Chapter Fourteen- Miracle Psalm 77:14- "You are the God who performs miracles."

In the poor excuse for an infirmary in the prison, Tielle lay in silent unconsciousness, medics bustling around her, desperately trying to revive her.

It wasn't working. Medical advances in the galaxy had made almost anything possible, with the right equipment. The average life expectancy had risen to about a hundred- fifty, with most people dying from old age, which seemed to be the only ailment that the right equipment could not cure.

But the Hidden Fortress Penitentiary did not have the right equipment.

Chayden watched as the medics slowly gave up on resuscitating the princess and instead attempted to drain the poisonous toxins from her system.

"At this stage of the game, removing the toxins won't do much," a doctor confided, leaning close to a scared Chayden. "They mostly just inflict pain, and removing them will not increase her red blood cell count or heal her wounded organs, but right now it is all we can do."

Chayden glanced at the machines monitoring Tielle's vital signs, his hope dipping even lower than her heart rate.

***

Hristen faced his livid father with deep shame written on his face, but simmering resentment boiling inside as the king lashed out at him.

"Fool! What were you thinking? Partini isn't surrendering, and the princess is the only leverage we have! And now she's lying comatose, almost dead, because of your *stupid* actions! You may have cost us Hidon!"

Hristen didn't reply, taking his rebuke in silence as was proper. But even if he had wanted to say anything, like the fact that the princess was going to be executed soon enough anyway, there was no opportunity. Faihn continued his angry scolding until he finally calmed down enough to demand that Chayden talk to him.

Hristen mumbled an order to find his younger brother, saying to check the infirmary first. It seemed to be where Chayden had been spending all of his time as of late.

Chayden arrived, looking weary and slightly annoyed at being dragged away from wherever he had been. "Yes?"

"Chayden!" Faihn roared. "Come stand where I can see you!"

Chayden obliged and faced his father. "Yes?"

"Did you try to stop Hristen from increasing the interrogation levels?"

"Yes, I did," Chayden glowered at Hristen for a brief moment, and Hristen stared back at him, stunned. His younger brother rarely displayed anger.

"Very well, then. You are now in charge, and Hristen is going to come back to Citaege, where he will be aptly punished for his serious lack of discernment." The menace in his father's voice made Hristen wince even as he felt fury for being replaced by a younger, more inexperienced, brother.

***

Klane finished at Malaar and journeyed to Shansire, which was slightly closer to Malaar than Ziex was. He was greeted with relief by the Shansirian king and queen, along with their sons and daughter, including Kall.

"We were happy to hear that you had left Hidon before the blockade," King Hael said, sincerity evident in his voice. "And now that you are here, you can tell us how we can best help Hidon. We cannot let Fareari take over your planet."

***

Chayden kept a vigil by Tielle's bedside, past caring whether or not it looked proper. Hristen was gone and he was in charge; no one could question his actions.

In the few occasions when he left Tielle's side, he spent time in prayer, pleading to Taina, the goddess of life and healing, to save Tielle.

But her condition worsened. Slowly but surely, she plunged closer and closer to the place of no return: death.

Chayden had momentarily toyed with the idea of moving her to Citaege, where there were facilities that could surely save her. But she wouldn't be able to survive the trip, he knew. Any travel would kill her as certainly as shooting her through the heart.

"Tielle," Chayden quietly spoke to her, hoping that she could hear him. "You have to live. You have to fight through this. Can you do that? Can you be strong? You were always very strong." He brushed a tendril of curly red hair away from her closed eyes. "You're the strongest person I know, actually. You have so much courage. That's what first made me love you." He leaned in conspiratorially. "That's right; I love you. Do you hear that? I love you, Tielle Satine."

There was no indication that she heard him. Not a flicker of movement or a sign of recognition. Chayden fought disappointment, knowing that he shouldn't expect a miracle. He shouldn't even expect that she would make it through this; none of the medics did.

But he couldn't give up. He had to keep hope.

Hope. What had that passage been? That one that he had read in Tielle's Holy Books? How had it gone?

It came to him.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

*But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength*, Chayden mulled that over, glancing at the motionless Tielle, who did indeed hope in her Lord. But had it helped her?

There was still a chance, though. Chayden shut his eyes for just a brief moment and uttered a silent prayer to Tielle's god, knowing that he was committing heresy and blasphemy, but willing to try anything for Tielle.

*If you are there, Tielle's god, then save her. She has such faith in you; I don't see how you could let her die if you really exist.* Chayden hesitated, knowing that what he was about to say could change his life. But falling in love with an enemy princess had already changed his life.

So he dove in headlong. *If you heal Tielle, it will be a miracle, and I will believe in you.*

The next day Tielle woke up.