Bloodlines

Chapter 24: Bruised, Yet Not Broken

Sylvia awoke in a soft, plush white bed. She slowly rolled over, groaning in the process. Her body ached all over. She tucked the duvet cover under her feet, relishing in the protective warmth of the cocoon. She timidly touched her side with her hand, and flinched. Her ribs were bruised terribly, but intact. Her nose was a whole other matter. It had been completely broken from Ava's palm to the face. Someone had placed a plaster over the bridge, in a futile attempt to reduce the swelling. Unfortunately it did not help, and Sylvia could not even breathe through it anymore. It would take some time to heal properly.

Sylvia curled up into a ball, squinting her eyes shut. It had been a while since she had been able to sleep so steadily, and in such comfort. She couldn't even remember the last time she had been in a bed, and even then she had never been in one so luxurious. The silk sheets caressed her bruised skin, light yet warm. She wanted to stay in the cocoon forever, ignoring the outside world, ignoring all her problems that awaited her on the other side of the bedroom door.

If only she was so lucky.

Sylvia heard the door slowly creak open, a sliver of light being let in that illuminated the room. She saw the room walls and roof were curved, rocky, with small stalagtites hanging just out of reach. Despite the damp appearance, the room was cozy and above all, warm.

"Sylvia, you awake?" Aliyah whispered tentatively. Sylvia groaned in response, encouraging Aliyah to crack open the door a fraction further and slipping inside. He limped over to the bed, and sat slowly down on the edge. Aliyah was in no better shape that Sylvia. His skin was split in several places, with large gashes being held together with stitch tape. Dark purple bruises spread across their face. Even their tree branch was somewhat splintered and broken. They both were a mess.

Aliyah squinted as they sat slowly, their legs aching from exhaustion. However, they let out a long sigh of relief as their rear hit the soft cushion of the bed.

"You look like hell," Sylvia said, twisting to look Aliyah in the eyes. Aliyah chuckled in response, then winced at the pain clutching their side. They then rested a hand on Sylvia's hip. Even through her exhaustion, the touch sent electric pulses through her body. It was akin to magic.

"Could say the same about you," they smiled back. Aliyah grunted as she sat up, propped up by her elbows to face Aliyah properly.

"Where is everyone?" She asked, coughing. Aliyah scooted backwards to allow her to sit up properly, even offering a hand to help her up which she accepted.

"Downstairs. Dirella has been ravenous ever since we got back. The magic really took it out of her," Aliyah said, standing up. Sylvia swung her legs out of the bed, her bare feet meeting the cold, solid rock floor beneath her. Even though they were in a cave, the floor felt clean and smooth.

"And the orb?" Sylvia panicked. Last thing she remembered, the orb had been in her posession. The mere thought of the vampires having it again in their clutches brought her to a sweat.

"It is here, as well as your tiara," Aliyah offered an elbow, to which Sylvia linked her arm around theirs. She sighed in relief. She wasn't too worried about the tiara, but was glad that it too had made it back with them. The pair hobbled out of the room, resembling an old weary couple rather than the young spritely warriors they were.

Outside the room there was a long hallway. On one side was more rocky outcrop wall, with various doors leading to what Sylvia assumed was more bedrooms. There were four in total. On the other side was a small balcony ledge, which opened out into the living room. Sylvia waddles up to it, placing her hands on the ledge for balance and stability. She looked down at the open plan living area, which housed a lush purple high pile rug. White couches were spaced evenly around a wooden coffee table, where a small lush plant sat atop.