The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 64 - Forgiveness

Elissa awakes and is momentarily disorientated. This isn't my bed.

The gentle sounds of breathing alert her that someone is laying next to her. She turns over and a soft woollen blanket slides down off her shoulders, revealing that she is still wearing yesterday's dress. That fact melts into insignificance at the sight of Aren.

For a moment her heart stutters at how close she came to losing him. His face has lost its deathly pallor and the steady rise and fall of his chest reassures her that he is sleeping peacefully.

Over by the other side of the bed, Aren's brother, Leo is slumped in an arm chair with his neck at an awkward angle and his long legs stretched out.

Her gaze returns to Aren. Despite looking better than when she found him, which admittedly isn't hard, there are signs that his health has suffered since they parted. There are dark bags beneath his eyes, he has gained weight and his skin is blotchy.

Hovering a hand over his chest, she detects a build up of toxins in his liver and lowers her palm to his chest to reverse the damage.

"Oh, Aren. You really haven't been looking after yourself." She hadn't meant to say it out loud.

Leo's voice startles her. "He fell apart after you left."

As if a dam had broken, her emotions rush over her like floodwater and tears stream down her face. Leo hurries around to her side of the bed and enfolds her in his arms. "Hey. This was not of your doing."

"I think I'm cursed. Any man who tries to love me ends up dead or hurt."

"What happened?" Leo asks in a broken whisper.

"H-he drowned," she confesses.

Leo's mouth goes slack with horror and he swallows as a tremor runs through his muscular frame.

She places a hand on his thigh. "I brought him back. I couldn't let Hades take him. So much pain wrought by one malevolent spirit. Think what damage he would wreak upon us if the barrier should ever fall."

Leo stares down at his brother. "Will he be ... alright?"

"Keep him away from alcohol and make sure that he eats well and that he flies every day."

"H-he cannot fly." Leo hangs his head, as if weighed by the mere thought.

"I have freed Aquila," she states and satisfied that Aren is in safe hands, rises. "I really must call home."

She strides into Aren's sitting room and comes to an abrupt stop by the surreal sight before her. The way out is blocked by a group of four young oaks trees, tall enough that their branches brush the ceiling. At their base, what was once a table top is hidden under a mass of roots.

"Hmm."

The leaves rustle at the sound of her voice. With a flick of her wrist, double doors open out on to a stone balcony. The oak quartet rises and floats through the air, but it is no mean feat getting them through the aperture.

Leo comes over to watch and laughs, saying, "I would aid you if I could. Alas, I would only hinder you."

Boughs bend and twigs screech against glass as the mass finally squeezes out. She gently lowers it to the roof terrace and pats the nearest trunk. The bark beneath her fingers quivers happily.

"I'll get you settled soon."

Worried about them being exposed, grey clouds answer her call, gathering overhead and bathing the balcony in soft rain. When she steps back into the apartment, she is faced with Aren's mother, Ulrica. The queen's shoulders are rigid and her face holds no warmth.