Ascending Light

Interruption

He woke in their cell, groggy and disoriented. He glanced around and saw Shimmer and the young fae playing on the other side of the cell. Next to him was Skye who sat crossed legged, turned enough so he could watch the children play with Shimmer but still see Crysen out of the corner of his eye. He was holding Crysen's hand and for a moment he watched a tear streak down the storm fae's face. He reached up with the hand Skye wasn't holding and brushed it away.

Skye gave a start and wheeled around. "Crysen, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Like he'd been run over by a wild borkus and stabbed with its tusks. "I'll be fine," he replied softly.

He tried to sit up but Skye pushed him back and shook his head. "You need to rest."

Instead of saying anything back, he opened his arms for the hug he'd wanted. Skye stared at him in shock before leaning down and wrapping his arms around Crysen tightly. "I'm glad you're okay, Crysen. I was so worried."

Shimmer appeared over Skye's shoulder and Crysen gave him a tiny smile. As Skye moved back, Crysen held out his arms for Shimmer. Shimmer eyes filled with tears but he sank to the floor and wrapped Crysen into another tight hug. "We missed you. I'm glad you're back. What happened?"

Crysen shrugged. "Zacesi used his shadow tendrils to punish me. How long was I gone?"

Shimmer and Skye exchanged a glance. "You were gone for two days," Skye said finally.

"Two days," Crysen echoed in shock. He tried to wrap his head around that little fact. It had felt like an eternity during the punishment but he thought it hadn't been but a few hours. Apparently, he had underestimated himself.

Skye frowned as he traced one of the cuts from the briars. "I was so angry when they didn't bring you back, Crysen. I even punched one of the guards and threw a bowl at another one. I was whipped for it but I didn't care."

Crysen's eyes widened and he gripped Skye's face in shock. "I told you not to do anything to get yourself punished, Skye!"

Skye shrugged and moved away from Crysen to sit. "You weren't here to make the anger go away. Shimmer and the kids can't do it like you do."

Confusion coursed through him at this statement. "What do you mean I make the anger go away?" All he did was talk Skye down and stroke his hair. Shimmer could certainly do that.

Skye's lip poked out for a moment. "I mean whenever I'm angry you just give me that soft little smile and it melts away like ice. Or your voice whenever you talk it's soothing and it makes me feel better. I don't know." He crossed his arms and looked away, blushing slightly.

What did that mean? He looked over at Shimmer. The frost fae answered his thoughts before he spoke them. "You are exceptional at comforting people, Crysen. You have a tranquil aura about you that makes everyone around you feel calm and serene. I don't know how else to describe it."

"I thought you were the one with the tranquil aura, Shimmer. All I do is pray to the light."

Shimmer let out a laugh and shook his head. "I'm only tranquil because you are. Whenever you weren't here I was a borderline nervous wreck. It was hard to keep the kids calm when I wasn't."

Crysen looked at Skye, who was still embarrassed but watching them curiously. "I'm back now so no more tantrums and we'll all behave." Skye shuffled closer and laid down next to Crysen facing away from him. Crysen took that as an agreement. He looked at Shimmer who shrugged.

They weren't disturbed for a couple days, except for meals. Skye wasn't sent down to serve the banquet hall either, which was slightly odd but no one seemed to care. For the first day Crysen didn't get up, only allowed his body to heal and prayed to the light. The kids were a nice distraction from where they played with Shimmer and Skye. He watched them whenever he wasn't praying and was glad to see them enjoying themselves.