Take A Step Back

She locked eyes with Corvin. He looked worried, plagued by something. His clouded expression was a sign that he hadn't slept in a while. He looked worse for wear.

" How long?" She massaged her throat, to soothe the soreness and the stinging pain.

" Three days," He understood what she was asking. Spending three moons with each other day in and day out had made it easier for her to make herself understood even with a few words. Not that she was able to say more at that moment.

" Poison. You were poisoned with nightshade. The tip of the lance was dipped in it. I don't know if the others were but, I didn't feel the effects of the poison. I believe that, that one was meant for either of us. They got to you first, " He carried on speaking as he stacked the pillows behind her back and helped her lean back.

" You are going," She rasped as he went to get the food from the table.

" Yes. Dakran returned the day before. He has allowed me to stay until we knew for certain whether you will survive or not. Now that your fate has been decided, " He took a deep breath," I must return to my people, " She nodded in understanding, and looked up at him. It was for the better.

Corvin dragged a chair from the table, and took a seat beside the bed, spooning what it looked like stew mushed up together. Just like you do it for children when you wean them off milk. A smile, a bitter smile crept on her lips. She had never had a chance to do that for Azra. With a shaky sigh, she took the spoon and the plate out of his hand. Swallowing the food, was harder than she had thought it would, as it scraped her already raw throat, all the way down.

" There is no rush. Take your time," He hummed as he leaned back in his chair observing her difficulty in swallowing. She merely nodded in response and slowly took another mouthful.

" If, " He sighed, and closed his eyes, " I would like to apologise for all that I have said and done. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. And if you don't...You don't have to see me ever again," His shoulders sagged, and turned to look out the window. He sounded sincere, although forgiveness wasn't exactly her strong suit.

" Does this mean I'm no longer your slave," There was a tinge of mockery in her tone, as she scooped some more food off her plate.

" You never were my slave, but you already know this. Nonetheless, you played along. You might want to ask yourself why you did it. Despite our differences, you had endless opportunities to end my life and yet you allowed me to live, "She raised her eyes to look at him but didn't say anything and continued eating. Other matters outweighed his little games. There was so much more at stake but since the decision to leave Hessia had been made there, things was no reason to burden him any further. It wasn't his to carry in the first place.

" I don't particularly enjoy hurting animals," She jabbed, and it hit its mark right in the centre. That hurt more than anything else she'd ever said to him. Nodding, Corvin pushed himself off the chair and looked around the room one last time.

" Be well Iris," He said as he dragged the chair back to the table, and began collecting his belongings scattered around the room.

" Likewise, troglodyte," Iris sighed and placed the spoon on the plate, detached. It didn't matter anymore. He'd wasted three moons to pierce through her ceylonite shell, and he hadn't even made a scratch. She was more willful than he'd expected. Blade, clothes, and all the brick a brack he'd brought down with him stuffed in his satchel, along with the circlet he'd bought for her in Oros. Pondering for a moment, he pulled it out of his satchel and placed it on the vanity. She would most likely throw it away or gift it to someone else instead. It wasn't suitable for a queen but he'd spent the last of his coins on it. With a nod, he made his way towards the door under her watchful gaze, and in complete silence.

It wasn't easy to leave her behind, but after all, he'd fallen for her in his dreams. And sadly, that was all it will ever be. A dream.

Eisza and Evin sat on the steps of the castle, chuckling and hitting each other's shoulders as if they'd known each other since they were children.

" We can go now," Iris was awake and alive. It was more than he could ever ask. A burden that he would have to carry for the rest of his life. She might have held his heart but he did not hold hers, and most likely never will.

" How is she doing?" Evin asked as he pushed himself up, and dusted his clothes.

Furrowed brows, as his eyes flitted all over his face, searching for a wordless answer.

" She is as well as one could be after being poisoned, " In his opinion. It was a rather witless question,but he'd lost the will to bicker.

" She has had some food. I trust that she will be well looked after," Not by him, no. She would eventually end up gauging his eyes out if he lingered any longer.

" Caell has left instructions on what I need to do, " Evin sighed and looked down at Eisza who found a cart pulled by a horse rather fascinating since she wouldn't stop fixing it with her gaze.

" Uhmm, I won't keep you any longer," Evin said as he turned to Eiza bowed and entered the castle, shuffling his twiggy legs across the floor, straight for Iris's chamber.

Eisza heaved out a hearty sigh and pushed herself up, " Well, I hope you enjoyed your leisure time," She inwardly chuckled, " Now it's time to head home. I hope you are ready," She patted his shoulder and began descending the steps. Ready to go at a moment's notice. Blade strapped at her hip and her satchel across her chest.

" Ready as I will ever be," One last look over his shoulder before he descended the castle steps. It was a beautiful day, with a clear sky. Clearer than it had been in moons. A new season was approaching. Whitsun celebrations were not far from the beginning.

The sisters had weaved a strange fate for him, truly wicked they were.