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I self-edit and admit editing isn't my greatest skill. I apologize in advance for anything I missed.
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CHAPTER 19: Beautiful Frailty
Beth took a deep breath, relishing the sensation of air rushing into her lungs. She hadn't breathed in two weeks because there was no air on the Astral Plane. She had never before realized just how wonderful it felt to breathe.
As the air rushed in, she smelled the stench of... Something. She wasn't sure what it was, but it reeked to the high heavens and was glorious. Until this moment, she hadn't realized just how much she missed being able to smell. There was no sense of smell on the Astral Plane. The stench was disgusting... and wonderful.
But best of all, she could feel Ethan.
He was holding onto her tightly as if he never wanted to let her go. She didn't want him to. She hadn't realized it until now, but she'd gone a two full weeks essentially without contact with another living person.
It felt amazing.
Oh Illuminar in heaven, it felt amazing.
She simply couldn't describe how wonderful it was to have his arms around her. She could almost feel herself tearing up as she squeezed him a little tighter.
"Don't let go." She whispered.
"Never." He whispered back. "You're stuck with me from now on."
She sighed and tried to snuggle closer. It was hard, as getting closer would involve some positions that she wasn't willing to be in with other people there. Well, maybe Alana, Taloni, and Rachel, but no one else.
She had just enough time to register the strangeness of including Rachel - who wasn't married to Ethan - on that list before he broke in on her thoughts.
"I missed you."
She sighed again. "I missed you too. So, so much."
"Let me look at you." He said as he released her. He stared into her face with a look that made her heart melt. His eyes were twinkling and the smile on his face was mirrored by the happiness in his eyes. He almost looked like he was glowing.
She couldn't see through is disguise gem anymore, but she knew that it would accurately convey emotion. There was no doubt he was overjoyed to see her. She thought he would be, but the look in his eye put every doubt to rest.
"Hello beautiful." He said softly after gazing at her for several seconds.
"Hello handsome." She felt like her heart would burst if it was any fuller.
He reached up and tenderly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. She sighed and leaned into that hand, scarcely believing this was real. After two weeks, it felt like a lifetime since he had touched her like this.
Ethan looked at his hand, which was now streaked with the blood she'd lost two weeks ago in that alley. It had all unfrozen when the stasis spell was lifted, and she did look a bit of a mess. Her dress was covered in blood, especially the back. Her hair was damp with blood and looked more like it had come from Rachel's head than her own. She knew her face, hands, and body were covered in blood, too but it was okay.
She was alive.
Ethan was here.
She smiled.
"My blushing, bloody bride." He said with a wink as he gave her the once over with a more practical appraisal.
She made a noise somewhere between a groan and a chuckle.
Rachel cleared her throat.
Beth was abruptly reminded that it wasn't just the two of them in this moment of perfect, incandescent happiness. She looked around at the four other people there, and felt a slight twinge of shame as her gaze settled on Alana.
She hadn't exactly been
mean
to her, but she couldn't think about her own behavior without wanting to hide under a rock. Frankly, she was a little surprised that the lovely wood elf even wanted her around. She wanted to make it up to her somehow, but didn't know how. Gabriella's suggestions to 'use her words and then her lips and tongue' didn't make much sense at the moment.
"Welcome back Beth." Alana said with a wide, genuine smile.
"Thank you." Beth said, biting her lip.
"It's good to see you Beth." Rachel said. She still looked tired from breaking the enchantment, but her face was all smiles.
Beth smiled at the redhead. "Thank you so much for everything you've done." She looked at both women. "Thank you
both
so much. I wouldn't be here without you."
Beth turned to Ted and Sophia who were both sitting there with their mouths agape. "Thank you both. I'd give you a hug, but..." She looked down at her bloody dress.
"We were happy to help." Ted said after a moment. He looked like he couldn't believe what was before his eyes. The blonde teen could empathize, having seen all the wonders in Ethan's world that seemed to defy all reason and explanation.
Sophia smiled. "I'm so glad we helped."
"Now, we need to get you out of those bloody clothes." Ethan said completely deadpan without a hint of flirtatiousness... until she noticed the twinkle in his eyes. He stood and offered her his hand.
She took it and also stood, then looked down at herself and wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, I really am a mess."
"You'll want to get that blood out of your hair before it dries, especially because you're a blond; trust me." Sophia said.
"Is there a bathhouse nearby?" Beth asked. "I didn't see one at the apartment."
Ethan chuckled. "The apartment has a shower, which is better."
"Better than a hot bath?" Beth raised her eyebrow.
He nodded.
"You can't walk down the street like that though." He pointed out.
That seemed to shake Ted out of his astonishment. "You shouldn't be walking at all. You were dead a few minutes ago. You need a complete check-up."
"She's fine." Rachel said. "I checked when I healed her broken ribs."
"Checked with what?" Ted asked. "You don't look like you have any scanners or... wait, did you say 'healed her broken ribs'?"
"I used magic." The redhead shrugged.
