Chapter 699: The Truth
"Xiviyah, surely you’re hungry by now. You have to eat something."
R’lissea’s exasperated voice stung my ears, but I curled up, hugging Fable tighter. I had no memory of leaving the manor after the banquet, or anything, really. Every time I closed my eyes, I was alone with the darkness. But opening them was worse. The sunlight, crystal lights, and even the stars felt mocking, a reminder that the things I had experienced were only an illusion. There was no warmth and light to find.
R’lissea shook my shoulder gently. "It’s been a week. Can’t you at least tell me what happened? Fyren said you were all alone and the shard was empty. You didn’t try to absorb it, did you?"
"Elaine already said Luke was scheduled to take it during the banquet," Elise said. "Besides, you remember how quickly Fyren left the banquet? I was afraid he would tear right through the walls to get to her. He felt something through the mark."
I flinched. I hadn’t realized she was here. Wherever here even was. All I knew for sure was that it wasn’t Haven, which was good because I didn’t know how I would face Fate now.
"I know you are recovering, but eating is part of that," R’lissea said. "Your body won’t feel any better unless you put something in it. And if your body is weak, you won’t be able to use your soul, either. No more practicing magic. You don’t want that, right?"
She rocked me back, using her superior strength to pull me away from Fable. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to gag as she fed me a spoonful of broth. It matched the taste of stew in my memories, probably something I would have enjoyed, but it was like ash in my mouth. Everything was, from the bread of a few days ago to the pastry she’d tried to get me to eat yesterday.
After a few spoonfulls, I turned my head. Even if I had an appetite, I didn’t feel like eating. R’lissea tried again before letting out a resigned sigh and leaving my side. Her and Elise’s presence retreated, and I heard the creak of a door.
"Are you sure she didn’t just push herself too hard? It might be backlash from the battle," Elise whispered at the edge of my hearing.
R’lissea replied just as quietly. "I’m not saying it’s not a factor, but Xiviyah has a history of falling unconscious when her soul’s too stressed. If I were looking at it objectively, I’d say her soul is in worse condition than after I first healed her from the sunpurge, but there’s something more. She’s always brightened any time we’ve entered the room before. Now, she flinches. Has she even looked at you once?"
Their voices retreated down the hallway. Guilt gnawed at my stomach, but I squeezed my eyes shut. Fable shifted, giving a disapproving frown.