Kayden wove in and out of consciousness over the three days, her body healing increasingly slower, almost as that of a human's. She could hear them talking when she got closer to wakefulness, hear Luna's voice, and Jay's...Xael's mostly as he cared for her. And Ashlin. She could hear her at times and a warmth would fill her right afterwards. Once she had heard Xael ask if the magic was working, and Ash reply that it was helping her, but she couldn't overdo it, or the side-effects could be severe. She also heard them saying how bad her condition was, how broken her body was.
Kayden felt trapped, able to hear them before being dragged back into her memories. She swam in them, new and old, her brain taking those three days to sort itself out. But every time she got close to waking, hopeful she could escape the nightmares amongst the dreams, the darkness dragged her back under, suffocating her.
Finally, on the third day she got a moment of wakefulness, hearing the group chatting about splitting up for the day. Someone mentioned Kayden, that they could find her a room in the inn to relax. Xael offered to watch her as Luna disappeared with Braxton, and Ash and Jay both headed for the bar, wanting a drink and a meal.
Soon enough, she felt the softness of a blanket hugging her, and Xael soft words, moving around the room. She fought her sleepiness, holding on to his voice as Kayden tried to drag herself awake. But it wasn't working. She felt herself slip once more, falling into another dream.
Ash shrugged, seeing as they had already decided without her.
"I guess," she murmured, "Have fun."
Watching them walk away a few steps she turned towards the inn they were in front of. Her stomach rumbled as she stepped in, looking for an empty seat. She saw one with Jay and Reyn, but knowing them, Ashlin didn't want to hear that conversation.
I'd rather not mope in a tavern. Maybe there's something else in this town.
She took a quick wander, but found nothing, so returning to the inn she ordered a room and some food. Holing up alone, she sat on the bed and snacked, playing with her magic. Soon enough a tiny black book sat in her lap, staring up at her.
You had the smarts to use magic to hide it, but now what? You can't use that spell. You can't go through with it. You'd never forgive yourself. Braxton would never forgive you.
You're still mulling over that thing?
Not now.
Opening the book, she quietly leafed through the pages, hidden away and enjoying the silence casted throughout her room.
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