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"Slowly," he said in a low voice, but he didn't need to warn me I was barely able to take one drink before the violent nausea washed over me

"I'm alive?" I whispered, in a barely audible voice

"Yes,very randfather "I don't think it's wise to use youra turn around"

"Avalon too?" I knew the answer, but I needed to hear it froain for another drink

"How long?" was all I could ask with my dry and scratchy voice

"Teeks, Love," Kiran offered from the back of the room and I realized for the first time that this was not my bedroo to ain

"At thehow ht and the first feeling of stabbing pain He continued, "When you and Avalon took their 's Curse The whole event was set up for you to take their ic From what Jericho says, I understand that you took two and Avalon took two and, Kiran?" He turned around before continuing, "I' down the hall and finding some cool cloths for Eden," Kiran nodded and turned to walk out the door, "Oh and also Would youLilly and Sylvia? I'm sure they would be happy to know Eden is awake" When Kiran left the room, Amory continued, "The two of you had a co's Curse inside of you I thought," Aain coic was infected with the awful disease and so when your bodies would try to heal theic is still recovering Avalon woke up yesterday, and is doing better today, but you both need to be careful I don't knohat saved you or how you were able to both co his head without looking atsleep

"He said the same about you," Amory replied, the pride clear in his tone

"Where a I wasn't in ive you better care here, but nothing we did seemed to make any difference

"What about Kiran?" I asked, droppinghe could help you In the end, I'lad to be here The boy cannot lose you, Eden, I am afraid of ill happen to hi h the doorway seconds later, hovering around entlest of ways I smiled at them both, the best I could; and accepted their offer to help me with drinks of water

I was exhausted and still miserable fro less than the King's Curse agony again That was real pain That had been true misery

Kiran stood in the back of the roos that I found interesting He just stared at me, an unreadable expression on his face, while Aunt Syl told me how they celebrated Christmas and Lilly talked about the Christo with hi she was back here

Eventually, when I couldn't keep h their sweet chatter, they got up to leave They said goodbye to Kiran at the door and he took the chair next toit to his lips and kissing me sweetly

"I cannot lose you," he whispered hoarsely into the quiet room My eyes were closed but his lovely words felt likethe sweet surrender of sleep again

"I just want to see that she's all right," an angry voice woke me later Sleep was still heavy on my eyes and I could barely move The pain had lessened even ht

"There she is She is all right If you really cared about her, you never would have let her out of your sight to begin with Now please, leave," a second voice tried to stay calm, while clearly upset with the first voice

"I want to see her," the first voice growled

"Not while I'erous than the first and I heard the door close forcefully and then nothing else

"Who was that?" I asked, my eyes still closed

"No one, Love," Kiran sat back down next to htly

"Don't you need to go ho to open my eyes The candle had been blown out and the room was completely dark

I couldn't tell if it was the same day or a different one from the first time I had awoken, but Kiran was still in the sa worse than ever

"No," he said simply but kindly

"Kiran, I'm better now," I had more of a voice this time, but my throat still burned and my eyelids were still heavy