Uriel’s POV

My surroundings are unfamiliar when I open my eyes. My fingers feel the edges of my veil on my face, and I am relieved even though I know it cannot be removed by anyone but me. Garrison is nowhere to be found and I am uneasy. The last thing I remember was holding Garrison’s hand and stepping through my portal. And then nothing. 

There was another person in the room with me. Upon seeing that I was awake now, he introduced himself as the village healer, Harold. Harold performed a quick check and pronounced me healthy. Healthy for a human. He did not know that I wasn’t, and I had no intention of sharing that information. But I did feel unusually well-rested.

“Try not to exhaust yourself so badly next time,” Harold instructed. To which I nodded. There was no guarantee that I could manage that in the present situation, so it didn’t matter what I said. 

“Where is Garrison?” I asked.

“In the Village Head’s house. I’ll take you there.”

I nodded my thanks and followed him. We were greeted by a frantic Village Head. “Oh, thank the Gods you’ve come. I don’t know what’s wrong with him!”

Garrison? “Where is he?” I demanded.

“This way,” she said and led us up the stairs. 

Garrison was lying in a crumpled heap on the floorboards. Despite the heat radiating from the brazier, he was shivering. I pushed past her to kneel at his side. His hands were cold and mine were not. I picked him up and tucked him back in bed. The healer checked him over.

“I’m not sure what’s wrong with him,” Harold admitted in puzzlement. “The cold must have come back into his lungs. It’s best to keep him warm and dry with plenty of rest for now.”

I nodded. “Can I stay here?” I asked the Village Head.

She nodded. “I’ll bring you some bedding, but you’ll have to take the floor.”

“Thank you.” 

Two deliveries were made to that small room. The Village Head brought the bedding and then came back with a basin of water and a cloth. “It’s for you to clean him up,” she told me. “You can warm it on the brazier.”

I thanked her again and she left us alone. Garrison breathed shallowly in bed while I heated the water. It was doubtful that the Village Head knew, but I was glad she brought the water. He probably did need a wash…especially, well, the area between the legs. The uncomfortable lump of guilt was heavy in my throat. 

This had gone too far.

~

We were delayed at the village when Garrison developed a terrible chest cough. Fever chills shook him, and I knew that was my fault. In my need for strength, I’d taken too much. I dabbed away the cold sweat at his temples. 

According to Harold, there was nothing we could do but let him fight off the infection. My only consolation was that this wasn’t the disease we were investigating. In those few days, Garrison woke twice to choke down whatever soft foods he could to keep up his strength. But in his feverish haze, he wasn’t truly awake except for the brief moment of lucidity when he recognised me and said, “you’re alright” and succumbed to unconsciousness again.

There was a lingering cough when he had healed enough to have normal waking hours. 

“How are you feeling?” I asked softly.

Garrison coughed lightly. “Could be better,” he answered. 

I looked away. The embers glowed hot and bright. “You should rest some more.”

“Don’t,” said Garrison.

I kept my eyes on the brazier. “Don’t what.”

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it.”

“You would not be here if you knew what I was thinking.”

“That’s my decision to make.”

I stood up. “Get some rest.”

If I really wanted to, I could leave. Garrison wasn’t well enough to follow me. I could go where I needed to without worrying that he would suffer because of me. If I got far away enough, he’d be safe from me. I stood with my back to the closed door, breathing through the sting of guilt or tears. Or both.

Garrison would be fine. I’d come back for him.

~

I chose not to leave right away, wanting to see him one last time before I made my way to the Puckwudgie village where we should have been if I hadn’t overestimated myself. Garrison looked relieved for a short second when I brought dinner. During the time we spent together, I pretended everything was fine. 

When he finally slept, I slipped from the house. The gloves I’d given him were back in my hands where I’d stolen them from his pack. I pulled them on as I got closer to the edges of the village. 

“You were truly going to leave me behind.”

I froze. Garrison stood at the gate, blocking me from leaving. His arms were crossed over his chest, face blank and shadowed in the darkness. 

“As soon as we are far apart enough, the headaches come back. Did you know?” He spoke flatly in the moonlight. “You went far enough for me to wake up from a near migraine and a vision of you alone.”

There was too much to think about and I’d forgotten. 

“If you really have to go now, then let me go with you.” Garrison stepped forward until I could smell the soap he’d used to wash. He took my gloved hands, gaze unreadable as he stroked the lace. 

We went back to the cottage. Garrison frowned when he remembered there was only one bed. “I won’t leave without you,” I sighed. “Go to bed.” 

He looked uncertain but still lay down on his side facing me as I meditated on the floor. Every so often, he’d peek at me. I sighed once more and got up. Garrison shifted half upright in alarm. 

I pushed him back down gently and climbed in behind him. “Sleep now.” Garrison’s back was pressed warmly against my chest. I let my arm circle his belly. 

It was hardly comfortable at first. Garrison was too tense. But the longer we stayed that way, the looser he got. Eventually, his mind quieted and I slipped back into my meditation.