"You were dying. You lost so much blood, and you were barely breathing when I got to you. I had to use magic to keep you alive" Aria said, bringing her hands down from my head to my hand. Gripping it gently, she continued.
"I needed to keep you alive long enough to get you my healing potions. I used one to reattach your arm and heal your face, and the other to close up your chest. There wasn’t enough for your legs, so you won’t be able to walk for a while. The healing paste will take a bit to heal burns that severe, but it will heal the rest of your wounds by tonight. Your healed skin will be sensitive for a while too, so just rest now."
"H-healing potions? Wh— huh?!"
Healing potions were expensive. The cheapest ones must cost at least five gold coins, and the better ones were probably more than ten times that; I knew that my mom could make healing potions, but to have two on hand?
I immediately felt guilty for my reckless abandon. I should’ve run away, got help from the village, instead of trying to save Adrian by myself. But instead, I nearly got myself killed, and wasted two whole healing potions. My mom however, did not share my concern, and began reassuring me instead.
"Do not worry, my dear. You are alive, and that is all that matters. Items like healing potions are meant to be used, that is where their value comes from. They would have no worth if they are simply kept and stored. And even if they did, they mean nothing to me compared to your safety and happiness."
Parting my bangs with one hand, she stood up and leaned over to my face. My mom lightly pressed her lips on my forehead for a kiss, gently holding it there for a moment. Then she slowly pulled back, and meeting my eyes, she smiled.
"I am so glad. I was so worried."
It was a simple statement; words that meant one thing and only thing only. And yet, when I heard that, I felt my chest grow warm. My lips naturally curled into a smile, and I simply stared back at her.
"How long have I been asleep?" I asked, not looking away from my mother.
"A day," she replied.
"I see. And Adrian?"
"He is fine. His injuries are much less severe than yours. It would not have been fatal as long as we covered the wound. And with the healing paste, he should recover in a few days. But I did promise his parents that I would check up on him after you woke up."
"And you’re not in trouble, right?"
"In trouble?"
"For using magic."
"Ah,"— Aria slowly lowered herself to sit back down— "no, I am not."
I attempted to tilt my head questioningly, though with how stiff and numb my entire body was, I was not sure if my message was even conveyed. In the end, I went with the tried and true method of— wait for it— speaking. And somehow, this mysterious technique of verbal communication somehow worked!
"Why not?"
"Because no one saw me. I sent everyone away once I reached you, and carried you back by myself. It is fine, Melas. We are safe."
"But what about—"
My mom must have guessed what I was going to ask, as she quickly interrupted me. "We can wait a few days, dear. You are in no condition to be traveling, and I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Something to discuss with me? Is it that important?"
"Yes. But we will talk about it once you recover. For now, just rest ok?"
Something important to talk to me about? I did not know what could be important enough to be an issue with leaving the village. But my mom must have been tired from worrying about me since yesterday, so I chose not to pursue the matter.
"Ok," I said, acquiescing.
"Thank you," said my mom.
She seemed pleased to hear me relent; she quickly looked over her shoulder out the window, before turning back to me. She hesitated for a second before opening her mouth to speak.
"Melas, dear. Would you be fine if I left you alone for a bit? Just to check on Adrian. I promise that no matter what happens, I will be back before you know it."
"Of course," I answered cheerfully, trying not to be a bother to her.
"You sure?" asked my mom, with a look of genuine worry written on her face. "If you feel scared or lonely, just let me know. I know you used to get nightmares—"
"I’m sure, mom. It’s no problem at all." I said, trying to smile as wide as I could to reassure her. "And that was when I was still little, I’m grown up now."
I puffed my cheeks up and lifted my head, feigning a pout. As I had hoped, that seemed to have put my mom at ease, causing her to visibly relax. She started heading out of my room, only stopping at the doorway to give me one last goodbye.
"I love you, Melas."
"I love you too mommy."
And then I only watched my mom’s back as she left me.
***
Aria did not want to leave her daughter alone. After what happened, Aria wanted to stay by her daughter’s side, hug her tightly, and never let her go. But Aria knew that one day, she would have to let go of her daughter.
She always knew that her daughter would eventually grow up, find a man that she loved, and move away. Intuitively, every mother knew that. And yet, now, Aria is starting to think that that day might come sooner rather than later.
It was Walden who made her realize that
