Mirana's POV
Folter carried Pamina to my room after he unlocked the chain. Her ankle was too torn up for her to walk and now that her previous strength was depleted. She was exhausted. She hid her face in his chest even when he tried to set her down, she didn't want to let him go. He soothed her gently and offered me a small smile, stroking her hair.
'Pamina, open your eyes.' He coaxed softly, she looked up at him but she caught my gaze instead.
She looked away and eased out of his arms. She got up and limped to my Potion's table. She faltered once, her ankle giving way. Folter was up in second to hold her up. He stayed by her as she concentrated, crushing, boiling, stirring. She ladled up some of the potion into a cup and brought it to me meekly. I smiled and reached out to take it, touching her fingers. She recoiled instantly. She went back to the table and spooned up another cup, bringing it to me. I took it, this time being careful not to touch her. 'Thank you, darling.'
She sat down and used Magic to heal her ankle but it still wasn't completely fine. I drank the potion, I recognized the taste. It was designed to dull pain. The throbbing at my neck ceased effectively. It would make the bruises disappear but that would take time. And she wouldn't even look at me now. 'Pamina.' I called. She looked up and glanced at my neck, shuddering before she looked away.
'Pamina, it's alright. You did nothing wrong.' I said gently. Her eyes flashed open as she stared into my eyes, tears falling down her cheeks.
'How can you say that? I would have killed you. I would have given you a slow and painful death.' She said harshly. 'I am a monster!' She sobbed. Folter held on to her.
'You're no monster, lassie. You're my niece, Pamina Hightopp.' Tarrant said with kind eyes.
'I was going to make you watch. I heard you begging for her life and I was happy to kill her.' She mumbled, voice trembling.
'That wasn't you. That was the madness that took over.' I reasoned, getting up to comfort my daughter. She cringed away.
'Please. I don't want to hurt you. I've seen what these hands can do.' She said, staring at her own fingers hatefully.
'But you don't want to hurt me. The dangerous insanity is gone and only your own sweet adorable craziness remains.' I maintained, wrapping my arms around her. She stood there very still, her eyes closed. Folter watched with an easy smile.
'I am not fit to be Queen.' She said. And Folter's face became serious, Tarrant's disbelieving.
'You are the most wonderful, compassionate Red Queen we have ever had!' Tarrant exclaimed proudly.
'I'm going to go utterly mad one day and become just like Momma.' She said, voice muffled as she pressed her face into my shoulder.
'That won't happen. You grow stronger everyday. As you always have. That will never happen.' I assured her, kissing her tearstained face and hugging her to me. My poor baby girl.
'What happens now?' Folter asked quietly. She turned to him.
'Huh?' Pamina answered, confused.
'Iracebeth is still in the Red Castle. If you still want to kill her, I am oath-bound to help you do it.' Folter said. Though it was clear on his face he didn't want to do it but I also know that he would do anything for Pamina. If she'd only ask…
'No, I don't want to kill her. Folter…' She began unsurely. 'Is it true? You killed Stayne?'
Folter had a worried, tortured look in his face. 'You had just changed my life and I didn't fully understand the concept of mercy then. I didn't have time to think about it. He was easy to find.'
Pamina looked at him imploringly, wanting to know what he had done, he met her gaze and continued. 'I organized his torture. It lasted all hours of an entire fortnight. Then… I ended his life with my own hands. I hated him. For you, you see. Because by then I knew I cared about you, couldn't stand the thought of you being hurt. And I remembered that he had caused you to hurt so much…' He tried to explain his cruel actions.
'You killed him as cruelly as a true Outlander would have done.' Tarrant put in, fixing him with a curious look.
'Yet it was done out of humanity.' I said in awe. Pamina ran out of my arms and flung hers around him.
'Thank you.' She said, he got over his shock and hugged her back, looking very content. He sincerely, truly loves her with all his heart. Just like how Raevir had loved Racie. I watched on, glad that my daughter had found what I didn't have a chance to find.
When she pulled back, there was a small frown on her face. She stared at his chest. I only just noticed now it's all torn up but I could only she bits of clothes. Was that a shadow on his chest, hiding something? Of course! Pamina had gone wild when he caught her and she tore his skin. 'What is that?' She asked in an accusing tone, looking pointedly at his chest.
'Nothing you need worry about.' Folter eased her with a smile, dodging her question to bad she noticed. She swiped her face and found blood. She started breathing very fast, hyperventilating.
'Remove the shadow.' She told him, staring at the invisible wounds that she had inflicted.
'I don't think that's such a good idea.' He said, attempting to calm her.
'Just let me see it.' She insisted. He sighed and the shadow dissipated. She gasped and Tarrant shook his head. He was expecting it. His pale skin was marred with streaks of blood and ripped flesh.
'It looks worse than it feels, I swear. I'm too used to pain. I promise, it doesn't hurt anymore.' Folter assured her, rubbing his hands along her arms rhythmically.
She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them, she placed a hand on his wounds. He didn't even flinch. He just gave her a crooked smile. With a glow of power, she healed him. Red marks remained on his skin, but those would fade. She threw her arms around his neck and smashed her mouth onto his to which he responded eagerly.
'Sorry.' She murmured softly once she pulled away.
'What's to be sorry for?' He asked with a beaming grin and a pair of bright eyes.
