Treasured

11)

Wren's P. O. V.

I was laying down after lunch since I was so fatigued after morning lessons. Mr. Price was very kind to let me skip the language lessons, and he'd been giving me the easier chores so I wouldn't be completely overwhelmed.

It had only been an hour or so when I heard doors slamming and Cedar's voice rising in another room down the hall. I couldn't tell what he was saying, but he definitely sounded unhappy.

I slipped from the bed and hobbled across the room and out into the hall. Following the sounds, I ended up near Cedar's chambers and the words became clearer.

"No! I don't want to see her!" Cedar was all but shouting.

"Cedar, can we calm down for a moment?" Someone else suggested.

I knocked on the door, but the noise was too loud for them to hear. I knew they might want some privacy, but I needed to know that they would be alright first. If they wanted me to go, then I would, but I needed to put my mind at peace otherwise I'd worry myself sick. With my mind made up, I timidly pushed the door open, just as Cedar lost his temper.

"There is no we, June! I'm the one who has to face that witch! You know what she did to me. You know what happened..." Cedar yelled through his tears.

Something flew at the space where the door had been only seconds before, but I had no time to dodge. I yelped just before a heavy book smacked into my face, making me crumple to the floor instantly. Something wet and slick slipped down my chin, and dark red splotches splattered onto my favorite white shirt.

"Oh my God! Wren..." June gasped, rushing to my side and tilting my head up.

Cedar's eyes were wide, and all the color that had risen during his fight had drained away, leaving him shaky and pale.

"Let me see," June insisted, cupping my face and pressing a handkerchief to my nose.

Cedar looked shaken and afraid, and I knew he was blaming himself for the accident. I knew it wasn't his fault but June was fussing like a worried mother hen. I let June take a look since I didn't know how bad it was.

As soon as the bleeding had stopped I pulled away, wincing as an ache began to blossom. Cedar was still frozen and silent, berating himself internally.

"Can you walk, or do you want someone to carry you to your room?" June inquired, a worried expression dimming his face.

I pointed to Cedar without hesitation, earning a surprised, but approving look from June. Cedar backed away, shaking his head adamantly.

"Cedar, come on, it's the least you can do," June guilt tripped him.

"I just hit him in the face with a dictionary, June!" Cedar protested.

"Which was nobody's fault," June calmly stated. "It was an accident."

"I should've kept my temper," Cedar reprimanded himself.

I was beginning to feel sore and really tired, and my body wasn't letting me hide it anymore. I began to tremble slightly from cold and fatigue, and I found myself leaning against June for balance and warmth.

"Wren?" June sounded slightly alarmed. "What's happening? Are you feeling ill?"

Cedar's golden gaze snapped to me, and within moments he had scooped me up into his arms. I shivered against him as his body heat seeped into my chilled skin.

"I'll get him to his room," Cedar hurriedly stated, "You make him some tea and give him a dose of medicine just in case he's relapsing. Robin said he had a sore throat yesterday."