Page 88 of Frost and Death
Small flickers of light peek in through the curtains, hinting morning was near, yet it did nothing to force an ounce of movement. Worried my whereabouts would be noted if I left the room, I remain on my side, curling into myself with my knees tucked close.
My thoughts wander over everything thatalmosthappened, including everything Jerrick said prior to his harsh departure. I fell deep down into my thought’s own Oblivion, hating the sense of rejection. I was left wanting from Jerrick’s touch, desperately trying to remember Niko. Instead, I was teased and starved from Jerrick pinching my nipple and kissing my neck.
But that wasn’t what kept me up all night.
No, it was what he said that had forced the world to stop.
Why did he saycursewith such hatred?
He couldn’t think that his magic is a curse like me. Could he?
A lifting latch sweeps away the thought, and my heart leaps at him returning, of seeking answers from him.
Yet I am let down when Dorit’s form fills the doorway.
She wears a day gown dyed deep blue, with the seams lined in a pale blue, and her hair is in thick plaits, taming the enviable waves. She rests her hip against the doorway, her arms folding in concern.
“Are you alright, Tove?”
The pity in her voice should make me upset, but it only increases my guilt over ruining everything last night. I was nervous, confused, and angry. But I can’t seem to shake the dooming thought of Jerrick breaking his word.
My heart sinks at the thought, realizing I did not even last a day in this arrangement before ruining my chances of helping Axidoria. I can’t fight the emotions taking over me.
I break, turning away from Dorit when she catches the first tear falling.
Her touch on my shoulder pulls me to face her, pity lining her features. She wraps her arms around me, holding me as I tremble.
I work through each tremor, erring on the side of caution so my magic won’t awaken.
The normal overpowering scent of roses suffocates me, and I am thankful for the inhale of fresh air when she helps me stand. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
“He just…left,” I confess, careful of sharing more than I need to.
Anything I say can always be reported back to him.
Dorit presses her lips together, as if she, too, is unsure of what to make of his actions. “Let’s get you to your chambers, alright?”
I nod and hold her hand, too exhausted from thinking. I want to leave this room and the memory of failure behind.
Dorit keeps me close. While she might be trying to console me, I can’t help the suspicious thought of her being near is a way of keeping figurative chains around me.
When we make it to my chambers, the small comfort eases my racing worries.
“Do you want me to check your wound?” Dorit asks.
I nod, knowing it needed to be checked sooner rather than later.
“Let’s see if we can get away with having the bandage off from now on,” she says as I remove my dress, allowing her to lift the bandage.
She touches me close to the healing area, and I flinch at the contact of her fingertips. “Did I hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No. Your hands are cold. They startled me is all.”
She hums, resuming her examination of my back, peeling away the bandage more. “I think you should be good to not wear the bandage. Try moving your shoulder around. Let’s check the stitching to see if it bleeds.”
I proceed to shrug, rotating my arm carefully, and a slight tug pulls the stitching on my back.
She nods in satisfaction. “Yeah, let’s do without the bandage.” Dorit turns, grabbing a day gown for me to wear today.
