Chapter 282: Moment of Truth
{Music Recommendation: Little Ben by Nick Phoenix}
Osian showed Evanna and Arawn the way towards her mother’s quarters. It was the same path she’d known her entire life. Now, with every step, Evanna could feel her legs weighing heavily as though lead started to fill them up. What if this didn’t work?
Evanna could feel the weight of the gemstone in her cloak. Her hand wrapped around it, feeling its warmth and the throbbing sensation of light and health pulsating against her skin. As though he could sense where her thoughts had gone, Arawn placed his hand against her lower back.
Evanna glanced up at the prince, but Arawn remained stoic, walking beside her, eyes casually glancing at differing objects, people or walls as they walked through the hallways after her father. The warmth of his hand seeped through her clothes and comforted her. Such a small act, the smallest of touches and Evanna stood taller once more.
"Loraven’s health has not been stable. Some days I am told she will walk without her chair, the colour returned to her cheeks," Osian says as he stops before Loraven’s doors. "Then there are days when she does not leave her bed."
It had certainly got worse. Whatever illness had gripped her like so. Evanna felt the slightest ounce of relief that they returned when they did. If the return trip had taken longer, if Ger hadn’t flown them back in such a short time, how long would her mother truly have left?
The physicians who had seen her mother estimated six months. It was undoubtedly much less than they stated.
Evanna nodded and braced herself as her father was quietly telling her to. Osian opened the doors and gestured for Evanna and Arawn to go first, though he gave Arawn a narrowed gaze. That was something to worry about later, though.
Stepping through the doors, Evanna instantly saw her mother in bed. Her features were paler than usual. Her cheeks were slightly hollow, and it looked like she hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days. It was clear Loraven ensured she looked healthy in front of Evanna when she dreamwalked to her. It was also abundantly clear why Evanna had not heard from her since.