Wake of Darkness [1]

Chapter Nineteen

♕ Mourning Moon ♕

The sun was bright and strong but Aubrette did no longer feel the need to trash and tore the covers from around her. As she opened her eyes and saw the room lightening up in front of her eyes, she thought for the first time that daylight might be as equal a blessing as darkness.

Her breath was heavy, and she could barely feel her heart beating against her chest. She tried to lift from the bed but couldn't. Aubrette felt the sting on her stomach, the ache that begged her to lay down again, and did not fight against it.

"You're awake" Aubrette turned towards the door. Sitting there was Asher. He seemed different. Aubrette tried to sit a little bit straighter, pushing past the pain.

Asher looked... not himself. The prince clothes were not the same refined straight clothes she'd gotten used to seeing him in, he looked like he'd just rolled out of bed. His hair seemed less bright, much messier than usual, his eyes less powerful.

"How long was I not?" Aubrette asked, not sure if she was ready to hear the answer.

"Almost five days" he said, and just stared at her. Aubrette nodded, counting how far into the month they were. If her numbers were right, tonight was mourning moon. She did not stop to think about it. Mourning moon was the least important thing right now.

"Is everyone okay?" Aubrette could see the ghost of a grin on his face as the words left his lips.

Asher nodded. "Thanks to you"

"How bad is it?" She said, laying back on the bed. Brushing her fingertips against the tight bandages that surrounded all of her stomach.

"Bad." He said and stood. His hands on the pockets of his pants. He looked younger, not like the strong arrogant prince she saw him as. "We tried our best to heal the skin but I'm afraid its gonna take a long time to recover fully" Aubrette nodded.

"So it wasn't just a regular injury?" Silence.

"The wound was magic bound. If we hadn't helped you in time..." The worst were left hanging in the air between them but Aubrette knew exactly what he meant. A shiver went down her spine. Lucky. She was so damn lucky to be alive. Even when it didn't feel right. Didn't feel like a win at all.

Before either could say anything, the door opened, and all of the Aureums entered the room. Their faces morphing in shock as they saw Aubrette sitting on the bed.

"Thank the sun" Vereena said and rushed to her side of the bed, wrapping her arms around her neck. "I thought I'd never get to thank you" she said letting her go, Aubrette let out a small laugh. "But first" she said, wiping the smile of her face. "What in the nine hells were you thinking?" she yelled. Aubrette smiled. "You could've died! I could have taken it! Should have taken it"

Behind her Raven rolled her eyes. "Thank you, Bree Trueheart. You saved what's dearest to me. I'll never forget it." Aubrette felt a knot on her throat form as the four remaining girls placed her hands on her feet, their marks slightly shinning onto her skin.

"She might not like it, but we take care after one another and..." Nova said taking a breath. "I'm sorry I judged you before. It'd be an honor for you to join us if that's what you'd like"

Aubrette smiled at her.

"That means a lot to me" she said and felt it deep in her heart.

"Okay now that we've solved that" said Vereena grinning and crawling into the bed. "From one to nine, how is your pain?"

"A four?" Aubrette said, placing a bit of pressure on her skin. Vereena clapped excitedly beside her.

"So you'll come with us to falling starlight?" she said, her eyes lightening.