Promise

It was after two long, harrowing months that the burden of the second chain, along with the treasure it held, was removed from Celysiel's body. The silver ring slid against the thin links to fall on her hand, barely trembling as it once used to, yet further proof of the whispers' waning power. A chance of pale moonlight was reflected over the blue sapphire as the jewel was moved to its resting place on the bedstand. That it was deposited by the left of the black gauntlets, close to the cracked stone, was no coincidence.

Dismissing her shoes, she returned to the bed upon which the Surveyor's body had been set. It was large enough for her to claim some space of her own comfortably if she so desired, yet Celysiel crawled to his side, curling against the bed's wall. Like many a time when privacy was finally granted from those who visited the Adhemar estate in order assist, she carefully lifted Eraevin's head to set it on her lap. A sigh escaped her lips as she started brushing the priest's brown strands, though again there was no response. There had been none so far. The action only served for the apprentice's peace of mind.

"I will not read to you tonight." she mumbled, half-lidded eyes staring outside of the window. Though it had no reason to be open anymore, though principle, if not memory of better times, demanded it. Neither of the moons had yet risen over Eversong's trees, yet rays of soft radiance still made it within the room to barely touch he unconscious individual. "There is nothing intriguing to read, though I do not imagine you would find a point in me reading you in the first place." She tried to smile, yet a wave of exhaustion washed over her instead. "Not everything needs a point."

Her eyes closed with the temptation to surrender to exhaustion, yet the hand lost into his hair not once ceased its course of bestowed affection, as if having a life of its own. "But I think I understand now." the young elf whispered eventually, her quiet voice fading in the night. "You hated every time I claimed it to be so. For what could I know of years of suffering? Madness, contempt, mistrust? I was granted but a glimpse through your eyes."

A chill shook her shoulder, disturbing the peace. Yet when Celysiel's eyelids were lifted, no third figure greeted her. The suspicion of a faraway voice was erased as soon as it came.

"You were right." In admiting this, her voice did not waver. Its volume however remained low, sealing the secret under moonlight. "By the Sun, you have been right all along, yet I was naive. I wanted to make you happy, yet I could not even protect you in Stormsong, keep my promise fully. Forgive me."

Yet he did not. The re-educator did not open his eyes, his voice did not echo to grant her request. Like every time she besought him, he lay in her embrace, passive.

She reached forward in order to adjust the blankets over his form so to preserve his body temperature. For this new illness, the reason could be defined, thus only the symptoms could be treated. A ray of hope to be held.

"Was it truly an escape from pain?" Celysiel uttered, suddenly feeling a burn at her eyes, a hot streak of wetness detaching from her eyelashes. "Or did they force more upon you? Did you ever truly want it, or were you trying to be brave? Is this not why you have been letting me close all this time? To hold on?"

For two months, she had barely allowed herself to weep, preparing for the inevitable battle ahead. Now, another waited, yet surely she was allowed some reprieve after the Old One's destruction. Sobs started rocking her body, forcing the shadowmancer to lean forward while holding the priest. That small sense of relief dancing into the depths of her mind was only pushed aside by uncertainty threatening to summon a worse emotion, the one she had sworn herself: regret.

"You never told me if you wished to return. Not in Zuldazar, not when we were in your residence. Is this what you wanted, or have I damned you from one prison to another due to my selfishness?" The thought alone made her tremble. "By the Sun, what have I done-"

Her body began to sink, yet Celysiel did not allow herself to succumb. Shame hurried into her mind, pressed by a shadow lingering into the darkest corners. This was a display of weakness of a girl that she was no more. She shook her head, dismissing the tears with a single digit. They returned to the Surveyor's hair soon after so to continue their gentle caress.

"No." she amended. "I have come so far, I have brought you home. I know not what else I have left to give, but I would surrender it all willingly just so you may return to me." Her free hand travelled across his chest, resting over his heart, though separated by the blankets. Eager to trace its pain-stakingly low beat. "You do not have to protect me anymore, it is my turn now. I will keep holding on, being by your side. Shoulder your burdens. You deserve no less, Eraevin."

With a sigh, Celysiel rested her head back against the wall, welcoming a slowly rising sense of peace, like a grand wall against the agony far more than the last two months had wrought. A promise. A solemn vow.

"You deserve far more."