Changeling

Chapter 15

Cason moved so quickly across the cave that he appeared next me cradling Ariton's head before I could even drop to my knees at his side. Ariton was conscious, but not lucid and rambling in some language I didn't understand. It was becoming an unhealthy pattern that one of us had to be incapacitated at all times.

"Calliope, the water," Cason pointed to the leather bladder tied at Ariton's waist.  It was connected to his belt with a latigo that I fumbled to loosen.  My dexterity was still limited but I felt no pain, only mild stiffness as my fingers worked.

"Here," I passed the bladder to Cason who promptly put it to Ariton's lips.  He sipped at it weakly, more water traveling down his cheek and mixing with the sweat on the ground than traveling down his throat.

"What is wrong with him?" I asked Cason urgently.

"Too much time on Earth, Princess.  It's weakened him so much that his body can't handle harnessing magic.  If we don't do something soon, he will die."

"Too much time on Earth? What do you mean?"

"He's been there for months watching over you.  Fey can't handle the toxins in the environment there. Too much iron and silver and citrus."

"Citrus?"  Ok, I could accept iron and silver. There was some mythology that made it less outlandish, but citrus? 

"Yes, citrus." He said dismissively .  "We don't have citrus in Eden.  Humans use cleaners full of lemon, lime and orange oils.  It's highly toxic to fey."  Cason located a cloth that he soaked with water then pressed to Ariton's forehead.

This was my fault. He was on Earth, because of me.  Somehow I'd known he was always there. Even when he winked out of existence he was still there, lying low somewhere in an invisible state, using his magic, killing himself so he could watch over me.  His persistence to never give up on me greatly influenced how I felt for him now, but I wasn't worth dying for. 

I sat at Ariton's side looking over his face while Cason pressed the damp cloth to his head. His features had become sharper somehow. His high cheekbones were more prominent accentuating the dark sunken shallows around his eyes.  I pressed the back of my hand to one of his cheeks. He was burning up.  A thought came to me. Something didn't make sense.

"How did I survive on Earth? I'm supposed to be like him, aren't I?" I held onto Ariton's hand and gave him a gentle squeeze.  He didn't return the gesture. 

"I told Ariton he should have told you?" Cason said in a displeased tone.

"Told me what?"

Cason shook his head in vexation

"What?! What is it that he should have told me?" An anxious knot formed in my throat. Was there something wrong with me?

Cason stared at me. His eyes conveyed an internal struggle. He didn't want to betray his friend but he couldn't lie to me either. He emptied his lungs with a giant breath as if to purge all parts of himself that were opposed to sharing what he was about to share with me. Then he spoke.

"You're not full Fey. The Tulpic part of you allowed you to survive on Earth."   I gave him a questioning look.

"MyTul-pic part?" 

"You're Melrennon's daughter."

I raised an eyebrow at him.  "And That's supposed to mean something to me?"  Cason stared up at the cave ceiling exhaling an irritated groan.  I felt as if it was directed more at Ariton than myself.  

"He was King of The Others. Your mother, Azariah, is an Augury like Ariton. But the other half of you is like me.  And we do not feel the effects of Earth's toxins like the fey, Princess." Oh...Melrennon.... King of the Others. Princess. It was making sense now.  But...