Twenty One: A night to rest

Plot: Wounded and exhausted from a Wassailia Eve mission at the Mystic Isles, Sofia is thankful for Amber's presence.

"Sofia! You're back!" Amber cheered with a clap of her hands, knowing that Sofia had been on a "short trip" most of the day.

She held back a gasp at the wounds spread across her sister's body.

"The wind... I'm okay Sky," Sofia mumbled, clearly exhausted as Amber took her arm.

"Here. I'll clean you up," Amber offered with a smile.

"Amber? How did you turn into Sky anyways?"

"Let's get you cleaned up before Mom and Daddy see you like this."

"But a protector..." Sofia trailed off, unable to keep her eyes open.

Amber had never seen her sister that exhausted. Did something go wrong in the Mystic Isles that she wasn't aware of?

"Amber what's up with Sofia anyways?" James asked, seeing Sofia asleep on her shoulder.

"Later James," Amber muttered in annoyance. "Just keep Mom and Daddy busy alright?"

"Alright..." James trailed, quietly leaving the room without another word.

"Whew! Close call there!" Amber sighed in relief as she closed Sofia's bedroom door. "Sofia wake up please!"

"Amber?" Sofia asked with a sleepy smile.

"Yes it's me. Is everything alright?"

"Tired and bloody. I crashed into a few sharp thorns today. I should've been smart enough to bring my wand."

"They're not deep. But your clothes are shredded," Amber observed, noticing a few rips in Sofia's shirt and a more embarrassing one near her pants.

"Oh right! But today is Wassailia Eve Amber."

"Sofia, your health is more important. Last year and luckily you weren't exhausted from your Wassailia Eve trip to the Mystic Isles. What happened this year?"

"A lot of things," Sofia sighed, putting her hands to her face.

"What other things happened Sofia?" Amber wondered as she got the bath ready bringing Sofia's gold nightgown into the bathroom.

"Thanks Amber."

"No problem."

"If Mom and Dad ask, I'll explain that I fell. A lot," Sofia smirked with a smile.

"Sofia why do you have to keep secrets?" Amber asked with a sigh.

"I wish I didn't but it's complex."

"No Sofia. Difficult is the right word."

"Ow!" Sofia moaned as Amber helped her out of her shirt.

"Sorry Sofia but I need to get you cleaned up and your bath is ready," Amber said, hoping to not cause more pain. "Can you take off your riding boots?"

"Yes. Luckily I didn't hurt them after my fall."

"We're blessed on this Wassailia Eve that you didn't Sofia."

"Thanks Amber. At least my cape is alright!" Sofia smirked as Amber helped her into her private bath.

The water slowly turned crimson blood as Sofia flinched at the warm water.

"Sorry about that," Amber apologized with a smile.

"That's okay Amber!" Sofia grinned, giving her sister a smile hug. "Thankfully it's a little cut and this water feels warm on my body."

"I'm almost done washing you Sofia then you can rest. Thankfully school is on break right now so you can rest some."

"Thank you."

Sofia smiled at Amber who smiled back, helping her out of the tub.

"I'll bandage up some of your cuts. Especially the more private one that might hurt a little bit," Amber offered as Sofia blinked.

"Amber, I'm not a baby!" Sofia stressed with crossed arms. "I'll appreciate your help with minor cuts but the last one..."

"Is a bit embarrassing?" Amber guessed with a smile soft and warm.

"Yes it is…."

"I understand."

"You do?" Sofia asked in surprise.

"Yes!" Amber laughed with a smile. "We're both girls!"

"Right… But I can take care of my cuts myself Amber."

"Not with how exhausted you are!"

"But that's not fair!" Sofia yawned, nearly falling to the floor.

"That's the point I was trying to make!" Amber laughed as she carried Sofia in her arms. "Come on. Time for you to rest for awhile. Alright?"

Sofia nodded without another word as Amber laid her in bed.

She felt the warmest she had been all night.

"Goodnight Sofia. Sweet dreams," Amber sighed softly, giving Sofia a kiss on the cheek before she turned off her sister's light at the door and left.