Alvina and Quinn have never been further apart, but their connection to the spirits might be what reconnects them again.
***
Quinn av Stál is slowly losing his mind. He's sure of that, and the only thing keeping him together is his fiancé Islo Charr...
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Islo winced as he pulled himself up a little. His leg was swollen and purple still. It had been a couple of weeks and I was getting worried. Shouldn't something like this look better and not just... Turn darker and worse?
"I think I will have to drain it," the doctor said and frowned. "You have internal bleeding and if it has nowhere to go, it will eventually just build up. I'm also suspecting an infection."
"Just do whatever you can," I said, giving Islo's hand a squeeze.
"How are your hands, Your Highness?" the doctor asked and held his out. I showed them to him. I had stitches that needed to get out. But my hands were fine. I'd manage.
"This looks good. I'll remove the stitches when I'm done with the lord's leg." He smiled and nodded at Islo. "Now, I'll have to make an incision. It shouldn't be too painful. It should relieve some of the pressure, you're feeling."
"I trust you, doc," Islo muttered and took my hand in his.
"Just squeeze it if it hurts," I murmured and kissed his forehead.
"Now, lay still." The doctor brought a scalpel close to Islo's skin and then cut into it, blood poured out and into a bowl the doctor had placed under Islo's leg. Blood and then something else. Something thick and smelly.
Islo clenched his jaw and looked up at me. "You don't have to stay for this, Sweetness."
"Don't be stupid," I snapped back and kissed his forehead again. "I'm staying right here with you."
"Does it feel any better?" the doctor asked and looked up.
"Much," Islo said and nodded a bit. "It doesn't feel as tight anymore."
"Perfect. Draining it from both blood and pus should also make the healing process go faster. Now, you know you won't be running again. I think you should start looking for a cane."
Islo nodded. "Thanks doc."
The doctor rewrapped Islo's leg and then he left with the bowl and all the bloodied napkins. Islo looked up at me, tears in his eyes.
"I'll never be able to play with Isla again. Not like we used to."
"Oh Islo," I breathed and hugged him, kissing his cheeks and his forehead before I moved on this his mouth. "We'll figure something out."
"I'm a cripple now, Quinn." His voice broke and he pressed his face against my shoulder. I ran my hand over his hair, just letting him let loose. It seemed like be needed to just let go. He was always so calm and collected. So strong. Now he was just so sad, and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't know how to comfort him.
"I still love you. I always will," I whispered.
He laughed a little and pulled back, looking up at me. "Really?"
