“We will send a party to Melaina in the morning.” Alexander spoke with authority, meeting Prince Paradox's gaze and the prince nodded his head in acknowledgement.

“And a party to Arcadia once the Elven king has recovered.” Alexander continued as he turned back to the injured man on the cot. “Can you fix him?” He asked his wife.

Ardent knew that she had already spent too much time within Gaia, and there was risk with using her healing powers, but nevertheless, she gave a curt nod.

Kneeling beside king Weslo, she closed her eyes, extending her hands until they hovered over his body. The room grew silent, Rain and her companions watching in anticipation as Ardent’s body began to glow with golden light, the light drifting from her hands and downward into their king’s lifeless form.

A gasp was heard as his wounds began to mend themselves, his flesh becoming whole again, the blood disappearing into thin air, until finally, the golden light faded and Ardent collapsed beside the cot.

Bright light met Ardent's eyes as she woke from the stupor she was in. Bare marbled walls and infirmary beds surrounded her, the smell of bleach and sterilizer filled the air.

"Good you're awake." Lady Hinooki's voice grabbed her attention. She realized her mentor was sitting beside her bed in a mahogany chair. "Hello."

Across the room, in another bed, the sleeping Weslo rested while Rain sat next to him. Ardent got to her feet, swaying in the process as her body protested.

Hinooki was by her side in an instant, providing support for Ardent. "Easy now, don't push yourself. You shouldn't even be up." She chided. She held out a hand, black laced leather caressed her pale skin as she opened up her hand to reveal feathers nestled against her palm. She gave Ardent a troubled look. "What's happening to you? Angels don't typically loose feathers... Or do they?"

Ardent reached up and touched her feline-like ears. At once they flattened against her head as dismay crossed her face, her brown eyes clouded with distress. "It's begun." She whispered to herself.

"Because you healed my brother, you will die soon." Rain's voice broke from the other side of the room.

"What!?" Hinooki's voice demanded. She grabbed Ardent's shoulders and shook her. "Tell me what is going on right this minute!"

"This world is toxic to her." Rain answered. "She exerted herself and now she's feeling the effects."

Hinooki shot Ardent an angry look. "You always do this--"

"It's because I broke Heaven's law. I have to return to the realm. I cannot stay here." Ardent interrupted her, never meeting her gaze.

"So lets go!" Hinooki declared. Ardent looked at her mentor and smiled, even without knowing what she meant by *realm* she was willing take her there.

"Not yet." Ardent declined, shaking her head slowly. "We must see to the wounded first." She walked over and stood next to Rain, leaving Hinooki to gape in shock. This was why you never let Ardent in an infirmary if she was injured, she would tend to others before herself.

"Don't! You have done enough!" Rain cried getting to her feet, the sound of the chair scraping against the concrete floor echoed throughout the room, making Hinooki flinch.

"Calm." Ardent reassured her. "I'm only examining him." Rain waited with bated breath as she watched Ardent look over her brother. A calmness washed over the angel and Rain felt herself relax a fraction, the tension in her shoulders easing up.

"He will make a full recovery. Once he wakes that is." Ardent spoke without facing Rain, "He just needs rest now."

Rain exhaled the breath she was holding in. The infirmary door opened and King Alexander entered the large room, followed by Golem and Lady Storm. His face brightened when he saw his wife. "Good, you're awake." He said. "I need to talk with you."

"What is it?" She asked, never taking her focus off of the elven king.

He gave her a confused look as he watched her. "Would you all excuse us?" He asked his guards. They both nodded and exited the infirmary.

Hinooki cleared her throat, "come with me Princess." She said to Rain.

"Actually, lets take a walk." Ardent interrupted. Hinooki and Rain watched as Ardent and King Alexander faded from the threshold as they left the room, leaving behind a tension in the air as Weslo slept.