Chapter 118

They had no choice but to rest for a few days as Bastian recovered from his wounds, and the method of healing that had been used.

A few days after the attack he'd finally been able to stand up without passing out, although Hydrangea had had to hold him steady. He was more and more amazed by her kindness each day, she'd carefully give him some water, gently place the blankets over him, and she'd do her best to soothe the pain that still burned on his side.

He'd thought of how a kiss would definitely help to soothe the pain, but he knew that asking for one would incite some sort of fury.

Sitting against a tree he watched as Hydrangea packed up the camp. He'd offered to help fold up the tent, but she'd shaken her head no. He rather liked being doctored by her.

His brow furrowed when he saw her limp. After watching her for a few more seconds he saw it again.

"Hydrangea…?"

"Yes?" She asked back without looking up from her work.

"What happened to your ankle?" He asked, his eyes on the hem of her dress that hid her ankle.

She glanced in his direction then back at her work, "I-I hurt it yesterday." She replied stumbling over her words slightly. He frowned, he'd been conscious the entire day yesterday, when did she hurt it?

"When? And how?" He asked as he stood on his feet, she immediately rushed to his side and held him steady. He had winced as he stood and the pain from his wound had flared up.

He looked down to her and saw that she was avoiding his eyes. He found it… strange. She was always brave enough to meet his eyes, no matter the situation. Usually.

With the hand that was not restrained by her, he lifted her chin and she was forced to meet his steady brown eyes, "How did it happen?" He asked a second time and he saw apprehension in her silver-like eyes.

"When I… When I fought the creature it somehow managed to strike my ankle."

His eyes widened and he painstakingly lowered himself down so he could see the wound for himself.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He asked as he lifted the hem of her dress. She gasped in outrage and took a step back, causing him to fall back to sit on his behind. He grimaced from the quick action and the sharp pains that followed.

"Because your wound was more severe. And I took care of it, it's doing fine, same as yours." She said with eyes ablaze and her petite chin jutted out.

"Then why are you limping?" He asked, knowing that his eyes were edged with tinges of worry.

She wrinkled her nose in a way that made his heart warm. He blinked, 'Why was my heart warming with a twitch of her nose?' He asked himself as she thought of an answer.

His heart had come alive with her, he realized. It had started to tug and to beat more loudly, all from her actions. Wether it had been out of anger or joy, guilt or… he couldn't think of a name for the other feeling that seemed to pervade his senses at times.

He could no longer continue his inner thoughts as Hydrangea spoke, "Because it hurts, it hurts just like your side does." Her eyes darted, not being able to focus on one part of his face at a time.

He sighed, his shoulders heaving, "You should've told me-"

"What would you have done?" She asked angrily, "How would you knowing have changed anything? You're just beating a dead horse-" She stopped herself and looked down the creek.

His eyes softened at just this small reaction. She felt guilty because Gravel had died and she's mentioned a dead horse. It tempted him to smile, but he didn't.

"Hydrangea, you do not have to keep secrets from me, it would've done you no harm to have told me." He stood and rested his weight on a tree, "But I will not push something that is now in the past. We must leave."

She pursed her lips but nodded. He could see an emotion flit across her features but she quickly tucked it away.

She helped him to climb atop the horse, he glowered as soon as he was settled. He loathed having no ability. He'd decided not to be angry at Hydrangea when she'd told him that she'd slain the beast. But it still worried him, he was angry that he'd fallen into the beast's trap, angry that he was useless and could not protect her.

She finished packing up the camp and strapping things to Tree's saddle. He twisted his lips in annoyance, he could've helped with those things.

She soon climbed onto Tree, in front of him, and then led the horse out of the valley. Mist clung to them as they climbed up the narrow path. At times ice appeared on the rocks, luckily Tree was equipped with special horseshoes that prevented him from slipping.

Reaching the crest of a mountain they paused. Below them was mountain peaks bursting from the clouds. The air was absolutely frigid and both their masks were pulled to cover their faces. He hugged her waist and pressed his front to her back, she needed to stay warm.

She didn't say anything to object to his movements, of which he was relieved. Her gloves were too thin to offer much warmth, he wished she'd let him drive the horse.

But they'd a long journey ahead and he had plenty of time. His thoughts inevitably darkened from remembrance of his dream from Samadur.

"It will occur when you put your guard up." The Primal's words echoed in his mind. How could he be on guard if the dark thing would occur when he had it up?

But his mind calmed at the memory of Samadur's answer to his question.