AN: This will be part of a two chapter story arc.
Getting Burned: Part 1
Dustfinger was familiar with burns of all sorts. The Inkworld was void of comforts such as "sunscreen" and "fire-proof" clothing and so it made sense to the fire-eater that most burns in this world could be avoided. Thus, he had to laugh when Meggie came home sunburned from sleeping by the lake. Even Silvertongue had chuckled at his daughter's silly mistake. Meggie, of course, found nothing funny about the situation she now found herself in. She blamed it all on Farid, who'd forgotten to pack the sunscreen, but even she knew that she could have easily trekked back to the house for it. Her shoulders, arms, and chest were all bright red and it was clear that they would remain that way for a while.
"You should be more careful, princess." Dustfinger teased. "A burn like that can really hurt."
Meggie had rolled her eyes, but Dustfinger knew better. He could see from her careful movements that the skin was already starting to ache. He'd learned at an early age to be wary of the sun lest he become unable to move for his fire shows. In Inkheart, he'd seen the strolling players acquire the tell-tale stiff movements and, occasionally, the fevers and swooning that sometimes came with too much sun. The children were especially susceptible to it, sometimes burning so bad they'd blister. He'd hated hearing their moaning and retching through the walls of his tent, it was very disruptive.
"Resa..." Dustfinger heard the little silvertongue say as she climbed the stairs for bed. "It kind of hurts."
That was just the first day. The second day Silvertongue informed the breakfast table that he'd gotten a call from a book collector in southern Italy that had some books in need of doctoring. Resa wanted to join him, as she had been doing more often, and Meggie would most likely have agreed had she been awake. Dustfinger couldn't help the small twinge of jealousy that still ran through him every once in a while when Resa and Silvertongue were a complete, happy family. Something he would never have again.
"Mortimer, this is simply the most inopportune time!" Elinor protested. "Darius and I are leaving tomorrow for a book shop in France that is notorious for having first editions hiding among the shelves and we'll be gone for at least a few days. While I know those poor books are in need, I can't allow you to leave my books unattended!"
"Oh, Meggie can take care of your books while we're gone. She'll be 20 next month and if anyone is going to be responsible about books it's her." Mo reasoned, spreading some jam over his cheese toast. Dustfinger and Elinor grimaced; it was one of the few traits they shared. No matter how many times he saw that, it was still disgusting.
Meggie came downstairs looking very tired and sore, though she looked as though she was trying to hide it. Dustfinger noticed a slight grimace as she reached for the jam and he slid it closer to her.
"Meggie." Elinor said in her sternest voice. Dustfinger winced at her tone as he passed the little silvertongue the butter. "Do you think you are responsible enough to watch over my books? And that means staying at least three paces away from the glass cases! And making sure the security alarm is set! AND-"
"Yes." she said in a small voice. "Of course. And I'll lock the library at night."
Elinor stared at her great niece for a moment. Then, she pointed her spoon at her as if she were threatening her with Basta's knife.
"See that you do. And as for you two." she turned her spoon-blade on Farid and Dustfinger. "Watch out for her, and stay away from my books."
Later, when Dustfinger went to find Meggie for supper, he found her curled up in her room under a heavy blanket. He leaned against the doorway and stared at her, dozing with a book in her hand. She shivered, so slightly it was hardly perceptible. He wouldn't be surprised if she was running a fever.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. Meggie perked up and looked over at him, putting on a brave face.
"I'm fine!" she said but her voice sounded forced.
Early in the third morning, Meggie said her goodbyes over breakfast. Resa looked a little concerned when she kissed Meggie's forehead. "Is she running a fever?" Resa's hands asked. Mo felt her forehead and shrugged.
"Father's don't know these things. It's very hot out, she's probably over heated." Mo kissed Meggie's cheek. "Keep safe. And don't forget to call."
"Don't forget to leave your phone on." Meggie replied, yawning.
By noon, Farid and Dustfinger were on the lawn, practicing a new partner's juggling routine. At first, Dustfinger didn't notice anything amiss about the day. Farid was practicing balancing an unlit torch on his palm. Gwin was curled up on Elinor's lawn chair. That was when he realized what was missing. Normally, Meggie would have been sitting in that chair reading. Farid called after him when he turned on heel and strode up towards the house, but he ignored his apprentice. The little silvertongue wasn't in the kitchen, where she'd been when he last saw her. Nor was she in the library pouring over a book. She wasn't even sleeping on the couch. 'Where is she?' he thought, beginning to get annoyed. And a little bit worried.
"Meggie?" he called.
"Up here!" she called back. Her voice was immediately followed by the unmistakable sound of retching. He found himself taking the stairs two at a time and sighed when he looked in Meggie's doorway. She was kneeling beside her bed, her hands planted on either side of her waste basket. Shivers wracked her frame and Dustfinger immediately knelt beside her. His hand brushed her neck as he pulled her hair back from her face and he could feel how hot her skin was.
"C'mon princess. Lie down."
