Part of another AU with Marsh (@abstractwhump) We called it saddest au since we already have sad au… But I will one day have actual names for the au’s as I continue writing them
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“Mom?”
The voice is so quiet, so weak, that Sajia almost believes she’s imagining it at first. But then she stirs in her bed, and Sajia is immediately alert.
Black eyes are blinking open for the first time in days, confused and pain-filled. She shifts and lets out a little whimper that tugs at her heart.
“Easy.” Sajia murmurs gently, moving to hold her hand softly in her own. Her thumb brushes along the back of Johara’s hand, a comforting gesture. Her skin is dry and hot to the touch- the fever, the infection, the wounds from the accident… She feels like she is made of fire.
What a mockery of her daughter’s magical talents.
“What…” She swallows and Sajia notes the effort required for such a simple motion. She makes eye contact with a servant, who nods immediately in understanding. “What happened?” Johara manages to get out. Her voice is dry, raspy, filled with pain. A far cry from the normal clear and proud tone that is so typical of her daughter.
Sajia isn’t sure what to tell her daughter. There are many things she could say, but she’s never sure who is listening and who is reporting back to the emperor. “There was… an accident.” She settles on, still stroking her thumb gently over skin that almost burns. This was no accident. “One of the spells went awry during the training session and you were hit. You have some burns and lacerations, but everything will heal.” Sajia forces a smile. “I promise.”
“Do you have water?” She croaks out.
Right on time, one of the servants returns with a pitcher for her. Under her instruction, a tea is made for Johara’s fever. When it’s ready, Sajia gently helps her daughter sit up enough to drink, holding the cup to her lips. She takes slow and steady sips, pausing every so often, but it’s at least a small relief to know that she will be getting some medicine finally that should break the dreadful fever. The heat radiating off of her is concerning to say the least, and it’s becoming a struggle not to react visibly. Her heart feels like it’s being shattered seeing her precious child in such a state.
She has sacrificed so much, fought so hard, and they’re still at the mercy of someone who enjoys their suffering.
Sajia helps her back to the pillows when she’s had enough to drink, grabbing another damp cloth to lay on her forehead. She doesn’t like the way her breath rattles in her chest, the way her eyes flutter like she can hardly stay conscious. Sajia goes back to softly holding her hand, starting to hum a simple lullaby with the hopes that she’ll get some more rest. There’s not much more she can do now that she’s gotten medicine and all of her injuries have been taken care of.
When Johara drifts off to sleep, his presence is announced.
Here to act the part of the loving father and husband, of course.
But when their eyes meet, when he comes to sit next to her, an arm around her in a possessive manner, he confirms what she already knew to be true.
