Blooming Hope

Rom sat on the bed, fisting the little bottle Pelham had given him. He was anxiously waiting for Edyia to open her eyes. She had been asleep since they arrived in Ironstone. He couldn't remember how long ago it was. It felt like forever since he had spoken or heard Edýia's sweet voice. Time seemed to have stood still. Nothing was happening. She was still the same; her chest was lightly moving up and down, although the colour in her cheeks seemed to have returned, just a tad, it was more than he had seen in a while.

Edýia moaned, and the air in his lungs stilled. She was finally waking up. There wasn't much of her left. Her already small frame had become even smaller.

Edýia lazily opened her eyes, blinked a few times, and stared at the ceiling briefly. She tried to lift her head off the pillow but dropped it back. She was so weak that she couldn't even raise her head.

Rom took a few pillows and stacked them against the headboard. He gently wrapped his hands under her arms and pulled her to sit against the pillows.

" You need to drink this!"

He pushed the small bottle to her lips, and Edýia's eyes shifted to him. There was no distinct look on her face. She looked exhausted. Her body was weak; she had gone without eating for so long that he was surprised she was still alive.

Edýia parted her lips and shivered. Rom grabbed her chin and opened her mouth, and poured the potion into her mouth, emptying the content of the small bottle.

Edýia's swallowed it with a grimace, the first facial expression, he had seen on her face in a long time. Rom jumped off the bed and returned with a plate of food and spooned a bit of food on the tip of the spoon. He wasn't sure how much she could eat right away, but he had to try.

Edýia looked at the spoon and then at him. Her eyes wandered further and settled on the table in the room. It was clear that she couldn't speak just yet. Rom followed her line of sight. She was looking at the glass of water on the table.

Of course, so stupid! Rom scolded himself as he jumped off the bed and returned with the glass of water. Edýia raised her hand and took the glass with a shaking hand from him. All he could do was watch as she slowly sipped on the water, huffing after each sip. Her body was so weak that she could bearly handle such a simple task. Rom reached to take the glass from her, but it was met with a frown. Whatever Pelham put in that potion was working wonders, two facial expressions, and he couldn't be more excited. He could finally look into her curios eyes. He would be able to hear her voice once again.

Edýia slowly emptied the glass of water, but she was panting by the time she finished it. Rom raised the spoon to her lips, and she finally pecked on it like a small bird. Rom smiled and continued feeding her. He was determined to put her back on her feet as fast as possible. She had to regain her strength. If Ruma showed herself again, she needed to contain her.

Edýia shuffled in her spot and pushed his hand away when he offered her more food. She hadn't eaten much, but it was more than she had had in a long time.

" Later!" Rom said, raising the plate and placing it on the nightstand.

Edýia licked her lips and hummed and followed his hand with her eyes. Rom knelt on the bed and kissed her forehead.

Edýia raised her hand and weakly brushed his cheek. She tried to smile, but it didn't stay long on her lips.

" How about some more water!" Rom suggested and took the glass out of her hand.

He could feel his gaze on him, and he had missed those eyes following him. He'd missed her so much that only when he turned around and saw her weary smile realise that without Edýia, his life would never be the same.

" Rom!" Edýia rasped bearly audible when he sat on the bed.

" It's alright! Don't speak!" He said, placing the glass of the water on her lips.

Edýia closed her eyes and took a swig of water. All the torture he had endured while she was senseless had vanished, and he felt hope creep into his heart once more.

Edýia's let out a shaky breath and shook her head when she offered her some more water. Rom placed the glass on the nightstand and climbed into the bed next to her, and pulled her into his arms.

" I missed you!" Rom said, hugging her tight to his chest. Edýia fisted his tunic with a trembling hand and sighed softly.

She slowly pulled away from the embrace and looked into his eyes. She parted her lips to speak, but nothing came out. Rom smiled at her and kissed the tip of her nose.

" I'm here!" he whispered and cupped her face.His eyes shined with unshed tears, biting his lip.

He eventually let out a shaky sigh and blinked away his tears. She didn't need see him like this. She had to get better.

" I love you, Rom!" she wearily said and curled up in his arms.

" I love you too, my little bud!" he let out a wry chuckle and kissed the top of my head.