," Mahdi said. "I love you Sera."

"I love you too."

Mahdi kissed the top of Sera's head. "You better get some sleep. You have a full day tomorrow."

Mahdi got up to leave, but Sera stopped him. "Mahdi wait."

"Yeah?"

"Will you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep. Please."

"Of course."

Mahdi swam back to Sera's bedside, and sat back down in the chair. He took Sera's hand, and Sera held tightly onto his. She laid all the down and closed her eyes. It took a while but she soon allowed Mahdi's slow circles on the back of her hand lull her into a sleep.