A/N: Yes, I know this chapter is highly overdue. Which is why I spent two days straight simply typing it up in between suffering this cold I've caught and hitting my head against my desk far too many times. But hey, I figure everyone suffers for his or her art in some way.
From Heaven to Earth
Chapter Eleven
Storm frowned as she looked at the mass of metal, shifting the tools she held in her hands. "Gaddes, are you sure there's a problem with this thing?"
"There's a problem," Gaddes said as he scratched his head. "Though I'm just about stumped as to what it could be." He blinked as the breeze kicked up slightly.
"Well, it needs to be fixed up before we can even think of leaving here," Storm murmured as she looked at it.
"It might be the conductors. Do you think you can get up there somehow and take a look?"
Storm tilted her head and looked up at the stretch; there were a few places for her to get a foothold and scramble up to the top. She flashed Gaddes a grin and grasped a protruding shaft and pulled herself upwards. She scaled it rather easily and peered in through a vent.
"There's something caught inside," Storm called down. "On something. I'm gonna open this vent and see what it is."
"Just be careful; there're some sharp things in there," Gaddes warned.
"Yeah, yeah," Storm said as she started taking out the screws. "Sharp things."
Gaddes shook his head with a chuckle. "You're not easily fazed are you?"
"Guess not," she replied as she took the cover off and reached inside carefully with a hand. "Here, hold this." She let the cover drop into Gaddes' hands.
She lapsed into silence as she worked her hand through, trying to find the problem. The Crusade seemed to be falling apart at the seams. As soon as one problem was fixed, another popped up. This was the fifth repair they had in three days. Storm didn't mind the work; hell it made the trip actually interesting. And it helped to distract her thoughts from the worry she had inside for Glide.
But the other thing about the trip was Van and Allen. Van seemed a bit more reserved around her than usual. And Allen, well he just seemed to pop up in the most unlikely places where she was and nearly scared her half to death every time. His apologies were starting to grate on her nerves.
"Oh well. At least I'm outside today," she smiled, feeling the sun on the nape of her neck. "And those two are far, far away from me."
"How's it going up there?" Gaddes called up.
"Good. I think I've just about got it!" she called back down as she slithered her other hand in.
"All right, Lord Van is here. He wants to talk to you once you get down."
Storm rolled her eyes; apparently she had spoken too soon. "All right."
She felt around until she found the tangle of coated metal. Her brow furrowed as she carefully detangled the mass. A slight humming sound could be heard as she drew her arms out after a while. She smiled in satisfaction before calling for the cover. It came whirling up and she caught it easily and reattached it.
"There, all done. Anything else while I'm up here?" she called down.
"No. Now come down before you fall off the wrong side." Gaddes said. "I don't want to lose someone who actually knows what they're doing with this stuff."
Storm snorted with laughter. "Aye aye, Sir!" she walked to the edge easily and jumped down.
Gaddes was standing there with a smile as well as Van who had a smile of his own. She wiped her hands clean, while looking at Van expectantly. Van motioned with his head and started back for the corridor inside. Storm excused herself for a moment and went after him.
"So, what is it, Van?" she asked as she found him leaning against the wall.
"I've been thinking," he said. "When I said I could help you."
"Oh. That," Storm suddenly found herself unsure of what to say. "Well, I was just hysterical that night."
Van didn't say anything for a moment. "I still mean it."
"Thank you," Storm said. "Really though, I'm not too sure. I mean the chances of that happ
ening again…" she trailed off with a shrug.
"I see." Van's voice was quiet. "If you do change your mind, I'll be out on the deck later on tonight."
Storm nodded her head slowly as Van disappeared into the ship's interior. She looked down at her hands to find herself still wiping them with the cloth. She muttered a curse in disgust, wiping off the last bits of metal and walking back outside.
"Everything all right?" Gaddes asked, looking back at her.
"Fine," Storm said easily as she bunched up the cloth and put it back in the box with the tools from her pockets. "Can I ask you something?"
"Uh huh?" Gaddes picked up the box and started inside.
"I was just wondering, once everyone goes off to sleep, are the doors locked?" she asked as she walked alongside him.
"Unless someone locks their own cabin door, no." Gaddes gave her a curious look. "Why?"
"I was just thinking that last night but it's kinda stupid. I mean, watches are run and everything so…speaking of that, who is on watch tonight?"
"Lord Van volunteered." Gaddes said as they descended down the stairs. "Now, with the repairs done for today, we can get going. But how about some lunch first?"
Storm chuckled as Gaddes reached over and rumpled her hair. "Definitely lunch first."
"Would you like another glass, Mistress Tara?" Aurelia asked softly.
"Please," Tara held out her glass to be filled.
"You really shouldn't drink that much. This is your sixth glass." Aresia said in a slightly reprimanding tone.
"You," Tara said in cold politeness. "Will kindly refrain from making comments and leave me to do as I please."
Aresia inclined her head in acceptance. Tara scowled slightly before she took another sip. The only sound that echoed in the still room now was of the bottle being placed back down with a small 'thunk' by Aurelia who melted back by Tara's side.
"Besides, I'm part Irish; this is in my blood, is it not?" she gave Aresia a sharp look.
Aresia didn't say anything, choosing to keep her mouth shut.
"I think you had better start at the beginning of this claim you have," Tara said in a soft voice. "I've had three women try to be a mother to me and each one had regretted it, I can assure you."
"I suppose Seamus was right to try and raise you with some feminine influence; he could be rather harsh on his own."
"I said start at the beginning. Not on some thing you fancy." Tara's voice cracked like a whip.
Nothing was said for a moment but Aresia started to talk slowly. "Humans from Earth have been finding their way to Gaea for millennia now. Seamus was one of those people."
"And you are not human?" Tara pounced on the omission immediately.
Distinct discomfort settled on Aresia's face. "No. I hail from somewhere much different."
Tara watched her; it would be best to leave her to squirm for a bit. "So you found your way to Gaea, as did Seamus."
"Yes. We were both stranded here for a bit, lost from the only homes we have ever known. It was almost a year before we found a way back to Earth." Aresia shook her head. "It was very confusing because so much more time had passed in Seamus' world."
"And why didn't you return to your own world?" Tara said calmly, taking a sip.
"By the time we had found a way to leave, we'd fallen in love. And there was nothing I would sorely miss from my world, so I went with Seamus."
"I see. So you went back to Earth with him, and that's presumably where you popped me out?"
"No!" Aresia's voice crackled with anger. "I did not just pop you out, insolent whelp! You were a difficult child to bring into this world. For three days I laboured just so you would live! Of all the nerve…"
Tara arched an eyebrow. "Three days? With modern medicine on Earth, it would have been less than a day to deliver a child. If you couldn't deliver, there was always a C-section."
"I didn't give birth to you on Earth," Aresia said quietly. "When Seamus and I arrived, he found it had changed so much that he simply couldn't find a place, much less like the one he had. And so we came back here. Gaea is where you were conceived. And Gaea is where you were born."
"Indeed," Tara said in a disdainful voice. "Then how did I end up on Earth?"
"We were being pursued when I went into labour. So we managed to hide out for three days while I struggled to bring you into this world. Seamus was holding you when I realized the one thing I had to do to keep the two I loved safe."
"And that was?" Kayla asked; she was rapidly losing interest in this.
"I made a wish to see the two of you on Earth, away from his clutches." Aresia paused for a moment. "I am glad to see that it worked for one of you for a time."
"A wish, took Seamus and me to Earth?" Tara scoffed. "A wish doesn't have any power."
Aresia shook her head. "That is where you are wrong. Gaea itself was formed from a wish, from a wish of many people. On this soil, wishes have more potency than on the polluted ground of the Mystic Moon."
"Interesting," Tara said, taking another sip from her glass. "And whose clutches would this be?"
A strange light flickered in Aresia's eyes before she shook her head. "You must either have a touch too much arrogance if you believe that I shall tell you or you have not seen it for yourself yet."
Tara didn't say anything. "So far, everything you've told me has done nothing to convince me that what you say is the truth."
"Even if I told you about Seamus, I doubt you would believe me." Aresia murmured. "But could you at least tell me how he's doing? Well so far as you last knew. Is he still taking those pills?"
Tara felt her face blanch slightly for the first time during the conversation, but she maintained her composure. "Pills?"
"His heart pills," Aresia said with mild irritation. "I've seen the scar on his chest. He had a bypass surgery to correct a defective valve in his heart. And he never had good blood pressure to begin with. Can't you at least tell me how he's doing?"
"My father was disgustingly healthy when I left. He wanted to play rugby with me when I got back home." Tara said quietly as she contemplated her wine.
Aresia didn't say anything for a moment. "What were those three women like?"
"You don't have the right to ask me that," Tara murmured. "But he never saw what I saw."
"I see," Aresia rose before she spoke a bit sadly. "I'm glad he wasn't here to see this; he would have been disappointed in you."
Tara didn't say anything as Aresia walked past her and out the room. She sat there, staring down into the contents of her wineglass stonily. So Aresia had been right; Seamus would have been disappointed by her behaviour. But she'd be damned of she let some one in like that only to have them trample all over her. She'd been stupid enough to make that mistake twice and she would never make it again.
"Mistress?" Aurelia said hesitantly. "Are you all right?"
"No, I'm not," Tara admitted softly. "Could you draw me a bath please?"
"Anything else?"
"No; anything else, I'll do for myself." Tara said wearily. "Thank you Aurelia."
Aurelia touched her shoulder with a smile before she disappeared down a small corridor in the room. Tara had to admit, the room she had been given was more than pleasing. This room alone could hold three of her bedrooms from Earth; and this was apparently a reception room of sorts. Her bedroom alone was rather over the top with the massive bed; what did she need a bed that big for? It was bigger than a queen-sized mattress; and it wasn't like she was sharing it with anyone.
What really had got under her skin was that Aresia knew about Seamus' heart. Only Tara and one of those women he had dated knew about it. It wasn't so easy to brush it off that Aresia was able to describe it so exactly; coincidence wouldn't help her out this time. She balled a fist and hit the table with it. It was perfectly clear to see that Aresia had strung her along, playing her little game, when clearly Tara was the one being played with; and that, she never liked. She loathed it with a passion.
"You won't get away with that Aresia," she muttered to herself before taking another sip. "You started the game and made me look the fool."
"Mistress?"
Tara looked up to see Aurelia standing by the wall, looking at her uncertainly. "Don't worry. I'm just a bit more stressed than I would like to be."
Aurelia nodded. "Then I shall leave you to your bath."
Tara smiled gratefully and headed into the back. The bathroom was rather large, a tap decorated with a serpent twisted around a branch. Tara sniffed disdainfully and stripped off quickly, eager to get into the water; she could see the tendrils of steam curling off the surface. But she paused after a moment and spread her wings, the downy white feathers whispering against her back.
"Hm, that feels good," she murmured as she stretched them out and then folded them back before she sank into the water. "Perhaps that is what I will have to do. Father certainly didn't have wings. So that only leaves Aresia with her claims." She sloshed the water around a bit with her hands, lips curving into a smile. "Its' time to find out where exactly that woman 'hails' from."
Storm sighed as she turned over in her bunk restlessly. The other bunk over Merle was snoring away peacefully. Aside from her restlessness, there was no way on Earth to sleep through the racket Merle was making. The snores were intermixed with strange mewling sounds and Merle's tail flicking from side to side every so often.
"That's it," Storm grumbled as she got out of bed and walked out of the cabin. "I've had it. Gods, that was a brilliant idea; stick me with Merle,"
Storm's footsteps echoed out slightly as she walked through the ship's silent and empty corridors. When she opened the door to the deck, and the crisp night air greeted her, she inhaled deeply. She should have volunteered for a night watch. It was invigorating simply being out here.
"You came,"
She looked around hearing Van's voice. When she finally spotted him he was standing on the flat surface above the door; the one that had no ladder to get up there. And he was shirtless. Her face flushed slightly.
"Van, how did you get up there?!" she hissed. "I don't even think you're supposed to be up there!"
"Well, it's not as if Allen's here to stop me at the moment." Van easily jumped down, landing with almost no noise. "Do you really want to know how I got up there?"
"It's not like you could just climb on up and even jump. It's a bit too high for that." Storm said as she looked at it critically. "So how did you do it?"
Van didn't say anything as he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Storm waited patiently; she didn't have to wait long. It all seemed to happen so slowly. She could see the white lengths grow and fold over, almost like bird wings. But these stood out slightly; ready to spread at a moment's notice. She glanced at Van's eyes to see slight apprehension in their depths.
"I really have to try to stop living in denial," Storm muttered. "You have wings too. Why didn't you say so before?"
"You yourself seemed so apprehensive about your own," Van said. "Besides, people are somewhat nervous and scared of our kind."
"Our kind?" Storm asked making a motion between the two of them. "What do you mean 'our kind'?"
"Only Draconians have wings like this," Van watched her for a moment. "You don't know about the Draconians, do you?"
"No, I don't." Storm said shaking her head. "Is it so important that I know now?"
Van shook his head. "You should get a feel for bringing your wings out and putting them away at will. So there's no repeat of a panicked night."
"Or going into the wrong room," Storm muttered. "Hang on a moment." She pulled of her shirt quickly. "Van, look," Storm began as Van's face flushed bright red and he lowered his eyes. "This is the only way and I am not cutting up holes in my shirt. It's barely holding together as it is."
Van nodded and cleared his throat, managing to look her in the eye. "Do you know how to bring your wings out?"
"Not really, but let me try," she said before closing her eyes.
Storm breathed slowly, recalling every aspect of the night when her wings had appeared. But nothing was happening. All she remembered was the rage that had flooded her. Perhaps the key lay in there. She forced her brain to think back and go over the moment more carefully. Her anger had risen sharply, as well as the urge to dispatch the men quickly. Then she caught the one thing she had missed before; the slight thing inside that had snapped. It was so slight; it was no wonder she had missed it that night, much less now.
The strangeness - she had no better word for it - suffused through her body, but she could feel it pooling on her back, and then sprouting outwards. She didn't open her eyes yet, but waited as it accelerated slightly before slowing down and coming to a gradual halt. When the strangeness was gone, she cracked open one eye a bit.
"You did it." Van said simply with a grin.
"I did?" Storm craned her head back to see the downy feathers protruding from her back. "Heh…they're actually…kind of nice." She murmured as she touched once gently; the feathers were incredibly soft.
"Are you just going to leave them folded? Spread them, get a feel for them." Van encouraged.
Storm gave him a grin and did just that. She looked at either side as she gave them a small flap. They moved accordingly and lifted her slightly off the deck. She gave a chuckle as she landed easily back on her feet.
"That was actually fun," Storm grinned at him. "Are you just going to stand there and watch me?"
"Yes. I highly doubt I need to show you anything beyond the basics of flying." Van said easily as he rubbed his head with a laugh. "And to make sure you don't do anything crazy."
"Like jumping off the ship and trying to fly?" Storm suggested.
Van nodded his head. "Exactly like that. Flying is a lot harder than it looks, so don't even think about making a dash for it."
"Aw, you're no fun." Storm sulked. "What's it like flying?"
Van didn't say anything for a moment. "I can show you if you like."
"You'll take me for a ride?" Storm couldn't stop her anticipation from creeping into her voice.
"Just a quick one," Van said with a smile. "I am on watch duty after all."
"So, what do I do?" Storm asked.
"You," Van said as he walked up to her. "Don't squirm at all."
"Huh? Van!" she shrieked in surprise as he scooped her up in his arms.
"Hang on!" he said as he started to run towards the guardrail.
Storm had just enough time to do as he said as he jumped out into the air, spreading his wings. They fell for a bit until he caught the draft and soared up into the air. She glared at him before she turned her attention to the landscape below them. The treetops were frosted with silver moonlight, while the lake in the distance behind them seemed to be made from it. There was a slight breeze that whipped her hair around, but she ignored it. This was amazing; to not have the ground beneath your feet and wing through the domain of birds.
"Enjoying yourself?" Van's voice held a touch of amusement.
"Immensely," Storm replied as she turned to look at him. "But maybe you should be getting back."
Van nodded as he banked easily and started back for the Crusade. "You've been different lately."
Storm looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"You've been going out of your way to avoid Allen," Van stared ahead for a moment. "Is there a particular reason?"
Storm didn't say anything until they alighted on the deck. "I know this is going to sound crazy, but…sometimes I get this odd feeling he's staring at me when I'm in the room working with him in there. But when I check to see, he's busy with something else. It's kinda starting to creep me out."
"I see," Van said as he put her down.
"That's why I've been working with Gaddes and spending a lot more time in my bunk. But I need to do more things." Storm paused, thinking. "Do you suppose we could spar? It's keep me far away from Allen and we'd be keeping up a skills, maybe we'll learn some new ones."
"So long as they don't detract from your duties. I have a feeling Allen would be less than thrilled if he found out the reason." Van said wryly.
"Not a problem," Storm said with a shrug. "Would you mind if I just stayed here for a bit?"
Van shook his head. "But aren't you going to have to get up early?"
"Yeah," Storm shrugged. "But I can go all night and function perfectly fine in the day."
"If you say so," Van flew up to where he was before and made his wings vanish away. "Are you hungry?"
"Kind of," Storm flew up and alighted beside him, doing the same thing, though it took her a few minutes longer. "Bread and cheese, huh?"
"It's nothing very fancy," Van said almost apologetically as he handed her a half of the loaf and the chunk of cheese.
"I wasn't expecting fancy. Thank you." She took them from him, biting off a bit of each. "Good cheese."
"Good bread." Van replied through a mouthful of crumbs.
Storm looked at him for a moment before she chuckled. "You know," she swallowed. "Whenever I see you, you're so serious. Except for now."
"I've always felt more at home in the night," Van said with a simple shrug. "It's the one time where I can stop being King for a few hours and simply be myself with no expectations of me."
"You're a King without a kingdom; why?" Storm asked after a few hasty bites.
Van didn't say anything for a few moments. "My kingdom was attacked. They came in the night like thieves, hidden by something. My people never had a chance to fight back."
"Who're 'they', Van?"
"Zaibach," he spat. "I know it was them. With their red suits and that man with the maniacal voice."
"Red suits?" Storm felt a chill run through her. "Like the ones at Esturia that day when…"
Van nodded. "Exactly the same. I can barely remember that day; it was somewhat chaotic. I suppose we both have our reason to hate Zaibach. They took your friend too, didn't they?"
"And she was my only link to my past," Storm said quietly. "Since I can't remember anything past my own name and that I come from somewhere else."
"That day in Esturia, I got the distinct impression that you know perfectly well where you come from. You just chose not to tell us." Van murmured as he glanced at her.
"Are you mad about it? I've noticed some things since I've been on Gaea; you don't claim to be a Draconian, you don't claim to be from the Mystic Moon, and if you're apparently a pretty girl, stay far the hell away from slave traders."
"It's perfectly understandable," Van said before he lowered his voice to a bare whisper. He leaned in slightly. "Just where are you from?"
Storm leaned in a bit more, to whisper in his ear. "As I know it, I'm from-"
"Storm, are you out here?"
Storm retraced back at the sound of Allen's voice, trying to not look guilty. The blond haired captain walked out onto the deck, looking around quickly until his eyes rested on her and then Van, up above the door. She glanced at Van quickly before she looked back at Allen.
"Yes?"
"I was trying to find you." Allen looked between the two of them for a moment. "Can we talk for a moment?"
"Well, uh," Storm faltered for a moment, her mind racing. "I was just going off to sleep. I was out here talking to Van for a bit and I'm honestly kind of tired now." She jumped down, landing by the doorway somewhat awkwardly. "And I'd need to be dead tired to sleep through Merle's racket, which I am now," she proceeded to give something of a semi-genuine yawn. "I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow Commander. Night, Commander, night Lord Van." She bowed slightly to each one of them and promptly disappeared into the ship's interior before Allen could get a word in edgewise.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she hurried down the hallway, and entered the cabin. The same Godawful racket was still going on. Storm crawled into her bunk and pulled the blanket over her head before she stuffed the pillow over her ear as tight as she could. She might be hot, and this blanket somewhat stuffy, but they all helped to block out Merle's racket. And at the moment, she was drifting off like she had wanted to earlier. Coming up with ideas to avoid Allen would be tomorrow's next issue.
Tara walked through the cool halls of the Zaibach palace. She had spent most of the day simply getting acquainted with the grounds and becoming familiar with the new terrain. Whatever training Dornkirk had told Folken to give her, it hadn't happened yet. Either Folken was hesitant to do it, or he was planning some hellish lessons.
The room she had just entered now could be nothing less than a terrarium. The room was bursting with plants that had leafy, screening foliage as well as some rather delicate scented flowers. Mixed in with the scent of water and earth, she found this room to be the best thing she had found so far in the citadel of cold unyielding steel and metal.
"Aurelia?" Tara turned to find the girl sniffling slightly to herself. "Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing is wrong Mistress," Aurelia murmured, in a stiff voice. "It's simply a case of an upset stomach, nothing more."
"Then go back to my quarters and rest, you silly girl." Tara scolded; she did look a bit green around the gills. "I can look after myself."
"All right Mistress," Aurelia said. "You're sure you'll be fine?"
"I'm sure. Now go." Tara said, pushing Aurelia towards the door. "And just rest. If I find out that you've been working…" she let the words hang in the air.
"As you wish, Mistress." Aurelia shot back as impishly as she could before she quickly exited the room.
Tara shook her head with a smile. So far, this day had been somewhat enjoyable. It was something she couldn't say of much of her time in Zaibach since she was captured. She walked along the paths, until she came to a small bench, a few feet off from the path, visible only from the small footpath through the grass. She followed it and sat down, taking in a deep, almost heady, breath,
"I actually missed the smell of the earth." She murmured to herself. "And the smell of every thing about nature." She leaned back against the bench back, closing her eyes.
The silence in the terrarium was soothing, with the faint rustle of leaves and the babbling of water from some nearby source. She could deal with being in Zaibach if she came to this small piece of-
"Tara Leigh O'Malley! Where in the blazes are you!"
Tara shot up, her mind hearing her father's voice again once more. But she simply sat back down again as she realized it was none other than Aresia's. With a small huff of dismissal, she closed her eyes and sank back against the bench. When Aresia found her a few minutes later, Tara could sense the rage curling off of her.
"Is this where you have been hiding all this time, child!" Aresia said in a snappish tone.
Tara shot her a look, an eyebrow arched. "Where I've been 'hiding'," Tara managed to pour as much contempt into the one word as she could. "Is none of your business."
"It is when it comes to you and the twisted little psycho. You anger and intrigue him far too much for your own good."
"Dilandau?" Tara gave a harsh scoffing laugh. "I highly doubt that he can do-" Tara trailed off as she looked around suddenly; there was someone else here, watching her, and it wasn't just Aresia. She didn't know why she didn't sense it before; she must have been too absorbed in the nature around her, controlled as it was.
'So, you finally sense it?'
Tara glanced sharply at Aresia to see a strange mixture of anger and fear, two polar opposites. That couldn't have been Aresia just now; that would mean that she was in her head and-
'You had better believe it, if you want to live.' Aresia's voice held a tint of dryness. 'Didn't Dilandau say he would kill you?'
'That pervert wouldn't dare!' Tara's outraged thought shot across her brain before she could even stop it.
'He would dare and much more if you are not careful. Now, rise slowly and walk towards me. That is when the assassin will make his move.'
Tara didn't say anything but scowled at Aresia, realising something. 'How do I know that you aren't simply trying to draw me into a trap? You could have ulterior motives against me.'
'For Heaven's sake child, do you think I would be this distraught and worked up if I, Gods forbid, intended to kill you, my own flesh and blood? I've even called Folken here; he coming as we speak.'
'One never knows,' Tara couldn't stop the snarky thought from flitting across. 'But I suppose you do have a point.'
'Then, please walk towards me. I don't even care if you make it look like you're going to hit me.'
'Really?' Tara scowled even more, balling a hand into a fist. 'I can easily arrange that.'
Tara ran towards Aresia with her fist coming in for a downward strike against her jaw. Aresia looked relieved as she moved forward now as well, grasping Tara's shoulder and pushing her to the right sharply as she saw something that Tara didn't.
But then, Tara did something that even she herself didn't expect. Her foot found it's balance again and she shouldered Aresia out of the way. Aresia's eyes widened with shock and surprise. Tara gave a short huff as she started to turn her torso around. That was the precise moment that the small blades found their way to her shoulder and exposed right flank. The sharp edges cut through the material of her dress and bit down into the skin.
Her shoulder was peppered with them, and glancing slashes filled her side. She fell onto the ground heavily, driving the blades in her shoulder further. She twisted onto her other side, biting her lip so hard that it broke and blood ran free. That was when she heard the 'thunk' of a body falling from a tree.
"Suicide," Aresia said in a mild tone of disgust before she turned her attention to Tara. "You foolish child! What in Gods name where you thinking! You could have been killed. They were aiming for your throat! Your throat!"
"I save your life and you still yell at me," Tara gave a sharp cough. "Even I don't know why the hell I did that."
"You," Aresia's eyes pooled with tears as she started to rip off strips from her dress. "You foolish, foolish child! Don't you ever do anything like this again! Do I make myself understood?! Gods, it should have been me, it should have been me."
"Aresia," Tara said in a slow voice. "I want to see your wings."
"My wings?!" Aresia seemed completely shocked by that.
"Your wings. Father said my mother had the blackest wings, like midnight taken from the sky itself." Tara paused as she beat back the pain. "I want to see your wings."
Aresia spread them immediately, a few jet-black feathers floating down around them. Tara blinked when she saw them, a few sparse tears coming to her eyes as well.
"He was right," Tara murmured. "He was right."
"Dear Gods Tara, hold on. We'll get you fixed up; don't worry. I wasn't there before, but I will be here now, whether you want me to be or not." Aresia said as started to bandage up the slashes along Kayla flank.
By this time, Kayla was already drifting away on the pain, murmuring softly to herself as her eyes fluttered close. "Like midnight taken from the sky itself…like midnight…"
