The Elvin Ball

Part 12

Sophie POV

Sophie woke up to Elwin standing over her inspecting her with his too-large spectacles.

Sophie gasped when the light hit her eyes. She squinted, "Elwin?"

Elwin grinned. "Sophie!" he said, tearing up.

"What happened?" 

Elwin stopped, "Well, while you were at the Neverseen's base Fitz accidentally-"

"No, no, I remember that part." Sophie said uncomfortably.

Elwin nodded. "Well then they got me, and I managed to move you here. Your heart stopped at some point, but we got it going again. After that we sedated you for awhile." he said, his voice cracking at the 'heart stopped' part.

"How long?"

"You were out for 2 weeks."

Sophie flinched. "Okay, where is he?"

"Fitz? He's at Telepathy."

Sophie shook her head. "No, Keefe."

Elwin sighed. "He's right outside. He's been here for the past two weeks. He wouldn't leave."

Sophie stopped.

Keefe stayed there for her?

"And Grady and Edaline are very worried too. And Sandor got back from his vacation and now insists he is never leaving you again."

Sophie sighed. Sandor had gone on a short vacation before the ball because Grady, Edaline, and Sophie had insisted he take a break. Maybe not the best idea.

Sophie glanced down at her lower chest, where the dagger had been. 

"You were lucky, you know."

Sophie looked up at Elwin, who was inspecting her wound.

"It hit just below your heart, and luckily just missed it. A week more of bed rest and you'll be okay, besides a scar. I can make an elixir for that though. But it won't fade completely." Elwin said sadly.

"That's okay, I don't mind."

Sophie heard a distant banging.

Elwin looked up. "I better let Keefe in. He must know you're awake."

Sophie nodded, and Elwin left to let Keefe in.

Her mind drifted to a faint dream she had before she was sedated.

"I love you, Sophie." 

those had been the dreamy words Keefe said to her.

They felt so real though.

But nothing that amazing could ever be real.

Sophie's thought's were interrupted by Keefe running in.

"Foster!"

Keefe had dark bags under his eyes, and he looked like he had been crying. His shirt looked like it needed to be changed, and he looked like he needed a shower, but overall he was still the same, handsome Keefe.

Keefe ran up to her and gave her a huge hug.

"You're okay, Foster! Oh my gosh I thought I lost you and-"

"I missed you too, Keefe."

Keefe smiled. "I am so glad you're okay. I don't know what I'd do without you." he said.

"It's nice to see your face, Keefe." Sophie whispered.

Keefe smirked, "It is a nice sight." 

Sophie slapped him. "Keefe!"

Keefe jumped back, feeling his face, where Sophie had left a red handprint.

Sophie looked slightly smug.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

"I was really close to dying that time, wasn't I?" Sophie asked, scared.

Keefe nodded. "Too close," he said, fearfully. " you really bring new meaning to 'almost dying' ."

Sophie sighed. "I guess I do."

"And now the council's insisting you have even more bodyguards."

Sophie groaned. "But I already have 5! They just thought I'd be safe at Everglen."

Keefe nodded. "I know."

"How many more do they want to give me???"

Keefe smirked, barely holding in a laugh. "They haven't decided on a specific number yet, but they're thinking 50."

"50????"

Keefe doubled over in laughter. "Yeah. But hey, now you really would have a fierce Foster army! Or fierce foster 50. I'll help you decorate the armor! I'm thinking sparkles."

Sophie groaned.

Keefe laughed and hugged her again.

A moment later Keefe pulled away. "Er, um...Foster? I have a question."

Sophie blinked, not used to seeing Keefe so flustered. 

"Um..I," he continued, "I was wondering if you want to have a picnic or something sometime. And you don't have to say yes, it's fine if you don't , I just thought it might be fun. Like, in a few days or something"

Sophie blushed. Internally she was squealing, but she tried to be calm.

"Er, I can't."

Keefe deflated. "Oh it's okay. It was a stupid question." he said, heading for the door.

"Wait, Keefe! It's not cause I don't want to, but I'm on bed rest for a week."

Keefe perked up again. "Oh yeah, of course! When you're of bed rest then?"

Sophie smiled, blushing. "I would like that."

Keefe looked relieved. "Okay! And um, Elwin might kill me if I keep you from your rest anymore, so see you later, Foster!"

"See you later, Keefe."