The Last Healer

Chapter 15: Ariella

Chapter 15 Ariella

The pain was back. It was nowhere near as bad as it was last night, but it still caused enough pain to make me whimper. I really hated being in pain. The everyday, mundane pain that I had to live with was more than enough for me to deal with, but then this has to be there too.

Mother had mentioned how every woman that I have met has gone through this and I couldn't help but wonder if they were ever in pain too. Maybe I could ask one of them later.

The pain lessened after a few moments and I climbed out of bed. I couldn't let the pain stop me from doing what I had to do. I know that Thomas and I were supposed to spend time together and I couldn't help but wonder if he'd still want to. I quickly got myself dressed in the blue dress that Madam Thread had made for me.

The fabric slid down my body and my cheeks flushed as I realized how tight the fabric was around my chest. It didn't hurt and I could breathe with ease, but the dress made them look bigger than they actually were. My hand grasped the handle of my brush and I rushed to the bathroom to finish getting ready.

By the time I was finished, my hair was freshly brushed, the ribbon that Thomas gave me was tied in a bow, and the dress was wrinkle free.

"Morning, Ariella." A soft voice called as I walked into the living room. Dimitri was sitting at the table, a knife in his hands and pieces of wood in front of him. He gave me a small smile before turning back to what he was doing.

"Morning." I slowly made my way towards him and sat across from him. He was smiling softly as he carefully chopped pieces off of the wood.

"So, Thomas actually had to go to work today. With the last battle, he was needed for some of the meetings today." Dimitri explained as he started to separate the wood into two piles. "He asked me to tell you he's sorry and that he'll make it up to you when he can."

"It's fine." I told him. "What are you doing? If I may ask?"

"Making a tea." He chuckled. "Mother told me how she made you something to help with pain last night. I figured I could make enough of what I take for both of us."

"Thank you."

He winked at me and stood up. "I'll be right back, shouldn't take to long for me to make it."

"Can I help?" I asked as I stood up too.

"Well, you can breakfast while I make the tea, if you'd like." He shrugged. "Maybe I can teach you how to make your own medicine for when you need it."

"I'd like that." I told him and he nodded. We made our way into the kitchen and I walked to the cooler and grabbed some eggs and a few pieces of meat. We worked side by side, him boiling water and the tree bark and my cooking eggs and the meat.

"Where did you learn to make the tea?" My cheeks flushed with color as he chuckled.

"My father learned from my mother and he taught me." He walked over to the cupboards and pulled out a couple of mugs.

"D-did they die in a battle?" I swallowed nervously. I couldn't help but be curious, I knew about Thomas, Brittney, and Natalie. But not so much Dimitri and Robert.

"My father did. My mother ran out on us when I was ten." He placed the mugs on the counter and walked back to what he was making.

"That's horrible."

"Aye. But, she said she never wanted marriage or a kid and she left." Dimitri gave me a small smile. "I don't think that's the truth. But I'll never know for sure."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I don't mind. You might as well get to know about us, eh?" The smile on his face never reached his eyes.