Adremedian Prince - Chapter 23

James woke at mid-day feeling like something was off. ‘Lilly?’

He received no response.

He got up and felt his way to the edge of the stump where he had been sleeping. Something heavy brushed against his legs and he felt a tug on his sleeve. He stood and felt teeth dig slightly into his hand. Taking a step, he let the animal lead him to a tree before it let go. James felt the rough bark and found a low branch. It was thick and he climbed up. It was wide enough for him to stand on, comfortably, and he found the next branch. This continued until he reached the top.

On hands and knees, James felt around until he found Lilly. Her skin felt cold, though the day was very warm. Lying beside her, he pulled her close to keep her warm. After half hour, nothing seemed to improve. Sitting up, he lifted her off the tree so he could hold her in his lap. He felt the energy given off by the tree increase and her body warmed up. She shivered in his arms and turned into him more. Her head rested on his shoulder and he was soon tracing the four black grooves on the left side of her face. The warmth made him drowsy and he lay down asleep. Lilly woke in the evening and shivered slightly from chills.

‘Lilly?’ James asked.

‘Yes, James?’

‘How are you feeling?’

‘A lot better. How are you feeling?’

‘Content.’

‘Why are you up here?’

‘I woke up feeling like something was wrong and one of the animals led me here. When I got to you, your skin was cold. So, I held you until you warmed up.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Do Adremedians usually get cold while recovering?’

‘Very rarely. When it does happen, the recovery is lengthened for several more days, unless someone can interfere.’

‘What causes it?’

‘Usually it is caused by the body’s unconscious working to keep the healing going. When someone interferes the cold moves to the core and freezes the healing processes so the body can recover and rebuild itself as it should.’

‘Is it harmful?’

‘It depends on what kind of healing is being done. In this case, it could have been.’

James pulled her tighter against his chest as a tear slid down his cheek. ‘Just like my dream,’ he thought.

Lilly raised her head to look at him. ‘Your dream?’ she asked.

‘Don’t worry about it. It was nothing.’

She didn’t argue. Instead she removed the bandage, just to have James catch her wrist.

‘I don’t want you to do anymore.’

‘I can’t stop until it is finished. The tangle of energy in your eyes is directly related to a tangle inside myself. If I am to continue as a healer, I have to fix it.’

‘Then do it later. You’ve just recovered.’

‘That is precisely why I need to do it now.’

Her hands pressed firmly over his eyes and the healing continued. Though it hurt, the movement of energy was gentle and nothing like the tug that had started it all. She had only been working a few minutes when her head rested against his chest. Her hands remained in place and he was about to pull them away.

‘James, don’t. If you stop it now it will only make it worse.’

‘You’re hurting.’

‘It will stop soon enough, just bare with me a little longer.’

James felt the pain increase as energy lines scraped against one another. She had come to a knot and was slowly working it apart. He held her tightly around the waist as she worked. A piece here, a piece there. Finally, she let her hands drop. Picking up the cloth, she started to tie it back into place. James stole it from her.

‘Rest, Lilly.’

‘But…’

‘No, buts. You need to get a good sleep.’

‘All right.’

She moved away a little and laid herself on the tree in front of him.

James’ face felt numb as he tied the cloth back into place. Oddly enough he didn’t feel tired and kept an all night vigil over Lilly, checking every so often that she didn’t turn cold. The early morning birds began to sing when James fell asleep.

James woke with a minor headache and sat up. He flinched when the cloth around his eyes started to come away, but backed away when he felt small hands cover his eyes.

‘Lilly?’ James asked, not entirely sure which young Adremedian had joined them.

‘It’s all right James, he only wants to look.’

‘Okay.’

He stayed still as Sapientiis’ hands covered his eyes again.

Sapientiis moved his hands away after a moment and replaced the cloth. ‘Thank you, James. I’m sorry for my stupidity.’

‘No Sapientiis, thank you.’ James was startled by Sapientiis’ hug, but returned it.

Sapientiis gave Lilly a hug too, before he left.

‘Lilly, how are you feeling today?’ James asked.

‘Numb. You?’ she replied.

‘Concerned for you.’

‘I should be all right.’

She moved to kneel in front of him. Her hand rested on his knee and he pulled her close. Then he lifted her chin and kissed her, long and deep. Lilly pulled away. She felt nervous then confused. He could feel her energetic checking, but the level of her confusion didn’t change. James wasn’t sure what she was checking for, but it wasn’t long before her hands slipped out of his and removed the cloth from around his eyes. Her fingers were cold, but warmed quickly with her energy. The tight knot had loosened some and made it easier for her to untie without causing more pain.

The untangled, free floating, ends hoked back into their proper places. James screamed in pain and he buried his face in Lilly’s lap. Her hands slid under his head to cover his eyes again. James pulled on her wrists to get her hands to move, but she remained firm. She checked for damage, but found none and slowly pulled her energy away. Now James wept. The salty tears felt soothing. Lilly’s hands came out and rubbed his back. His cries continued for sometime until he felt a rush of energy from the tree that pushed him to sleep.

James was up before the sun and felt around for Lilly. ‘Lilly?’

No response.

He was nearer the edge when he found her. She was lying in an odd position. ‘Lilly?’ he asked shaking her. ‘Lilly.’

Leaning close he could still feel her breathing. Carefully, he picked her up and carried her back to the center of the tree. Then using what she taught him, he searched for injures. There was pain, but nothing that seemed to cause it. Her skin was warm and he felt energy rise from the tree. The hours seemed to crawl for James as he waited for Lilly to wake up.

‘Lilly?’ Briar called.

‘Briar?’ James asked.

‘James, where’s Lilly?’

‘Recovering.’

‘From what?’

‘To be honest, I don’t know.’

‘What have you two been doing?’

‘She’s been helping me with my eyes and untying a knot within herself.’

‘Has it been hard?’
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‘A little, but she’s taken time to recover and not overdoing it.’

‘Something doesn’t make sense. I’ll be there as soon as I can.’

‘All right.’

James didn’t like the sound of Briar’s tone. He tried once more to get Lilly to wake up. He got a soft groan with a little movement. He pulled her against his chest and ran his fingers through her hair with an audible sigh.