Our Second World book three: Personal Truth

Chapter 33: Wolf

I had been talking with Khirion in his office when I got the news. Without taking time to excuse myself, I practically sprinted to Nephinae's room.

"What happened?" I demanded, spying Miafilellie standing in the room when I entered.

"I have no idea. She seemed fine this morning," the lady answered." She just suddenly collapsed."

I sighed," of course she did."

"I-I'm sorry?"

"I tried to tell her this morning, but someone wouldn't listen," I huffed, walking over to the side of the bed. I sighed again." How is she?"

"She seemed to be in some pain earlier, but I believe she's sleeping now. Though she does have a high fever despite our attempts to lower it," Sugo said. Up until she had spoken, the red haired maid had been practically invisible behind Miafilellie.

"I'm not surprised," I sighed." She's been pushing herself too hard."

"Will Nephi be alright?" Miafilellie asked, her voice full of worry.

I nodded," don't worry. As long as she rests she should be better tomorrow."

Miafilellie let out a relieved sigh," that's good. I'm glad."

"We will take our leave now, then," Sugo said with a bow," Come, my lady."

Miafilellie gave a small bow and followed the red head out of the room. When they were gone, I closed the door and walked over to the bed. Nephinae was curled up under her covers with a damp rag draped over her forehead. I moved over to the window and cracked it open slightly to let in some cold air.

"I know what you're going to say," Nephinae mumbled when I walked back to the bed." It was stupid of me to go out today. I haven't recovered yet, and I should've stayed here."

"Well, as long as you understand that, I'm not going to chew you out about it."

"I'm not a child you know," she huffed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's hard to tell when you act like one," I teased.

"I am not!"

"You were," I said.

"Maybe a little this morning."

"You're doing it right now."

"Am not."

"You're pouting because you're mad I was right."

"Am not."

"Are too," I smirked.

"Shut up!" Nephinae hurtled one of her many pillows at me.

"Make me." I ducked as she threw another pillow at me. It thumped against the back of the couch." Well, if you can throw that well then maybe you're not as helpless as I thought."

"If you're going to be a jerk then why don't you go do something else?" Nephinae shot back picking up another pillow.

"Ok, ok, fine. I'm sorry, just stop throwing things at me."

Nephinae put the pillow down and pointed to the door," go find something to do," she said." I don't care what just leave me alone."

She didn't sound mad, but I knew I had gone too far this time. I didn't say anything as I left.

"Maybe I should apologize later," I thought as I wandered down the hall.

I ended up wandering around the house for most of the day. When time came for dinner I grabbed something to eat from the kitchen before heading out to the back garden to eat. It was about seven o'clock now, so the sun had set a while ago. I ate my food quietly and quickly. Enjoying the peace and quiet of the dark garden. After I finished eating, I cleared away some snow under one of the trees. I didn't mind that my shirt was getting wet as I lay down in the cold, damp grass looking up at the near starless sky through the gaps in the bare branches of the tree.