Chapter Six: The Sleep
"Hey Malorn..." I look up and see none other than Cole.
"Cole...what are you doing here?" He walked over slowly and sat on the bench next to me. I was in my usual spot outside Nicole's cottage. She ended up with enough funds in the time I didn't see her to afford one just like mine.
"Just thought I'd come to visit... It's been awhile."
"I'm guessing you want to...?"
"Yeah." he replied with a quick nod.
I opened the door and let us inside.
"You know the usual," I said as my mood darkened.
"Right."
I led Cole upstairs to where Nicole laid on her bed. Medications and other things were constantly being given by her faithful pets, tending to the needs she couldn't on her own. Sir Chester the dragon was the only one who was constantly curled in a ball at her side on the bed.
"How long has...?"
"Three months to the day."
"And she hasn't moved...?"
"No." I replied curtly.
Both of us stared at the bed in defeat.
"Has Moolinda tried-?"
"Yes."
"What about-?"
"Yes."
"And Professor-?"
"Yes. Always the know-it-all Life student, eh Cole?"
"Damn right." He replied with a small smirk. He walked over to the bed and brushed a stray hair out of her precious face. "You're lucky, you know." I stared at him quizzically and he gestured to her again. "She's beautiful." Cole stood and put a hand on my shoulder. "Take good care of my best friend."
I nodded. "I'll never leave her."
Cole nodded and teleported away.
I stared at the bed for a long time. I watched her small frame rise and fall with her breath. Her perfectly straight light brown hair framed the face that was the most beautiful picture I'd ever see. Her eyes... closed. I wish I could see that brilliant electric blue with light dancing in her eyes one more time. She's a wizard of Fire, of light. Not this... never this...
I looked at her fully again, and saw Sir Chester under her hand... Oh how I'd love to touch and hold her soft, small hand. She always had the smallest hands I'd ever seen. And I-
Sir Chester under her hand...?
She had to have moved.
I walked over to the bedside and sat next to her. I ran my fingers slowly through her hair and leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. Her skin was warm... a good sign. I kissed her again, running my hands along the sides of her body. I opened my eyes and saw the slightest trace of a smile, but it vanished when I stopped.
"Nicole... please..." I whispered, tracing her body again. I kissed her cheek, her neck, and just above her breast. I laid my head on her chest and kissed her neck again. I heard her breath catch.
I looked up to see her.
She was smiling.
Her hand dropped off Sir Chester onto my leg.
"Nicole...? Nicole, please..." I whispered again, tracing the pattern of her firm stomach with my fingertips. I grazed where her leg met her hip and traced around. I leaned close and breathed on her neck, hoping to tickle her. She sighed.
I kissed her cheek again.
And though she barely responded, we continued through the night.
*The next day...*
I woke to find myself lying in bed with Nicole in my arms. She hadn't woken at all, but she responded to everything.
I would breathe on her neck and she would sigh. I kissed her and she smiled. Her breath would catch when I ran my fingers through her hair.
I stared at her again, admiring her. She's beautiful, even in her peaceful sleep.
I kissed her forehead and gently laid her back into a comfortable position alone. I stood up and went to find something for breakfast, watching her smile as I walked away. I scratched my head and rubbed my eyes, trying to wake myself up.
I was a step down the stairs when I thought I heard something, but I dismissed it, my mind playing games.
I was up nearly the whole night with her, toying with her in my attempt to stir her. I had thought I'd heard something from her lips at least once every hour, but I was being stupid.
"Mmm..."
I froze in my tracks. Then I heard it again.
"Mmm..."
It was the faintest of a groan... but I heard it. I ran back up the stairs and looked at her.
Her eyes were tight in concentration, as if she was trying to remember something. But again and again, she made the same groaning sound. I was by her side in an instant.
"Nicole... it's Malorn. Nicole... Nicole Spiritflame, I love you."
Then she was still.
My heart sank into my stomach, and I felt a knot form in seconds.
"Nicole, I love you. I truly love you. I'll never leave you. I will be here when you wake up."
The smile disappeared from her face. Feeling dead inside, I turned to walk away.
"Malorn... I love you."
I turned around to see her shining blue eyes and a smile. She couldn't yet sit up though.
"Nicole," I breathed. I ran to the bed and lifted her up and into my arms. When I held her, she reached up and held my face in her hands and closed the gap between our lips.
Her lips were soft and tasted like roasted marshmallows. Her breath on my tongue was sweet and full of life. I pulled her close to me, running my free hand through her hair. She pulled back.
"I love you." she breathed.
"I love you too."