The soldiers made it back close to midnight, and they brought Hestia up to Sophie's room immediately. Elio saw they had bathed and re-clothed Sophie, and she looked more peaceful now, like she was sleeping.
He and Angelia sat in the room as Hestia the mermaid sang and played her harp next to Sophie. He closed his eyes, letting her song sink into him. Music magic was special and rare. He had no idea how it worked, just that it could touch a part of you that even life magic couldn't reach. It released the lock around his heart, made him feel safe to feel. And he wasn't even the target of this song.
"That should do it!" said Hestia when the song was over.
"But she's still out," said Angelia, laying a hand on Sophie's forehead. She tried some of her healing magic, but it didn't have any effect.
"She needs to be revived first," Elio realized. That required Life Magic. "And, um..." Why was he suddenly nervous? He hid it by giving a princely bow. "May I?"
Angelia stepped back with a smile, and gestured to Sophie.
Elio took Sophie's hand again, this time interlacing their fingers. It was still cold, but not clammy like before. He whispered the words and traced the runes in the air, as if singing her a comforting song of his own. And he felt the warmth return to her hand, and saw the rosiness come back to her face.