Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.
Absolution- Part 1, Chapter 6
by the Prime Minister
He did as the old woman had advised, and in two days Lina recovered. Xellos sat in a chair by her bedside, elbows on his knees as he watched Lecia scoot around the room in her curious bear-walk. Lina sighed and woke up, sitting up and putting a hand on her head. she moaned, blinking into the morning light. What happened?
Xellos leaned back in his chair as if he didn't have a care in the world, resisting the desperate urge to go to her and crush her to his chest. He carefully schooled his features into his customary bland smile and looked at her brightly. Miss Lina, you nearly drowned in the storm.
The night you decided to swim home, he reminded her gently.
She looked at him and he watched recollection snap her in two, her eyes filling with tears. she whispered, looking down at her hands.
Xellos sighed and rose, collecting Lecia. Mama and I need to talk, he said to the baby, gesturing at Lina. Lecia looked at Lina with wide eyes, as if seeing her for the first time. She made a spluttering sound and turned back to Xellos, wrapping a tiny fist in his cloak and reaching for his thick, shiny hair with her free hand. I'll be right back, he murmured to Lina, and disappeared.
She's awake? the Greater Beast asked the moment he had fully rematerialized.
Yes, and I need some time alone with her. Mistress, would you please look after Lecia? he asked, feeling awkward. Xellas rarely received requests, and granted them even less often. To his surprise, Xellas quickly rose from her chair with a single graceful movement and came over to him, gently taking the baby girl.
I suppose, Xellas sighed, and he did not like the way her eyes were gleaming. She's entertaining enough. Has she learned any new tricks?
She's crawling, Xellos replied, pushing away the urge to quickly give his mistress a rundown of what Lecia was and was not allowed to do. Thank you, Mistress, he murmured.
Oh, just hurry up and finish this messy business, will you? The sooner the Inverse woman figures out what's what, the sooner you can return to work. You know your duties are piling up.
I'm aware of that and I apologize. I will do my best.
See that you do, Xellas murmured, tickling Lecia under the chin. The baby giggled and reached for one of the many golden bangles the Monster Lord wore around her wrists.
Xellos bowed deeply and returned to Lina.
When he arrived he went directly to her bedroom, entering without knocking. She sat in the same position she was in when he left her, and he wondered if she would ever heal. He had had no idea that the human heart could be so utterly destroyed by mere emotion. Why did you swim away that night? he asked softly, closing the door behind him.
she asked, wiping tears off of her face with the palms of her hands.
Why did you run away?
I wasn't running away, I was running to, she muttered, turning her head to the side.
He stood and simply gazed at her for a long time, the only sounds the crashing of waves against the beach and the occasional bird's cry. Her hair shone in the sunlight, reminding him of polished copper. She was even beautiful in her grief, the dark circles under her eyes and her hollow cheeks lending her features a certain amount of gravity in his eyes. Still, her hardships and refusal to eat had cost her, and she appeared nothing but a sack of skin and bones as he looked at her. You were running to home? he asked, walking over to the bedside.
Yes. My home is with Gourry.
You really, truly want to go home?
Yes, I do, she said, voice breaking on the last syllable as her whole body began to shake. I want things to go back the way they were.
Which way? With Gourry, or before, when we were happy together and had no cares in the world?
He heard her breath catch in her throat, and she cried quietly for long moments. she finally sobbed. There will never be another happy' for us.
Why not?
You're a Monster, Xellos!
He sat back and looked out the window, wishing that he could explain himself to her. He knew it was futile, however. And if I wasn't?
You are, and that's what matters. Oh, why couldn't you just leave me alone? I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. Why did you have to rip us apart?
It wasn't me, Miss Lina. Gourry's the one that made the decision, and it surprised me as much as it did you.
Please shut up, she groaned, pulling her knees into her chest and hiding her face in them.
Do you want me to take you home?
She inhaled sharply and was silent for a minute or two. You'd do that?
I don't want you to feel this way. I will do what I must, he replied. We can leave as soon as you've eaten something.
I'm not hungry.
You'll die if you don't get some sort of nourishment soon. Then you really will never seen Gourry again.
Again she was silent, then grunted. Fine. But let's hurry.
He nodded and fetched her a bowl of porridge, bringing it to her in bed. he said, offering her the bowl. It's very warm, and you haven't eaten in a long time, so please be careful.
I know how to eat, she snapped, taking the bowl in her hands and slowly starting to eat. She choked a few times at first, her body rejecting the food after so long, but then improved.
What would you like to wear? he asked, going over to her wardrobe. I collected a few things for you.
She glanced up at him but did not answer, watching him as he opened the doors. He pulled out a cotton sundress, blue with tiny little flowers on it, but she shook her head. How about this? he asked, pulling out a simple tunic and leggings. She seemed to consider, then shook her head again. All right, he murmured, searching through her things. A green silk tunic appeared in his hands, with a loose collar and no sleeves, matched with a long, fitted skirt of the same fabric. The cloth was dyed in such a way that the intensity of the green changed slightly from place to place, giving it the effect of green sea waters seen through frosted glass. She nodded and he sighed, laying the clothes out at the foot of the bed and carefully picking a pair of matching sandals. He pulled a white cotton shawl out of the wardrobe as well and placed next to everything else. Of course, he murmured. You'll want to look lovely when you see him again.
Lina sighed and passed him back the bowl, and he noted with pleasure that she had nearly finished the whole thing. I'll dress now, she said, reaching for the clothes.
Do you need assistance? Xellos asked, eying her with worry.
No. I'll call for you when I'm ready to leave, she replied sharply, and he left the room, waiting outside the door until he heard her give the signal. He entered again, pausing for a moment as he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, obviously tired from the effort of dressing herself, but determined nonetheless. Her fiery hair spilled down her back in unruly waves, and she looked absolutely breathtaking, the light green silk clinging to her slender frame in just the right places.
You look stunning, he whispered, walking over to her. Can you stand?
Not for long, she admitted angrily, refusing to look into his face.
I understand, he replied, feeling her body stiffen as he took her into his arms. Let's go visit Gourry, shall we?
Lina said, and they were off.
He knew what they would find before they arrived. It wasn't his style to let information pass him by, and so he had set a few underlings on the swordsman. Yes, what they found was of no surprise to him at all, but he could tell it wasn't what Lina expected in the least.
When they appeared on the lawn of the manor house, the windows were dark and nothing moved save the winds through the tall grass. The estate was perfectly silent, the shutters of the house closed and the fence locked. What happened? Lina breathed, looking around.
Xellos walked over to the front door and set her down, letting her lean against the doorframe. There's a notice, he pointed out, watching her as she read it.
It says that those who have business with the Gabriev estate need to take it up with someone in town, she murmured. What happened here?
What's the address? Xellos asked. Lina told him and he nodded. I'll be right back, he said, and disappeared.
He returned a few minutes later, shaking his head. Lina pushed away from the wall and clutched at his cloak for balance, looking up into his face with fear written across her features. What is it? Is Gourry all right? What happened? she demanded, ruby eyes wide.
He's gone, Lina. He set out on a journey a while ago. It seems that he has moved on.
He's gone? He left? she whispered, desperation settling in her eyes.
Xellos sighed and nodded solemnly. He has his own life, Lina, and doesn't intend that you be part of it, he said as gently as he could. He has moved on, and most likely wants you to do the same.
But this was our home! she cried, tears forming in her eyes. How could he just leave it?
Xellos shook his head. Because that part of his life is over, Miss Lina. He has put it behind him and started something new.
Without me?
Without you.
No, no, no! Lina said, and collapsed against him in tears. Her sobs were muffled by the fabric of his cloak, but he could feel them rippling throughout her entire body. He put an arm around her and stroked her hair with his free hand, letting her release all her pain and disappointment.
After what seemed like an eternity, she began to slump against him, and he could tell that her strength was almost gone. Would you like to go now? he whispered gently. He felt her nod against his chest, and so he once again gathered her into his arms, taking her back to their home.
Once there, he put her back to bed and sat with her, stroking her hair as she buried her face in the pillow and cried. Poor dear, he murmured. I'm sorry you have had to feel so much pain for so long. He truly wished that there was something he could do for her, and then remembered the herb sticks the old woman had given him. Perhaps they wouldn't cure her of her heartbreak, but at least they would help her calm herself. She needed time, he told himself, and if there was one thing he had, it was time.