Why was it that even in death, I could still feel pain? I thought it was supposed to be warm with no pain. Maybe the priestesses' teachings were wrong. Not that I paid much attention to them in the first place.
The soft crackling of a fire tugged me from the darkness, the sheets under my cheek made my skin itch. I could make out the shape of a fire in the stone hearth across from where I laid. The wooden cabin was large, the main room consisted of a dining table that was covered in weapons, a small kitchen area with a few cups and plates and along a far wall were several bookshelves, each shelf stacked with books.
"Good, you're awake." a gruff voice spoke out from the doorway that was adjacent to the bed. He was Illyrian, he looked old like my father, but his green eyes were cold.
"Who are you?" my voice was rough coming out of my dry mouth.
The warrior blinked at me before filling a glass of water in the sink and handing it to me with a grunt. I pushed myself up enough to drink before he set the glass on the lone nightstand "Why were you being chased by Spring Court soldiers?"
Tears well in my eyes but they don't spill over "My mother was killed by their High Lord, and they tried to kill me too."
Confusion forms on his face. "That doesn't make any sense, the High Lord of the Spring should know that the High Lord of the Night will not let the death of his mate and daughter go without retribution."
"My mother was ambushed," I explain, "I had snuck away to track the Suriel when it told me that Spring soldiers were coming for us. By the time I arrived they killed my mother."
He stares at me for a moment "Your leg, shoulder and wing are damaged; I could return you to one of the war camps but there is no knowing if the High Lord of Spring is still searching. Something tells me he will not want to have any loose ends."
My heart beats loudly in my ears "The war has ended; my father would start another one if he knew I was still alive."
"He would start one for you being dead." he countered.
I sat up and leaned against the headboard, my leg, shoulder and wing were all bandaged, but something stuck out to me. Why was an Illyrian warrior doing out here on his own? My curiosity had already cost me my mother, perhaps it was best not to push it when he had just saved my life. "Can I ask your name at least?"
"Dron"
A small smile forms on my face as I look up at him "Nice to meet you, Dron. I'm Selsina"