章節 12: Fond Of A Human (1/2) || Ruith
A long while later, the clouds were merciful, and they closed their pores to spare me the never-ending rain showers. However, it wasn't the lack of patter that had startled me awake, but the sound of Simon's erratic coughs beside me. My eyes flew open, and I faced my left. Bound to his coughing fit, Simon felt around in the dark blindly.
I stiffened with a stone heart; it had stopped beating and felt heavy in my chest. To provide much-needed light for us both, I flicked my wrist and ignited my magic as quickly as striking a match. This much I could do.
"What is it, Simon? What are you looking for?" I urged.
Simon's satchel had somehow moved away from us while we'd been asleep soundly. When he spotted it a few feet away, he reached for it. His trembling fingers tangled in the frayed strap and pulled it close.
For the eternity Simon dug through his bag, his coughs antagonized mercy and consumed him, and his will to contain them weakened. It appeared he was struggling terribly to breathe. And, terrified to the marrow of my bones, I could only witness. Unable to speak, unable to act, unable to save him. It was the same as it had been with my brother. For him, I also had not been able to do anything.
Fear pricked me from the inside, devoured the blood it sacrificed, and took root inside me. Magic, I had, but I did not know how to use it as I wanted. I was neither that adept nor profound. I could not help Simon. In this moment, I could only witness. Witness as he pulled a tubed object from his bag. Witness as he inhaled from it. Hope it would do what I couldn't and save him.
Once more, Simon sucked from the object pushed between his lips. His breathing began to settle, as did his shoulders.
Was he better now?
The tube fell to his lap, and he inhaled a large portion of humid air. Then, he laughed weakly as if what had just happened was something to be humored by. I felt sick; my stomach flipped, and my soul shaken.
"I'm sorry," he began, gazing into my eyes with doe softness and noticeable embarrassment, "I knew the bad weather might affect me this way, but still…I wanted to spend the night with you."
I set my bright magic to the side and took Simon's face in my hands. It was the first time I'd ever touched it, and I had to ignore the affectionate butterflies that exclaimed at the softness of his cheeks.
Closer to me, I pulled him until I could feel his quiet but mildly strained breathing across my top lip. "Will you tell me what happened to you? I thought…I thought you were dying." I had failed to keep my words steady. My fear had already seized my throat and tongue.
Simon's fingers grazed my hand. "Not dying, but I have asthma."
"What is that?"
"When my airways narrow unexpectedly, it gets difficult to breathe. Poor weather affects it sometimes. I usually sleep with an oxygen device, but…well, obviously I couldn't bring it."
I made my incredulity known with creasing eyes. Was Simon truly this careless? How could he disregard the severity of such a chronic condition? And for a night with me? I wasn't so significant that Simon should risk his life to see me. We had many more days ahead of us, with my solid intentions of staying beside him.
Standing, I grabbed both the basket of fruit and Simon's satchel. Then I offered my hand to him. "I'm taking you home."
Simon wearily looked up at me, and the darkness beneath his eyes was more pronounced. It seemed he wanted to disagree with me, but he only conceded.
"You're right, I should be heading back. I don't want another attack like that." His hand reached mine.
Our journey through the forest was silent save for the nature that existed around us. Simon retreated to his thoughts, and I felt the distance that was naturally still between us. With his eyes fixated blankly ahead, I stole glances at him every few minutes to assess his condition. Carefully curled in my hand was Simon's medicinal device, ready to be provided should he start coughing again.
I needed to protect him. But how could I?
All I'd ever been taught was a bit of combat—how to wield the little magic I knew to defeat enemies, and how to manipulate swords into inflicting fatal wounds. But how could I protect the ones I loved if I could not save them after they'd already been struck? My magic had potential that even Spring recognized, yet I could not tap into it.
How long would that take?
What should I do until then?
"Ruith." Simon stopped and faced me. "This is as near to the edge as I can take you."
Far ahead, I focused. We'd been walking for an hour. Of the many years I'd spent exploring this vast forest, not once had I gotten this close to the edge or even peeked over it, and we were still over a hundred yards away. This area was dimly lit by light posts that had been planted beside the trees. When the humans had managed this was unbeknown to me.
My attention was caught on not one but a handful of humans at the edge. Guarding the exit? And they carried guns identical to the ones Taegen had described. A particular kind had been created to be dangerous to my race.
Elves were immortal, but we weren't invincible, so even ordinary bullets could pass through us. Although it was severely unlikely they would kill us. But iron bullets delivered from higher-grade weapons could significantly damage any elf's elemental core.
"They're military," Simon chimed, noticing my observation. "They guard the entrance so children don't wander in."
"Why do they need guns for that?"
He looked toward the edge. "They'd get eaten by bears if they didn't have protection. And whatever roams the edge of the forest is free game anyway."
I nodded and continued my observation. The men's voices reached my ears, but I could not make out their words. They seemed comfortable with their guns, lanterns, and metal carriages. Trucks, I believed.
I knew I should retreat deeper into the forest to avoid discovery. If I stepped over the forest edge, Taegen would be alarmed. That would worry him and lead him to believe I was making irrational decisions with this freedom he gave me. I didn't want that to happen, but I didn't want Simon walking home alone either.
"How far away do you live?" I asked, determined to brave over the edge and escort him at least half the way.
With a smile, Simon relieved me of the basket. "Not far. I'll be okay from this point."
"I'll come with you."
"You can't." Gentler, he explained, "Most humans resent elves. You wouldn't be safe if a soldier saw you. And if I'm seen with you…"
That hadn't occurred to me. I'd assumed I'd be helping Simon. Perhaps not.
Would he be deemed a traitor for being seen with an elf? Would he be regarded as vile and evil? Would he be beaten because of it? Those were the repercussions rebellious elves endured for befriending humans. Befriending the enemy.
Reluctantly, I slipped the satchel onto Simon's shoulder. Then I took his hand in mine and curled the tube in it. I looked into his eyes. "I'll be waiting for you."
As if those words relaxed him, Simon released a quiet breath that sank his shoulders. He looked fascinatingly youthful as the dim orange light traced his masculine features. Despite battling tribulations, and even in his current weary state, Simon was like a stone carving that had been unsoiled and untouched by the brutality of the human world.
"I'll come back soon," he promised me.
Soon…
"What does that mean?" I looked away as I asked this, ashamed to be needy.
"What does what mean?"
"Soon," I repeated. "The last time you said it, I waited two months. Will I have to wait that long to see you again?" Familiar loneliness embraced my heart. The thought of waiting until summer to meet again was sufferable. It was misery already latching onto me.
Simon touched my shoulder. "Look at me, Ruith."
I obeyed and hoped Simon would give me a time span I could endure. Instead, he laughed. A little too carelessly this near the forest edge. But still, I watched him fondly.
His humor eventually quieted, and he smiled. "We only just met, and you're already this clingy?"
My breath stuttered, embarrassment burning in my skin. I swatted Simon's arm. "Then go. I don't care if you return or not."
I had to cross my arms to stop my fidgeting hands.
"Don't be like that. I was teasing you." A playful laugh fell from his lips as he squeezed my shoulder. "I'll come around for a bit, two or three days from now. Can you wait that long? Or will the world end if I'm not back by tomorrow?"
Tightening my lips, I fought off a smile. "I suppose I can wait," I said as plainly as my amusement allowed.
"I'll see you later then," Simon sang.
Minutes later, I waved him off as he crossed the forest edge. My eyes latched onto him a while after that, curious about how he interacted with one of the soldiers. Did they know each other?
I returned to the gate where Taegen had waited for me. Against the familiar tree, his back was while he turned Elion's emerald amulet in his hand.
"Your smile has returned," he observed. With ingenuine complaint, "It's too bad I'm not the one to have brought it out of you."
Trying to restrain my smile that only wanted to grow was like failing to extinguish a fire with wind.
"He came back," I said.
Taegen looked into my eyes, assessing. Then he smiled. "I'm glad."
Together, we walked through the gate.
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_Haven
_Haven We're so close to getting back-to-back chapters in Simon's POV! It's time for his story to be told. You guys will learn a lot about him starting in just a few chapters. Stay tuned!
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