I don't know how long I was out but it felt like a lifetime. I watched my life play out in my mind like a movie plays on the big screen. Too bad I didn't have any popcorn. I saw my birth, my childhood, everything. Then I saw him, Darrow. I saw him sitting beside me in my room. I lay on the bed, hands by my side and skin the color of ash. My typically bright white hair had turned a deep grey and my runes were glowing but were so faint I could barely see them. I floated beside my mate as he held my hand in his own. His head was bowed and he looked like he hadn't slept or ate in a long time. The door to the bedroom opened slightly and in walked Eodan. He padded up to his brother and lay a small hand on his shoulder. Darrow jerked slightly then lifted his head to look at his brother. It was then that I could see just how awful Darrow really looked. His eye's were a far cry from the bright green and gold orbs they once were. Now they were a dull green and not a trace of gold could be found. His skin had gone pale and his hair, a normally vibrant blue-black was now an ashen, muddy black. He was losing himself in his worry and fear of loosing me. I gasped when I saw him wince when he breathed. He was dying, he was dying because he believed I was dying. My thoughts were interupted when I heard a small voice.
"Hamesh? Brother, are ye alright?" Eodan asked his big brother.
"Yes wee lad, I'm fine. Just waitin' fer Nova to wake up." His voice cracked at the end.
"Hamesh...is Nova...is she..." Tears threatened to fall from the small boys eye's.
"No! No mah boy she'll be fine. Eh? She's strong it'n she? Tha strongest. Ye don't worry yer wee self. I'll bring 'er back ta us." He said as he lowered his head back to my knuckles and kissed them gently.
Eodan hugged his brothers back then turned and left just as quietly as when he came. I watched on unable to do anything to comfort my mate. I walked to my opposite side and tried to touch my cheek. It was like running my hand through sad. I could feel resistance but nothing solid, my hand went right through. I pulled my arm away and clasped my hand to my chest. A few moment's later the door opened again, this time Trixa's solemn face appeared. She walked to Darrow and placed a hand on his forehead. She clicked her tongue and tried to straighten him, he pushed her away.
"What good will you be to her when she wakes up if you look like death? Come on Darrow you need to eat." She said, hands on her hips.
"Nay, I'll eat when she does."
"Darrow...please, we all miss her...but you can't keep giving her all your energy. You'll die saving her then she'll follow you to the grave from grief. This isn't good for either of you. Please, eat something. It's been a week, I know you're starving."
A week?! Realization hit me, I've been in a coma then, and poor Darrow hasn't eaten anything this whole time. Upon further inspection I witnessed what Trixa was talking about. Darrow's eye's began to glow, as his skin illuminated as well. Suddenly I saw something I never thought I'd see in this lifetime. Darrow's skin, had runes. They began to glow a deep green as he whispered something into my knuckles. Then, I watched as Darrow's life essence left him and traveled up my arm and into my heart. The glow died away and Darrow slumped forward, onto my hip and the bed. Trixa barely caught him before he crumpled to the floor.
"Darrow! God's can't you see you're killing yourself!"
"Leave me.."
"Darrow..."
"LEAVE!" He bellowed.
Trixa stood, hands in fists at her side. Her eye's softened as she watched Darrow right himself and take my hand once more. She placed a hand on his shoulder then turned and softly closed the door behind her. My heart was breaking, he really was killing himself just so I could live. Suddenly, the door's leading to my balcony flew open. Darrow lifted his head with great effort and looked to the swaying curtains. Smoke, black as smog from hell fire filled the doorway then after a moment, dissipated and where it had gathered, now stood a very tall, handsome Valik. Once he had solidified he quickly rushed to Darrow's side to support him as he tried to rise from the chair. He grasped his shoulder and eased him back into the seat.
"Do not try to stand my lord." Valik said in his deep husky voice.
"Valik, how many times I 'ave ta tell ye, It's Darrow."
"Of course. My apologies."
"Did ye find it?"
"Yes. It took some doing but I found it."
"Good, take it ta tha king, he'll kno' wha' ta do with it."
"Right, I'll be back in a few."
Valik faded away as he walked towards the door and in an instant he was gone and once more it was Darrow and I, alone again. He brushed the back of his hand across my face and moved a piece of stray hair from my forehead.
"Don't ye worry lass, I'll have ye back ta yerself in no time. Just a lit'l while longer. God's Nova...I...I'll never forgive meh self fer what's happened ta ye. If I'd 'ave been stronger...I'm so sorry..."
He lowered his head as tears began to fall from his dark lashes. I too felt the tale-tell signs of tears flowing freely down my ethereal cheeks. We sat there, he on one side of my body, I on the other. Every so often he would whisper to me and give me his life essence. Each time, his runes glow dimmed a little more. It was well into the night when smoke filled the doorway to my balcony again. Valik stepped from the shadows and smoke and once more he helped Darrow up straight.
"Well?" Darrow asked.
"It's done. The queen is making a full recovery. She has already gained her color back and she's woken from her coma. The king's on his way here to see about Novara. You saved her mother's life Darrow, she'd be proud of you."
What?! My mother was injured? How? When? By who? I became enraged, unable to ask any questions or get any answers. I screamed into the nothingness, tears now streaming down my cheeks. I threw my fists down at my sides as anger and rage filled me. I screamed louder at the eternal nothing.
"Wait...did you.....did you hear that?" Valik asked as he twisted his head towards my unconscious body.
He heard me? Oh my God's he heard me!! Excitement burst forth from my chest in the form of an ear piercing scream. I tried my best to get through to him.
"VALIK!! VALIK I'M HERE!"
".....Nova?...NOVA? I hear you! Where are you?"
"I'M HERE!" I screamed back at him. All the energy and life essence Darrow had been pumping into me was fueling me and my powers but it was running out. I had to think fast!
"VALIK, FIND THE PROPHECY! FIND A CURE! HELP DARROW! TELL HIM...I LOVE HIM!" Tears came by the droves now as I felt all the built up energy leave me.
I took solace in knowing I'd gotten through the nothingness. I could only hope Valik understood what I meant, after all it wasn't just my life depending on him understanding. Darrow was knocking on deaths door....he HAD to figure it out, for both our sakes.