Chapter Ten

"So, Rythian, do you feel ready to go home?" Zoey asked.
"I don't know. My back feels fine, but my foot... Let's just say I have a feeling it was more than broken," He answered, leaning on the bed.
"Oh, okay," She said, leaning next to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and she leant against his chest. Then he whispered into her hair;
"I'll be fine,"

They pulled apart and Rythian went over to the window. From the height, he could see much of the kingdom, and on the horizon spiralled a tower. The tower where he had been performing.

Just then, the door creaked open.

"Rythian?" A voice asked. He turned on his heel and saw Sienna standing in the doorway.
"Hi Sienna," He greeted.
"Sorry I couldn't come sooner, the paparazzi around this place is astonishing," She said, looking over her shoulder.
"Paparazzi? Why would they be here?" Zoey asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.
"Well the most famous mage in history is knocked out for two and a bit weeks because someone sabotaged his act. Why would the paparazzi miss that?" She explained, turning to Rythian. "How are you by the way?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking," He replied with a small smile.
"Hm," Zoey said in thought. "I guess they would be here,"

Sienna smiled and produced a small bottle made from brown-tinted glass. She held it out to Rythian who smiled, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"How did you know?" He asked, accepting the bottle and taking a large swig. "Ah," He sighed. "My favourite,"
"What is it?" Zoey asked. Sienna and Rythian shared a glance before saying in unison;
"Scotch,"

A cheeky smile appeared on Rythian's lips and Zoey giggled. Sienna smiled and looked at Rythian.

"It's been his favourite for a long time," She said.

After Sienna had gone, Zoey turned to Rythian and asked if he was going to go back to the castle yet.

"I'm not sure I'll be able to fight like this," He admitted.
"Hopefully you won't need to," Zoey argued, determined to get him out of the place.
"Well I'm not sure that I exactly look intimidating," He replied, grinning.
"What if we just stay in the castle?" She asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Fair enough," He gave his infamous answer and hopped over to the door. "Wait a minute, Why didn't I think of that earlier?!" He exclaimed and Zoey just looked at him with a very puzzled look on her face.
"Think of what earlier?" She asked. He reached into his alchemical bag, that was luckily still strapped to his belt, and produced a small vial of glowing pink liquid. Zoey was still confused. She never understood him sometimes...

~At the castle~

"When do you think he can come home?" Queen Lomadia asked, watching as Xephos paced the floor.
"I'm not sure, that's why I'm worried," He said, not taking his glance off the floor.
"I'm sure it won't be long," She assured. She had to admit, she was worried. But Xephos was taking 'worried' to a whole new level!
"I hope so," He said, and finally he came and sat on his throne next to Lomadia's. She rested her hand on his and smiled.
"He's strong, he'll make it through," She said, smiling at her husband. He really needed to calm down.