Once there was Darkness

Chapter 23

Kol was just standing in the middle of his chamber. “My king?”

He wanted to say a million different things. But nothing came out. Each thought was fighting for supreme rule.

He slowly moved his head toward her. His movements were of someone in great pain. She smiled, taking his hand. He would follow her no matter where she led him. Which just happened to be to the kitchen. No one was around. He sat at a long table were food was prepared for the stoves behind them. Kessa knew her way around like she had done this a thousand times.

“What are you doing?” He finally asked.

“Eggs should be easy on your stomach. I don’t think you’ve eaten in a couple days.”

“I should be cooking for you.”

“You can cook?” She asked playfully.

He just blushed.

She searched around and found a white block. “Cheese.” She put out two plates, two forks, and two glasses of water. After plating the eggs, she shredded cheese on top of her plate, put the cheese back where she found it before sitting down beside him. He went to get a bite of her eggs with the cheese but his hands started shaking. She softly touched his hand taking the fork from him. He laid his hand on her knee. She put a small bite of the egg and cheese on the fork and fed him.

“Thank you.” With closed eyes, he shook his head. Kessa had to call for Max in order to get Kol back to his chamber and to bed. “Thank you Max,” she whispered.

“I will be close if you need me.” He left.

“Kes,” Kol’s voice was but a whisper.

“I’m here, my king.”

“My head hurts. My eyes.”

“Lay as still as you can.” She asked for a bowl of water and a cloth. For the rest of the day, she kept a cool wet cloth on his forehead. “Forgive me my king.”

“What for?” He moaned.

“I shouldn’t have taken you down to the kitchen. I thought maybe a change of scenery would help.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Thank you for trying.” He draped his arm over her leg resting his hand on her waist. “Don’t leave me.” He moaned. “How are you feeling?”

She blushed, “doing better every day, my king. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Marry me.” He whimpered.

Praise the Lord, there was a gentle knock on the door. It was Rajaf and Frego.

Rajaf asked in a low voice, “what’s wrong?”

“His head and eyes hurt.”

“Young prince, will you accompany me to get medicine. You can bring it back much faster than I.”

“Of course.” They quickly but quietly left.

Frego returned with the medicine. “Rajaf says to place this on dad’s tongue. It will dissolve.”

“Thank you, young prince.”

“What else can I do?” Frego asked.

“Would you care to see if To will fix some broth. Maybe some bread and cheese. I’m praying when he wakes, he will be hungry.”

“Of course.” He left.

Kol had been breathing with his mouth open, so getting the powder on his tongue wasn’t a problem.

When Kol woke, he found Kessa laying on his shoulder. He snuggled his nose into her hair and took a deep breath before kissing her head. She rose up, caressing his face. “How do you feel?”

“Somewhat better.”

“Frego got broth and bread if you are hungry.”

“I think I’ve figured out where the trinket came from.”

“Feel like sharing, my king.”

“When we fought the Zeede, I took the coverings off of one of the Zeede to cover you with. It must have been on him.”

“If you really want to know, I’m sure I can take it to the market and someone will know what it is?”

“I like my idea,” He gave her a weak playful smile as he took her hands in his, “thank you for taking such good care of me.”

She smiled a big smile, “it was a team effort.”