Chapter 21: Despite Everything

The walls of a healer’s ward were witness to vows that held more truth than wedding vows. The walls of the witch’s ward were no different as Marion stood vigil at Eris’ bedside. Hours melted away with the silver scales and time came to have no meaning. Each moment passed in seconds and minutes that went uncounted. The only tell of time was the rise and fall of the prince’s chest. What had been only a day felt like a lifetime to Marion.

Even Ulysses had come to relax, no longer curled in upon himself as if he was writhing in pain. The elf had taken the time to lay him on Eris’ pillow, so that the familiar and mage were not far apart. Jacket had come to return to the shape of a dog, curling up on Marion’s lap as they waited. All they could do was wait, though the elf was never the most patient person.