Rennal's Point of View

Reed Family Farmstead

“Where!?” I woke with a sudden start next to a familiar sight. One that broke my heart. “Cass…”

My hand reached out and gently moved some of her hair out of the way of her face. Matted hair was stuck to her cheeks as she sweated horribly. Cassidy’s breathing was hastened, and she would wince or whine every other moment. What was she doing that all this was necessary?

“Rennal.” A voice came from behind me, and I quickly turned to face Ayda. “Why did you stay here?”

My eyes stared into hers for a moment before I turned back to Cass. “Is it not obvious?” Was my response. “She needs me here.”

“I know you two are close, but ‘need’ is a strong word.” Ayda immediately told me. “Austin and I have been tending to Cassidy just fine.”

Glaring over my shoulder, I replied. “You’re also the same person who put Cassidy in this state. With no explanation.”

“You already know that this was something requested by Cass.”

“That doesn’t change her condition. How do you expect me to respond when nothing has been explained?” I asked back. “Look at her, Ayda. What do you expect me to do?”

The Elf spoke sharply. “Realistically and logically, I had hoped you would realize I want you to do nothing.” My lower lip trembled at that, and Ayda sighed. “Look, Rennal, I have nothing against you. Please understand that you were not supposed to know about this.” I looked at her, and she grimaced from the tears running down my face.

I whispered back. “Thanks. I feel so much better knowing that.”

Ayda groaned and moved beside me. “Do you know how methodical I am?” She asked me suddenly.

“Yes.”

“I dislike outside interference and things that do not go according to plan. Aside from the first day and you, everything has gone perfectly. Although, the Priestess arriving at the library made me sick to my stomach.”

My eyes widened at that. “This has been happening since then!?”

The Elf paused and slowly turned to me. “Yes?”

Narrowing my eyes at her, I continued. “Then Cass was inside when we arrived?”

“She was, but I said she was.”

“You said she was hungover!”

“An obvious lie.” She replied with a shrug. “Did you expect me to come clean in front of the Priestess?”

“Then Cass was-“

She cut me off. “In the back, laying on the floor covered in blood.” I wanted to shout at her, but her eyes drifted to Cass. “I refuse to tell you what it is Cass asked of me, but you should know it was her own choice.” Her eyes turned downcast. “Believe it or not, I thought this was a horrible idea.”

My brows furrowed at that in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Besides the fact she could die, there are several other complications that come from doing this.” A sigh escaped her lips. “Most of them are things I will have to deal with, so Cass shouldn’t be too affected.”

“Will Cass be okay?”

“Tonight was the last night. If she makes it through the next few days, which I have done everything in my power to ensure she will, Cass will be perfectly fine.” She gestured to the blanket. “May I?”

I tightened my lips because I didn’t want to see. “You may.”

She removed the blanket gently and exposed her chest along with the last of her new wounds. Blood seeped from her wounds and soaked the bed along with her covers. It was hard to look at. All the strange markings on Cass looked unnatural, but the prior ones had begun to fade, so there was that.

“Here.” Ayda said as she pointed to a marking a few inches below her collarbone in the middle of her chest. “This shows that the ritual has been completed.” It reminded me of Ayda’s magic and looked almost like a flare of aura.

“Will she always have this?” I asked as I reached out but hovered over it instead of touching it.

Ayda nodded solemnly. “This is proof that we are bound. More specifically, it shows that I am bound to her. It was supposed to be the reverse.” I looked at her, confused. “Do not worry. I tweaked the ritual a bit, and this was the result. It was my choice just as much as it was hers.” She placed an arm around my shoulder. “Make sure you take care of her.”

“Of course.” I replied, despite how lost I was before I placed the covers back over her. “Are you going to be okay?” The question left my mouth after a moment.

The Elf became quiet. “If Cass is okay, I’ll be okay.”