~.✧ Ethira ✧.~ [COMPLETE]

~.✧ twenty-one ✧.~

Varien and I stayed a couple more days at the Border Palace, letting the healer attend to him. And even though he wasn't feeling his complete best, he insisted we leave sooner rather than later. With the documents signed and an official war declared, he claimed he needed to get back to Ethira fast and explain what was going on to his mother and Advisory Panel. While I knew he was right, it was hard to see him in pain as we packed up and hit the road in the middle of the night.

We arrived back in Ethira after what felt like a long journey, Varien struggling the whole time but insistent that we keep going. Mirellia stood on the palace steps, waiting for our arrival.

Servants immediately began to bring in our trunks and guards disinfiled their ranks now that they were comfortably at home again. The two of us—hand in hand so that I could support Varien in his lingering weak state—began climbing the stairs. But Mirellia met us halfway.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. I assumed this meant she received my letters explaining his condition.

Varien's brow furrowed slightly. "Mostly just tired."

I bit my cheek, knowing it was more than that. He couldn't hide his pain from me.

And apparently he couldn't hide it from his mother either, because she took his arm on his other side and said, "Let's get you inside and to bed."

He shook his head. "I can't, miedre. There's much to be prepared."

Though Mirellia looked as if she wanted to argue with him, she simply nodded and silently helped me get him up the steps. She understood as well as anyone that a country's conflicts waited for no one, including her son and his health.

After a painfully long walk to Varien's study, he was finally able to sit down. I stood next to him, inspecting his features. He looked so worn down and I hated it. But there was little I could do now but make sure he was taking the remedies the healer supplied.

"Dear," Mirellia whispered in my ear as Varien slowly set to work. I turned to look at her and she tilted her head toward the door, her eyes telling me she wished to speak with me.

I glanced at Varien before nodding and following after her.

Sliding into the hall, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it with a deflated sigh, my eyes fluttering shut as the back of my head hit the wooden door.

"You are excused for a moment," she told the two guards standing around Varien's door. They nodded and stepped away.

When they were well out of ear shot, Mirellia neared closer and rubbed my arm. "How are you doing, Asria?"

I wasn't expecting this question so I opened my eyes to meet her genuinely concerned gaze. Despite having put up a bold front the entire journey, I felt the effects weighing heavily on my shoulders.