Whoa. It has takin me forever to this chappie up. Gomen nasai for all my faithful readers. I had a hell of a writer's block. I promise I will update more often from now on, I swear. Any who on with the show.

Disclaimer: don't own, never have, never will (but ya can't stop a girl from dreamin!)

Dillandu wasn't sure how long he lay in darkness before the pain dragged him to the surface of consciousness once more. At first it was the slight tremors that ran from his shoulder wound, but sudden surge of pain brought him back fully.

He lay there, to weak and into much pain to recognize his surroundings, but he could make out gentle face. With her pale eyes and flowing curls she could only be an angel. Suddenly the angel turned her back and walked away. He grabbed at her, pleading that she not leave him to die alone. The rest was all a blur.

Celena awoke to soft moaning. She hadn't even realized she had dozed off. Eric was still quietly curled up on her lap. Her eyes traveled to where the soft sounds were coming from. The young Albino, Dillandu, was tossing restlessly about, his face taunt and drawn with pain.

She gently slid out from beneath Eric and moved towards the bed. Wringing a cloth in the basin of cool water, she bathed his face and chest slowly. It seemed to quiet him a little.

Celena internally berated herself for dozing off. His fever had risen while she had slept. His pale cheeks were flushed a light pink, and he panted for breath between his slightly parted lips. His body was so very weak.

During the night he had awakened in small intervals, usually just longer enough for Celena to give him what was needed and mumble something incoherent, before surrendering to weariness once more. Celena could fell the compassion and pity tug at heart as she watched him struggle to breath.

"I had better go make so tea, maybe some broth too. No doubt he'll be hungry when he comes to," Celena thought aloud.

So hot...so very, very hot. His body felt as though it were burning from the inside out. And there pain. It hurt so much just to breath. His mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. His shoulder throbbed with each pulsating beat of his heart. It took all his strength just to pry his eye lids open.

The surroundings Dillandu saw were strange to him. He was in a large, richly furnished room with pale violet walls. The bed in witch he lay bore a canopy of rich, black, velvet hangings the matched the bed sheets. Directly across from the oak bed laid huge fireplace in witch a few embers still glowed. In the chair near the hearth a small figure was curled up sleeping. It appeared to be a child, no older than seven or eight years of age. Most likely the child of his of his obviously wealthy caretaker.

He was abruptly pulled from his thought as her some one coming down the hall. The door opened to a young blond woman with a pale but cheery face.

"Oh good you're awake"

So did ya like. R&R and you get an you get a new chappie. I've already started on it so it won't take nearly as long to get up. oh and thanks all who reviewed the last chapter