Chapter 25

Invincible; Unrivaled

Lord Hector would not accept defeat from a cold. That was just out of the question. He had faced enemies of all sizes and sorts, of varying power. There was no way, no way in hell he was going to die from a cold. Or now it wasn't a cold, it was quite certainly something else. The coughing was terrible enough, the fever and sweating was no walk in the park and the chills were even worse. That didn't matter, the wielder of Armands would not die peacefully, so he wasn't going to die now.

Serra was keeping a good watch on him, keeping his medicine coming, but he would give anything to just be able to get the heal and go convenience provided by the healing staff. Unfortunately, illnesses weren't something a magic laced stone could cure. Serra obviously wished he was a quick fix as well, as she often whined that Hector was a difficult patient. He was not only a general complainer, but it was also hard to get him to listen to what she suggested or take what she prescribed. He knew exactly how difficult he was and he made no move to change it. The lord couldn't explain why he didn't want to take care of himself when ill, he just felt no need; germs and viruses were nothing, and he wouldn't die from such things.

After a shouting match with Serra, that the pink haired girl was only winning because Hector was tired and couldn't yell very loudly anymore, Florina came by to see him. Her presence changed the air in the room considerably. Serra left her with some instructions and stomped off and Florina only smiled at him. Hector snorted and put a hand on his forehead.

"Guess with this picture of Ostian nobility, you probably won't want to stay…" he said hoarsely. She shushed him and poured some of the medicine Serra had left on a spoon. The pegasus knight held it out to him and he took it. It tasted horrible, but he swallowed it obediently. At least in the rare moments he was forced to obey Florina she wouldn't lord it over him.

"You have to take care of yourself," Florina cooed wiping his forehead with a cool towel.

"Why can't you do it for me?" he asked. Florina giggled and sat on the bed. Her leg gently brushed against his through the fabric of the sheets. He wished for more contact, to be able to touch the soft skin of her neck, feel her body pressed against his. For now they were separated by a sheet. He had blankets before, but those got hot and he kicked them off. Soon he'd be cold and begging for them again…

"I may not always be here for you," she replied. He placed his hand over hers.

"Are you leaving Ostia then?" he asked. She breathed in sharply and looked down.

"I…I'm not sure yet…" she whispered. What could he say? What could he do? He couldn't make it any more painfully obvious that he loved her short of saying it, could he?

"I need you to stay," he told her.

"I'll be with you until you get better," Florina replied.

"And then what? Where will you go?"

Florina didn't answer, her face grew red and she sniffed back tears. Hector would have given anything to wipe them away, tell her everything would be all right and nuzzle his nose against hers. A Sacaen kiss that had been called; he wasn't sure why, Lyn seemed to skip the nuzzling and went straight for the lips with Kent. Though it seemed that both Kent and Florina needed more than gentle prodding.

"I am not ordering you to do this, but I am making a humble and heartfelt request that you stay in Ostia with me," he said. She looked directly at him, biting her bottom lip.

"Why?" she asked in a barely audible voice. It was Hector's turn to be silent. There was only one simple, direct way to tell her and that's what it came down to.

"I love you, Florina," he answered, squeezing her hand. She looked up, almost alarmed.

"Lord Hector, you shouldn't say such rash things when you're—"

"I'm under the weather, not insane. I have a fever, I'm not delirious. Florina I know what I said and I meant it. I love you and want you by my side," he told her. Florina stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, her face turning several shades of red and pink.

"I don't know how you feel for sure," Hector began, breaking the ice. "I just…I needed you to know that for yourself."

She nodded and drew her hand away. The pegasus knight got up and very slowly, she withdrew from the room. It was then Hector knew that he could withstand battle wounds, illnesses of all sorts, but he was sure heartbreak would be the hardest challenge of all to overcome. Perhaps he was not so infallible as he had thought…

I'm going to make the offical updates Tuesdays and Fridays. It's obvious I never have time to even sit at a computer much less update on Monday. Oh yes, I've been dangling that confession for ages now, but finally the truth is out! You can't get away now, Florina! Or can she? (laughes evilly) On Friday you'll find out...