Joined (The Secret World Of Atlantis 4)

Chapter 12 - Patient Flora

To say we were famished, is an understatement. I don’t even know how I was able to keep standing on my feet, since I’ve overused my magic powers. I mean, at least I think I did. Or better said, that’s what should have happened, considering that usually even a slightly advanced spell made me dizzy, if I was hungry. So, how was I able to fly from Dairelis to the Gray Woods, merge my powers with the others to seal a portal, and then even knock a pack of werewolves out all at once?

Well, that’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. Even I found myself on the edge from time to time, I don’t know how you didn’t get close to hibernation, Eros remarks inside my head, as we’re sitting by the table, waiting to get dessert served.

I look at him, a curious gaze inside my eyes. So … I’m getting stronger than an actual God is? Talk about wicked, I respond, smirking at him. Nothing can ruin my mood now. Despite Zara escaping, I am more than pleased that we were able to ruin her plans for getting back. But the major reason behind my cheerfulness is of course the fact, that Flora will be alright.

Eros shakes his head at me, barely moving it so everyone else but me is oblivious about it. I can’t believe you. This is serious. Why are things changing? What is happening with your powers? You know, I was starting to get worried, when I saw you literally burning at the Winter Solstice Ball. I didn’t think about it much, though. I thought it must have simply been your anger getting the best of you. But this today? That fire was nothing compared to what you’ve done. I’ve never even seen such strange magic until now, he says, making me frown.

Now you’re the one worrying too much. Don’t you think we’ve had enough excitement for one day? Let’s just relax and get some rest. We deserve to unwind a little after everything we’ve been through, I tell him, surprised that I’m not freaking out over my new powers. However, that’s the last thing I would think of right now. They seem like they’re supposed to be growing like this. I don’t know how or why I’m so sure of that, but they just seem right.

I suppose you’re right … But that doesn’t mean you should take this so easily. Promise, that you will try to find out the source of that strange power. Only then I’ll be able to rest peacefully, he demands, making me sigh softly.

Okay, fine. I will. Does that make you feel better now? I ask, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at his sudden seriousness. He nods in response, the corners of his mouth travelling upwards in satisfaction.

Remarkably better, he confirms my words, making me smirk.

You’re unbelievable, I remark. This time I’m the one shaking my head. Then, I suddenly get an idea. Hey, I know we’ve been told that Flora needs to rest, but I would really like to visit her. Do you think that she’ll be awake before dinner? I wonder, making Eros think for a moment, before he answers.

Well, I don’t know … She might be, she might not be, he simply responds, making me breathe out in frustration.

I am asking because I want you to come with me! And everyone else for that matter. I want to let Flora know that we’re thinking about her and that she’s deeply appreciated, I declare, explaining the true intention behind my question. Eros sends me a pointed look.

Then why didn’t you just say so? he wants to know, his face suddenly full of confusion. Oh, for the love of Olympus. I never thought one could be misunderstood by their own bonded, who is supposed to read their every thought.

You know, I thought you knew what I think and feel at all times, since we have the bond and everything, I remark, raising an eyebrow at him. Eros sighs, his eyes jumping to the servants, who come bringing desserts in big glasses.

I do, but sometimes you have so much stuff on your mind, that I have to read between the lines. And I don’t always succeed, as you might have already noticed, he answers me, turning his gaze back to me. I smile. It’s a good thing Aphrodite has returned our bond. I just love talking to him like this.

As father suggested, we all retire for the afternoon and get some rest in our chambers. But no matter how hard I try, I simply can’t fall asleep. I keep my eyes closed, out of sheer stubbornness, but all the time that I stay in bed, I don’t fall asleep. Not even for a few minutes. When I get enough of everything, I get up and head towards the stables.

I find Silver right where he always is, and I open his door to let him out. I notice the stableboy staring at me with wide eyes, but he doesn’t say anything. He must be new. I haven’t seen him around before and most of them are already used to me letting Silver out every time I come for a visit.

I tell him everything that’s happened today, starting with the possibility of untangling the meaning behind the prophecy. As I talk, we take a stroll through the gardens, heading towards the ocean. The snow that had fallen yesterday, has already melted throughout the day. But it’s still cold enough, that it turned to a thin layer of ice, that is crunching beneath my feet and Silver’s hoofs, as we walk.

In the heat of telling my tale, I manage to slip on it so many times, that I soon lose counting. One time, Silver even has to catch me with one of his wings, so I don’t land flat on my bottoms. But I barely even notice that, because I’m just telling him about how Zara managed to escape us. He seems proud, when I reveal that I’ve used his idea of merging magical powers to put our own seal onto the portal.

As I tell him about how Flora got bitten and my strange magical powers, I expect him to have some sort of an insight into why I’m suddenly getting so strong. But nothing. He seems even more surprised about it than Eros.

How curious. I’ve never heard anyone describing their powers this way … And you’re saying they didn’t resemble the elements at all? he asks, making me shake my head in response.

Nope. I’ve told you, it was like electricity, I repeat myself, only to realize Silver hasn’t ever been on Earth. He probably has no idea what electricity is. I’m so sorry, I keep mentioning this word without telling you what it is. Humans use it to light up their houses and lots of other things. But I won’t talk about that because it’s only going to confuse you. The thing about electricity is, it can be a very dangerous source of power. You can get shocked by it and the trembling you experience is very similar to what I did to those werewolves today, I explain, making the Pegasus contemplate my words for a long moment, before responding.

I get what you’re trying to say. Thank you for the explanation, even if I am clueless about humans, he says, pausing for a moment as we reach the ocean. The sky is still gray, and the water is only reflecting its colour. I miss the usually vivid sight of it. I can’t wait for winter to be over.

I keep Silver company for a bit more time before we return to the stables. We don’t talk much, but instead decide to enjoy each other’s presence in silence. It’s been a while since we were alone. Usually, Eros is with us as well.

As I hug my Pegasus goodbye, it is already getting dark outside. I am just about to go find Eros and the others when I see them talking on the hallway. I join them and we head over to the emergency room, where we left Flora.

Suddenly, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous as we walk down the hallway, where the room is situated. I mean, I can’t know for sure how Flora is going to react when she sees us. What if she’s going to be mad at us because she’s the only one who caught it, while we all got away from the fight without a scratch? Or even worse, what is she isn’t just resting, what if she is in a coma?

But the moment I open the door and light a flame in my hand, I can hear her shifting in bed. I send the fire flying across the room, lighting the torches all around the walls. The space is now clearly visible to our eyes, and Flora grunts softly as the light reaches her closed eyes.

She squints, putting a hand on her forehead to make some shadow and allow her vision to get adjusted to the light. “Who is it?” she asks in a weak voice, as we make our way over to her.

“It’s me, Arya. There’s also Emilia, Demitri, Eros and Elena. We came to see how you’re doing,” I say, holding my breath in expectation as I finish.

It takes her a while to get used to the light, but as she finally removes the hand from her face, I notice a hint of a smile on her face. “How … How kind of you,” she breathes out, making me stare at her for a long moment, blinking in surprise. Did I hear that correctly?

I quickly compose myself, putting a friendly expression on my face, as I get closer to her bed. “You had us worried there for a moment. How is the leg doing?” I ask, hoping that talking about the injury isn’t too overwhelming for her.

But she doesn’t seem to be bothered by that. She pulls the covers away and lifts the hem of the dress, revealing her still swollen leg. I already furrow my eyebrows in worry, when she starts explaining: “The healers told me they managed to get the werewolf poison out of the wound, so it’s clean now. But they couldn’t heal it because the antidote would stop working then. It needs to clean my blood of the poison before they can continue.”

“Well … That doesn’t sound half as bad as I thought it would,” Elena suddenly speaks up, making Flora glance at her with an odd look on her face. But I probably just find it odd, because I’m not used to seeing Flora so unusually friendly.

“Are you kidding? I’m alive, and I get to keep my leg. Which part of that sounds bad to you?” she asks in her usual sassy tone. Right, there she is, I already find myself thinking. But then, she chuckles as she notices the offended expression on Elena’s face. My best friend widens her eyes in surprise, looks at me in complete shock, then turns back to Flora.

“What antidote did they give you? I think it’s doing something to your brain,” she tells her. I can barely keep myself from laughing, while Eros, Demitri and Emilia don’t even try to hide their smirks of amusement.

I look at Flora, who seems to find Elena’s questions funny as well, but the smile slowly starts fading from her face. She stares at the ceiling for a long moment, making the atmosphere go from relaxed to semi-grim. I watch her cautiously, desperately wanting to know what is going on inside her head right now.

“It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?” she says, breaking the tense silence inside the room. I share a few glances with the others, before turning back to my cousin. Her eyes have turned glassy in the short moment that I spent looking away from her, and she is still staring at the ceiling.

“Flora, Elena was only making a joke. Please, don’t be mad at her. She didn’t mean any harm,” I explain in a gentle tone, hoping that we didn’t ruin this visit already. She stays silent again, and I watch her eyes. They seem to be filled with tears already, but she doesn’t let a single one slip down her cheeks. It’s astonishing how much self-control she has. I already mean to reach out to her, put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but change my mind in the last minute. I’m not sure we’re on that phase already. “Hey, is everything alright? Are you in pain? Say something,” I encourage her, my heart beating somewhere inside my throat as I wait for her to answer.

But what she says next, leaves everyone stunned. “I wish I would have died.”