Chapter Twenty-Three: Plague
Holding her cheek as blood slowly dripped over her fingers. Alessia was wincing in pain as her vision blurred. The pain in her cheek was causing her to whimper as she took a couple deep breaths. Running down the street of the city.
"Watch it girl!" A man shouted as she ignored him. She dashed around the city folk before making it back to the Tower. Knowing full well that Liandrin would be on her soon. She avoided everyone she could. The Tower was full of women and it was hard for her to maneuver around. Hiding behind doors, curtains, anything she can hide from. She managed to make it to the red floor and found Tarna's door and knocked on it.
"Tarna Sedai!" Alessia shouted while knocking. The door opened as she let herself.
"Alessia, what in the name of Light is going on?" Tarna asked as Alessia let her hand drop. "What happened? Why don't you go see a yellow sister?" Tarna asked while gently touching her cheek. Alessia winced and stepped back.
"I can't. They'll ask too many questions. Can you heal it?" Alessia asked. She was frowning.
"Only if you tell me what happened." Tarna spoke and crossed her arms.
"Liandrin." Alessia spoke and felt her cheeks stung. "I can't tell anyone else." Tarna nodded and gently touched Alessia's cheek again. Feeling the warm sensation as her cheek was healed now.
"Thank you." Alessia spoke and gave Tarna a hug. Hearing a knock.
"Tarna Sedai." It was Liandrin's voice. Alessia gasped. She received a confused look. Alessia remembered her necklace! She took it off and handed it to her friend.
"She will find you. You can't avoid her forever. You belong to her, remember?" Tarna spoke. Alessia frowned and turned her heels and ran. Going outside to the patio and closed the door. Hiding behind it. Hearing the door open and closed.
"Have you seen Alessia?" Liandrin asked as Alessia was listening in.
"She was just here. Liandrin what did you do?" Tarna asked as Alessia could hear the hurt in Liandrin's voice.
"I messed up." The older woman spoke.
"I saw her cheek. I healed it. She came to me." Tarna spoke.
"Where did you get that?" Liandrin asked.
"She took it off and handed it to me. I assume you have the following weave on it?" Tarna asked.
"Yes. I screwed up. So badly. My poor flower!" Liandrin spoke as her voice cracked.
"What exactly happened?" Tarna asked. Alessia could hear the sign from Liandrin.
"I went to visit him. She followed me. I didn't think she would. I didn't see her. Not until after her hood fell." Liandrin explained. Alessia could feel the pain coming from Liandrin. It seemed the older woman had unmasked their bond. The sadness she was feeling. The heartache she felt came from Liandrin. Alessia felt her eyes water again as she touched her chest. Her own heart was hurting now.
"I masked our bond because I did not want her to feel my pain when I went to see him." Liandrin spoke as Alessia could have sworn she could hear Liandrin crying.
"That was your first mistake. Masking it. She probably got worried and I told you, you have to tell her sooner than later. Now look at what happened." Tarna spoke.
"I know. I feel like I lost her for good. How do I fix this?" Liandrin asked.
"I don't know. You attacked her. You broke the oaths in front of her. Who knows what's going to happen." Tarna spoke.
"No. She wouldn't tell. Would she?" Liandrin asked. Alessia shook her head at this.
"Well, she came to me about her cheek and not a yellow sister. So there is that." Tarna spoke reassuring Liandrin. Alessia felt something crawl on her arm. She looked over and there was a massive spider crawling on her arm! She screamed and wiped her arm as she swatted the spider away.
"Who's there?" Liandrin's voice came. Alessia had to think quickly. She turned and started to climb over the rails to the next room. She managed to get over it and turned. Her eyes catching Liandrin's. Feeling her heart break as she turned and made a run for it again.
She knew she couldn't avoid Liandrin forever. Not since her heart still wanted the woman. She frowned and shook her head. Making a dash to her bedroom and grabbing the healing books before leaving quickly. She held onto the books and bowed to any Aes Sedai that she was walking past her. She kept looking over her shoulder as her heart rate went up from fear. She made it to the yellow floor and let herself inside the room. There was no one there yet today. Alessia decided to take a seat at the desk not far from the back of the room. Pulling out a book and setting it up against the wall to read. She was taking notes while filling and refilling the medicine bottles. Her mind kept going back to Liandrin. 'How can I fear someone I love?' Alessia spoke to herself and covered her face with her hands and groaned. 'She hurt you.' 'It wasn't her fault. You snuck up on her.' The voice spoke in the back of her head. She was now having an internal fight with herself. She rubbed her temples before going back to reading. There were voices now in the room. It seemed Chesmal was talking to a few girls while healing. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Alessia jumped.
"Just me dear. Give me a hand?" Chesmal asked as Alessia nodded. She got up and walked over to one of the girls.
"What happened?" Alessia asked as a girl was holding her arm.
"I fell." She spoke. Alessia gently touched the arm as the girl winced. 'Likely story.' She told herself. Then again, who was she to judge? There was a knock on the door. Alessia began to channel to heal the girl's broken arm.
"Thank you Sheriam Sedai." Chesmal's voice spoke.
"There. All set!" Alessia smiled at the girl who gave her a hug before dashing out of the room. Her eyes caught the yellow ajah who smiled at her.
"The Amyrlin Seat wishes to speak to you. In the Hall." The woman in yellow spoke.
"Now?" Alessia asked as she nodded. Alessia bowed to the woman before taking her leave. Was she in trouble? She couldn't be. Unless Liandrin said something? She took a deep breath as she made it to the ground floor of the Tower. She was trying to move quickly but not trying to look like anything was up. She turned into the hallway that led to the Hall. She stopped. Liandrin was there looking at her. She felt her heart race from just looking at the beautiful woman. 'Stop!' Alessia yelled at herself. Tarna had her arms crossed looking at her. Alessia felt her heart ache and frowned. Liandrin felt it too by the look on her face. She was frowning as well.
"In you go dear." Alanna's voice came from behind her. She nodded and walked forward. Her eyes on the door as it opened. The two reds went inside as well as Alessia followed. Alanna behind her. She stopped in the center and bowed to Siuan who was smiling at her. Those brown eyes made her smile.
"Hello daughter. I heard you are excelling under Yellow's teachings." Siuan spoke as Alessia nodded with a light smile.
"How do you think you did?" The older woman asked. There was a look in the woman's eye she did not recognize. It was admiration? No, there was love in her eyes. Alessia recognized it and she could not help but smile at the woman.
"I feel like there is still much to learn, Mother." Alessia spoke. Siuan nodded her head.
"I understand your training under the Yellow comes to an end in a few days. You will pick up under Brown. We will have you travel out to Adeleas Sedai's residence where she and Verin Sedai will train you in their areas. Then Moiraine will pick up after once they are done with your lessons." Siuan spoke. Alessia felt her heart rate go up at this. She was leaving in a few days. She felt a slight anger inside of her. It was coming from Liandrin. Alessia couldn't help but send a slight bit of love towards the woman before the fear overtook her.
"You dismissed my daughter. As are you Alanna." Siuan said. Alessia nodded and bowed again. She turned and took her leave. Feeling the blue eyes watching her.
"Are you excited?" Alanna's voice came.
"Huh?" Alessia asked with a confused look as she turned to look at the woman in green.
"You're going to see Moiraine soon!" Alanna spoke while grabbing Alessia's shoulders to sway them. Alessia blushed at this but her heart was still pounding in fear. "How about a dance? You seem like you could use it." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Feeling the woman in green lay a hand on her back to lead her to the gardens. She smiled weakly at this. She watched Alanna dance. This woman was already catching her attention to distract her. Alessia then joined in. Hearing a laugh from Alanna as her warders came to join. Alessia took a step to the side to watch the three of them dance. There were some shouting as Alessia looked over her shoulders. Seeing a few yellow ajah rushing up the stairs. Her eyes caught Liandrin's as the woman in red was marching over to her. More like storming. Alessia felt her heart beat as fear rose in her again. Liandrin felt it and stopped. Watching her with a pained look on her face. They both frowned.
"Alessia! Come dance!" Alanna's voice shouted as she laughed. Alessia kept her eyes on Liandrin before turning away to watch Alanna again. The woman was channeling to her warders. There was so much love between the three of them. There were rushed footsteps as Alessia felt her arm grab. She turned and was face to face with Liandrin. The woman in red wasn't holding her arm tightly but it was just enough to hold onto her. Alessia wanted to melt right there into her arms but she pulled away. Frowning.
"My flower. Please come with me." Liandrin spoke softly to hear. Alessia shook her head. Her eyes began to sting with tears again. "I need to talk to you please. Please don't walk away from me. I need you." Liandrin spoke. This made Alessia's heart shatter. She needed her as well. Hearing a shout, Chesmal came up behind Liandrin.
"Alessia! Thank the Light! We need your help in the infirmary." The woman in yellow spoke. Alessia didn't ask questions as she followed the woman. They were running now to head up to the yellow floor.
"What's happening?" Alessia asked as they made a dash down the hall. She could feel the red ajah not far behind. Truth be told, she could focus better with her around. They came into the room and Alessia gasped. There were several people in the beds.
"What happened?" Alessia asked again as she ran over to a young woman and felt her forehead. She had a fever. The woman leaned up and coughed up blood. Her eyes went wide as she pulled a bucket over for her.
"A plague or something." Chesmal spoke as Alessia rounded onto her.
"Aren't there supposed to be wards up around the city to prevent pests from coming in?" Alessia asked.
"Yes but apparently something or someone interfered with them. We need to do damage control before we check." Chesmal explained as Alessia nodded her head. She went back to the woman to help her lay back down. She channeled spirit to come to her as she rested a hand upon the woman's forehead. Seeing her take in a deep breath and smile.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Get some rest." Alessia spoke as she turned to help another patient. She felt her stamina drain more and more with each patient she went to help.
"Take a break." Chesmal spoke as Alessia shook her head.
"No. I can do this." Alessia spoke. Feeling the woman touch her shoulder before leaving. She was healing a fever a little boy brought in. Hearing another shout as another group of people came in. Alessia frowned at this.
"We need to isolate those who are sick and not sick." Alessia spoke as she pulled curtains around a bed. Knowing Liandrin was watching her with a small hint of sadness and pride. Alessia was busy trying to help the sick. She could feel her lover's emotions as her own eyes were watering. Pushing the thoughts back as she wiped her forehead and began healing again. Feeling her energy draining more and more. She felt weak and tired. She wanted to keep pushing on.
"Alessia. Come on. You need to rest." Chesmal spoke as she took Alessia's arm gently.
"No. I can still do this! I'm not going to stop until this passes. I'm stronger than what people give me credit for." Alessia protested.
"You will wear yourself out. Try and get them healed before you pass out then." Chesmal spoke with a warning tone in her voice. Alessia nodded her head and went to grab the medicine from the cabinet. She walked over and poured a few to mix them and went back to the first woman.
"Drink. Should help keep the cough away." Alessia explained as the woman nodded and drank it. Seeing her make a disgusted face. "Didn't say it tasted good." Alessia spoke while taking the empty bottles to the other room. Seeing Chesmal started to lose energy as well. Alessia rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I got this. Just more people we are used to." She spoke as Alessia nodded. She began to channel and weaved her arms like she saw back in the cave with Logain and sent her One's Power to link with Chesmal who smiled at her. Seeing the woman in the yellow channel. Healing a few people together at once. They sighed in relief to catch their breaths.
"I think that is all of them for the day." Chesmal spoke as Alessia nodded. Sitting down in a chair and fanning herself. It was hot now. She got back up after a small moment of break and began to help clean up. Seeing the patients leave.
"Liandrin Sedai, unless you are helping, please leave." Chesmal spoke. Alessia looked back up. Sure enough the red ajah nodded her head. Keeping her eyes on Alessia before turning to leave. Alessia could feel the sadness again. There was guilt as well. Alessia was grabbing the sheets off the beds to put them in a basket. She grabbed the basket and made her way down the halls to drop off the laundry. She turned and made her way back to the infirmary. Hearing a scream made her run towards it. There was a boy in the bed shouting.
"Alessia, examine him." Chesmal spoke as Alessia nodded. She began to channel. The streams circled her hands as she moved them slowly across the boy's body. Her heart fell.
"Broken rib pierced the lung." She spoke. Chesmal frowned and nodded. "Might be internal bleeding." She spoke and lifted his shirt. There was a large purple and black bruise.
"Scratch that. There is internal bleeding." She spoke seeing Chesmal bring in a tray.
"I thought there was no mundane healing with you?" Alessia frowned at the sight as two more yellow sisters came in.
"Hold his head down." Chesmal instructed as Alessia did. She gently touched his head to keep it in place. "This is going to hurt." Chesmal spoke as she pulled out a small looking knife. Alessia gasped. Hearing the kid scream as Alessia looked away. Hearing a small snap as the lung bone was set right before them quickly healed him. Alessia felt her stomach turn. She ran out of the room and over a rail. Feeling the bile gush from her throat as she coughed. Closing her eyes tightly as she wiped her mouth. Feeling a hand touch her back to rub it. She jumped. It was Liandrin.
"Let it out, my flower." The woman in red spoke. Alessia felt her body shake as it happened again. Her throat was burning now.
"You have no right to call me that." Alessia spoke in a low voice. Feeling her hands grip the rail tightly.
"Let me explain please." Liandrin spoke softly. Pulling Alessia's hair back. Alessia caught her breath and sighed. Wiping her mouth again before standing up straight.
"I need to head back." She spoke. Avoiding Liandrin's eyes as the woman tried pulling her into a hug. Alessia let her do so for a moment before her eyes stung again. She pushed away and walked back into the infirmary.
She cleaned up before heading back to the boy who was asleep now. She felt his forehead as his fever had disappeared.
"We need to put the wards back up or redo them." Chesmal spoke to the other sisters.
"Alanna said she would take a couple sisters with her to help. The more hands we have, the quicker it'll go." The woman in yellow spoke.
"May I help? I need to learn how to do ward weaves." Alessia spoke up.
"Yes, get changed and meet Alanna at the stables." Chesmal spoke as Alessia nodded. She realized she had stuff on her dress. She bowed.
"Oh and Alessia?" Chesmal asked as Alessia turned around to look at the woman in yellow. "You did good today. Mother will hear about it." Chesmal smiled as did Alessia before she turned and had a small skip to her walk. She felt proud of herself. She came to her room and quickly changed. Looking around to make sure she wasn't followed. She made her way to the stables. Seeing the woman in green.
"Alanna Sedai!" Alessia shouted. Causing the woman to jump and laugh.
"I deserve that one. Are you joining me?" Alanna asked as Alessia nodded. "Wonderful!" She spoke as Alessia mounted her brown horse before following Alanna. She was finally going to learn a new weave and help out more. She followed Alanna to the edge of the city and dismounted.
"Allow it to flow from you to the wall." Alanna instructed as Alessia nodded. She closed her eyes as she channeled. Feeling her arms weave as she pushed it forward. It was weak but it was a start. Alanna had to strengthen it.
"Not bad. A few more, I am sure you will get the hang of it." Alanna spoke as Alessia smiled with a nod. These last several hours is what she needed to keep herself distracted. She weaved again to create another ward to set up. Seeing the shimmering of the ward as the light reflected against it. She hummed softly while following the green ajah as they made their way around the city. It took a few hours to get done. Alessia had the weave down now.
"Well. Looks like we are done. Well done!" Alanna spoke while side hugging Alessia. "You ate today?" She shook her head. She saw an apple handed to her. This woman. Alessia chuckled and took it. Taking a bite and smiling. The juice hit her tongue and sighed a little. It was delicious. They rode their horses back to the Tower.
"I'll be escorting you by the way." Alanna spoke. It took a minute for Alessia to realize what she was saying.
"So, I get to spend more time with you?" Alessia asked with a smile as she looked at the woman in green.
"I knew you couldn't get enough of me!" Alanna spoke as Alessia rolled her eyes playfully with a laugh. Feeling another hug from the woman before her arm was around Alessia's shoulders as they made their way inside.
They went their separate ways as night had fallen.
"Alessia?" Nynaeve's voice made her smile as she turned and hugged her friend.
"We could have used your help earlier." Alessia spoke as Nynaeve smiled while putting her hands behind her back while holding a book.
"Yes. What happened?" Nynaeve asked.
"A plague hit." Alessia frowned as Nynaeve gasped. "We got those infected healed and went out to help reset the wards." Alessia explained as they were walking down a hall. Alessia had her hands behind her back now.
"That's good. Sheriam has been having me try to channel. Still not working. I think this block means something." Nynaeve spoke as Alessia frowned. Touching her friend's shoulder.
"You'll get over the block. We just need to find a way to unlock it in you." Alessia spoke as her friend nodded her head. They made their way to the yellow floor. She felt something tug in her chest as she ignored it. Frowning. Liandrin was trying to reach out to her. Alessia was being stubborn. She could feel her cheek burn just by thinking about it. She sighed a little and looked down. Watching her feet carry her to the infirmary while they entered the room. Seeing the room almost empty except the boy from earlier.
"Wards are reset Chesmal Sedai." Alessia spoke as she bowed to the woman.
"Ah good! Thank you. You Nynaeve?" The woman in yellow asked. Her friend nodded. "Good. Come with me. We will get you started." She left as Nynaeve followed her. Alessia decided to get back to cleaning the room and making the beds. She sat down at the desk from earlier and went back to her studies. Chesmal and Nynaeve hadn't come back. The candles were burning down lowly as shadows danced along the walls as she was reading her books. Her eyes were getting heavy. Her head began bobbing as she finally stood up and walked out of the room. Not knowing where her feet led her. She went inside a room and closed the door. Laying on a bed that had a familiar scent that overwhelmed her as she passed out.
"Move out!" A voice shouted. Alessia looked around and saw many people in different colors running about in a camp. She frowned and heard a loud explosion. She looked around and saw no one familiar.
"The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills." A familiar voice spoke. She looked around and saw Moiraine in all her beauty and glory. Her heart was singing when she saw the woman in blue. She was weaving. Creating a swirling streams of silver going above her head. Moiraine was cloud dancing. Then it hit her. She was back in the Two Rivers. She felt her sword in her hand as she swung at a Trolloc. Ducking as a mace swung at her head. Seeing the Trolloc sliced in half from a weave. She looked over as Moiraine was watching her. She nodded her thanks to the woman in blue. She saw Lan from the corner of her eye as he was doing his duties as a warder. The smell of blood made her stomach turn as she pushed it back. She had not dared leave Moiraine's side in this fight until she heard a scream. It was Egwene. Her heart was pounding as she ran towards the voice. She had stopped and saw a woman standing in the spot where her friend was supposed to be. The woman was in purple.
"Who are you?" Alessia asked.
"Not your time yet." The woman spoke before she weaved her arms fluidly and fast. The next thing Alessia knew, there was a flash of white light and the woman was gone. She looked around to find her. Hearing another shout, Alessia looked back over her shoulder as saw Lan catching Moiraine. Alessia ran over to the woman in blue and rested her hands across Moiraine's cheek.
"Tell me what to do!" Alessia shouted. Her eyes were stinging from tears.
"Tell me you love me." Moiraine spoke in a tone she had never heard before.
"I love you Moiraine!" Alessia shouted. Holding the woman in her arms as Lan pulled out the dagger. The Trolloc poison is spreading now.
"I can't channel!" Alessia shouted while hearing a cough.
"We need to get her to a camp and get her healed." Lan instructed. Alessia nodded as she helped Moiraine stand up. Seeing more Trollocs coming into sight.
"We can't take them on. There's too many." Lan spoke.
"We have to try." Moiraine spoke. Her blue eyes were watering.
"Take her and go! I'll handle it!" Alessia shouted.
"No! You must come with me! I can't lose you again!" Moiraine shouted. Seeing Lan pick her up and hoist her on a horse. Alessia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Feeling the Source channel around her body. She screamed as she created a pulse that sonic boomed all across the village. Killing the Trollocs in process. Alessia felt her cheeks burning.
"Nooo!" A voice screamed as Alessia fell to her knees. She couldn't see anymore.
"In this life or the next." Alessia whispered. Then there was nothing. She had saved the people in the village.
Alessia jumped up. Seeing the light outside from the windows. She looked around and saw she was in a room she hadn't seen before. The blankets were blue. The pillow cases were blue. It was Moiraine's room. Alessia grabbed a pillow and hugged it. Letting the tears fall before taking a deep breath. She will be leaving tomorrow. It felt odd. To leave the Tower where she had finally called it home. She set the pillow back and left the room. Making sure it looked like nothing had disturbed it. She went back to the infirmary and sat back down at the desk. She was reading a new book as her eyes began to get heavy again. She laid her head down without knowing she had passed out again. It was then when she felt someone shake her awake.
"I know you were studying, but time to wake up." Chesmal's voice spoke as Alessia sat up. Seeing she had read most of the book and she had many notes written down.
"Sorry. I passed out from studying." Alessia spoke as she stood up. Seeing Tarna smirking at her with her arms crossed. She raised a brow at her friend as Chesmal left.
"Liandrin is looking for you." Tarna spoke as Alessia frowned. "At least hear what she has to say." Her friend added.
"She hurt me. She broke the oaths." Alessia whispered to her friend.
"Within reason. You snuck up on her in an area where you were not supposed to be in." Tarna also added. She was not wrong. Maybe she was the one at fault.
"Maybe you are right." Alessia sighed and looked down.
"I know I am. Talk to her." Tarna spoke as she turned and left in time for a man carrying a woman into the room. He was crying.
"I need Chesmal Sedai!" Alessia shouted as she cleared a bed for the man to set the woman down.
"What happened?" Alessia asked while she cut open the shirt to reveal a large open wound. She felt her throat burn as she gagged. Forcing it back as she was listening to the man.
"We had a small fight. I didn't mean to!" The man started to cry.
"Hey, focus." Alessia spoke as the man got on his knees holding his wife's hand. "Where is Chesmal Sedai?!" Alessia shouted as she cleaned around the wound. Using her channeling to heal as the wound was slowly closing. Hearing the woman cough.
"Don't you give up on me!" Alessia spoke. This kind of wound she was not prepared for. Hearing hurried footsteps as Chesmal finally came in.
"Thank the Light!" Alessia spoke.
"We had a disagreement over something so small and stupid. We just got married." The man spoke. Apparently he had injured his wife. Alessia frowned at his story.
"We need to cut her open and pull the object out." Chesmal spoke.
"What?!" Alessia shouted. She was definitely not prepared for this. Hearing a groan from the woman as blood had squirted from her wound. Alessia had gotten a full hit all over her chest and neck. She was frozen in horror. Chesmal handed her the tools to put aside as she began to work.
"I wish we had time. Even the Aes Sedai life is short!" The man began to cry.
"Someone get this man out of here!" Chesmal shouted. Seeing another yellow ajah come in and pull the man out of the room. Alessia frowned as she put pressure on an area. There was so much blood. She felt dizzy.
"We're losing too much blood!" Chesmal's voice shouted as her mind began to get hazy as the voices slowed down and went deep. It felt like time slowed down around her as figures were blurring when they went past her. Alessia began to channel to help heal the woman. They had managed to close the wound but the damage was already done. The woman had lost her life.
Alessia frowned as she closed the woman's eyes. Hearing her heartbeat in her ears. Her heart fell as it was aching. Her first loss from healing. Feeling a hand on her shoulder as Alessia wiped her forehead. Not knowing she wiped blood on it. Hearing the man wail from outside the room. Alessia felt her heart break at the sound. A small argument. He lost his wife over a small argument. She frowned as Chesmal had dismissed her. Saying they did all they could. Alessia shook her head. She felt like she could have done better. No. There was something she had to do. She quickly left the room and leaned against the wall. Tears falling down her cheeks. She was tired of the pain and loss. She began to walk. Not knowing where her feet were taking her. She stopped outside a door and heard two familiar voices.
"I tried talking to her." Liandrin spoke. Her voice was full of hurt.
"She's come around." Tarna's voice came.
"What if she doesn't? Have I truly lost my flower?" Liandrin spoke. Alessia could have sworn she heard a sob.
"She's been busy after the wards were down. People got sick." Tarna spoke. Alessia opened the door and closed it behind her. Hearing the two reds go silent while looking at her.
"Well shit." Was all Tarna spoke. Alessia's eyes caught Liandrin who was looking at her in horror.
"We lost someone. I..I never lost someone from healing before." Alessia spoke softly. She felt her knees give out as she fell to her knees. "I'm so sorry Liandrin. I was being childish." Alessia frowned. Hearing footsteps come towards her.
No no my love. I should have never hurt you like that." Liandrin spoke while wrapping her arms around Alessia who hugged her back tightly. "Come, let me get you cleaned."
"Well this was a bloody reunion." Tarna spoke as she took her leave. Alessia however was holding onto Liandrin tightly.
They were in a washroom as Liandrin locked the door. Weaving a ward so they would not be overheard or disturbed. Setting the water temperature before helping Alessia undress and slowly get into the water. She shivered and frowned. Feeling a tear fall again before rinsing her face clean. She saw from the corner of her eyes that Liandrin had gotten undressed and joined her. Feeling a sponge rub against her skin to wash clean the blood.
"It's time we talked." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nodded her head lightly. "I want to apologize again for hurting you. You have to understand the things I do does not make me a good person." Liandrin spoke as Alessia looked down.
"Who is that man?" Alessia asked. Feeling arms wrapped around her. Across her waist and chest as Alessia was held close. "He is my son." Liandrin spoke as Alessia turned to face her.
"You have a son?" She frowned as Liandrin nodded. "You laid with a man? I thought you hated men?" Alessia was frowning now.
"I do. More than anything. My son is the only exception. I would do anything for him." Liandrin spoke. Alessia felt her heart ache a little. Liandrin is a mother. She knew that mothers always had this thing for protecting their children no matter what. She felt a squeeze.
"It also does not change the fact that I would do anything for you as well my flower." Liandrin added.
"I would do the same for you." Alessia spoke as she cupped Liandrin's cheek. Caressing it. Watching the older woman close her eyes and lean into the touch.
"Alessia my love." Liandrin spoke with a frown. Alessia looked into the blue eyes with love.
"What is it?" Alessia spoke. Watching Liandrin try to take a deep breath as it was caught in her throat.
"My love. Please do not leave me." Liandrin spoke. Alessia leaned in and kissed Liandrin deeply. Holding the woman close.
"I would never." Alessia spoke softly. "Why would I?" Alessia asked. Not looking away from the blue eyes she had fallen in love with.
"Because I am a Dark Friend." Liandrin confided her darkest secret to Alessia.