Cherry Wine

@ oldbook;

Cornelius had rushed outside along with the others when the wounded began arriving at the palace, doing his best to assist despite knowing next to nothing about healing magic. When the King and Queen arrive he began barking orders, drawing the attention of the best healers who quickly came to their aid while they were being brought inside. While he hated Tobias with a fiery passion, he loved his cousin, and knew that that man meant more to her than anything, and the deviststion from his death would likely kill her. He'd get his chance to fight Tobias, for what he'd done to his cousin and for trying to take Fina away from him, but today wouldn't be that day.

Turning he came face to face with Fina, and although he was still quite angry at her for what she'd done, he was relieved to see her alive and unharmed other than a few burns on her hands. Stepping forward he took her hands in his, working his magic too try to ease her burns, his hand cold as ice against her skin. Without thinking his lips were on hers as well, his free hand tangling in her hair as he drew her closer, just relieved to see her alive.

---

Hollis had woken before Tobias had, her injuries less severe, and though the healers had tried to insist she stay in her bed and rest, she'd gone to Tobias' side, not wanting to leave him when he needed her. She was sure he'd much rather have Fina at his side, but she'd made a vow when they'd married, and she intended to keep it, even if he was willing to break his.

When she heard his voice above the chatter of the healers she pushed herself from her seat with a groan, shoving past them until she was at his side, taking one of his hands in hers as she sat down on the mattress, raising his hand to her lips to press gentle kisses against it. "It's alright, Tobias.. You're alright, you're safe.." she reassured him as she looked down at him with tear filled eyes, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before brushing his hair away from his eyes. She was relieved he alright, even if he was injured at the moment.

"You need to let the healers work, so they can reverse the effects of the spell... I can send for Lady Fina, if you'd like for her to sit with you.." she offered, releasing his hand as she began to stand, ready to get the Duchess for him.

@ katahdin
Fina continued to find herself breathless as Cornelius’ hands were in her hair and his lips were on hers. It felt like fire – hot and out of control. It was a contrast to the soothing touch he used on her burns. Her body wanted to pull closer and sink deeper, but her bones were aching and the energy she spent in battle was catching up to her. She was sure that Cornelius was angry with her and yet, here he was. Guilt settled deep into her stomach as she kissed him back. Maybe she could make her mistakes with Tobias go away if she just kept kissing him or soothe her own pain by getting lost in a moment.

She pulled away from him, her hands dropping onto his chest, and tears springing to her eyes. She was embarrassed. Who cries after a kiss? She couldn’t help it. Her stolen moments with Tobias rushed back to her along with memories of her late husband. All the choices she made to end up with servants and soldiers staring at her came rushing back to her. It was overwhelming. She understood why her husband would cry when he returned home from battle now. She was both grateful and guilty. The two feelings tangled together just as Cornelius’ fingers had in her hair.

“I’m sorry,” she said, heat rushing to her cheeks. “It has been a long morning. I didn’t expect this from you.”

---

Tobias’ vision was still blurred when he heard Hollis’ voice break through the chaos of it all. Panic overcame him because he was not sure if Hollis was working with Dromin all along. Despite the warning she gave him, he was not sure if this was all apart of one plot. He was foolish to assume he could so easily beat Dromin. He could not be foolish again. Who could he trust if he could not trust himself? Yet, Hollis’ hands and lips were warm. If he were a prisoner, would she be treating him so kindly?

Questions, paranoia, doubt and guilt wrapped around him like a blanket. His breathing increased rapidly and he heard others around him begin to panic as he did. The pain in his chest was building. He caught another word from Hollis: Fina. If Fina was here, then he surely wasn’t a prisoner. Fina, he was sure, would die before coming a prisoner. She was stronger than him and, perhaps, Hollis was too. After all, if this wasn’t hell or a prison, how had she survived?

Taking a breath to calm his racing heart, he blinked slowly, and sat up. He ignored the pain in his chest and rushed words of healers. “Silence,” he said to them, his voice more aggressive than he planned. He grabbed onto Hollis’ hand before she could go. The pain in his chest continued building with him sitting up, but he ignored it. He had to be strong too. “What happened?” He asked, hand tightening around Hollis’ fingers.

@ oldbook;

Cornelius frowned as he watched tears slip down her cheeks, his cold hands still on hers, attempting to soothe her. He knew what she had seen in battle must have upset her. He'll, she was covered in blood, of course that would be traumatizing. He slowly moved forward to wrap an arm around her, pulling her into a comforting hug, not carrying if his jacket and shirt were dirtied.

"It's alright, Fina.. You'll be alright." He murmured comfortingly, pressing a small comforting kiss to her forehead. "Let's get you inside and cleaned up, shall we? Away from all this commotion."

He was quiet as he began to lead her inside, thinking back to his impulsive kiss. It'd brought him more joy and pleasure to kiss her once than his very long night with Monika, and he could only hope he hadn't offended her with how forward he'd been. "I apologize for kissing you so suddenly.. I was just relieved to see you were alright."

---

Hollis froze when she felt Tobias' hand on hers, turning back toward him to help him sit up and be as comfortable as she could get him, knowing how much pain he was in. When he asked what had happened various generals and healers in the room all began to speak, but Hollis quickly silenced them with a glare before sending everyone away so that they could talk privately and without distractions. She sat back down next to him, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze as she brushed her fingers over his cheek gently, looking at him with teary eyes.

"I.. I thought I'd lost you.." she whispered sadly, bringing his hand to her lips once more to press a kiss to his skin, closing her eyes a she tried to push away the fear that had begun to creep into her chest. "Dromin used a spell on you that even those who practice Death and Blood magic fear.. It had already taken hold on you by the time I reached you, but I did my best to stop it's affects, although it still must be troubling you." She spoke with a little frown as she looked into his pained and fearful eyes, brushing her fingers lightly against his cheek. "You'll have to let the healers come back in soon to continue their work. If they don't get rid of the spell.." she trailed off, not wanting to think about that possibility.

Clearing her throat she looked down at their joined hands, her thumb brushing soothingly over his knuckles. "I had to use Blood magic to keep Dromin from getting to you.." she admitted softly, sure he would be furious with her for breaking the law. "His army was too strong, so many people were dying.. I just wanted it to stop. I couldn't let them take you from me.." she whispered, her grip on his hand tightening a bit as she raise her eyes to meet his again.

@ katahdin
Fina walked silently beside Cornelius and it conflicted her. He was so quick to forgive her and to kiss her. She wanted to be taken care of, but she learned that she can take care of herself. When he spoke, and apologized, she looked back up at him with her eyes shining. She wanted to forgive him, but she couldn’t. He deserved it and yet, something was holding her back. She felt stuck in her emotions and stuck in her pain. Tobias offered her power like she couldn’t imagine and he believed in her power. She hated being coddled.

"I understand. You are familiar with war. We both are," she said.

She wondered what it would have been like to stand alongside her husband and fought with him. She wondered if Cornelius could ever see him as his equal like that. Just a few hours ago, he practically spat in her face. Now, he held her hand. Perhaps he was conflicted himself. Her energy faded.

She hoped he wouldn’t think she was being moody or distant. She used more magic than she had to use within the last two years in two minutes. It took a toll on her body. She glanced down at her dress and the spatters of blood sent chills down her
spine. It exhausted her in others way. “Is there a place to wash here?” She asked, too tired to even blush.

---

Tobias wanted to comfort Hollis, but there were so many thoughts and fears running through his head. He listened carefully to her as she became tearful and fear coated her words. It surprised him she used Blood Magic in front of everyone and he wondered how the rest of his army felt about this. He himself felt fear settle inside of him. Once again, he wondered if they could trust her. No one else resorted to that kind of brutality.

He nodded, tensely. “I see.”

He could not find the words to express himself. He felt disappointed, scared, and proud of her. Hollis was not as timid as he thought, but worry underpinned it all. If she could use Blood magic once, she could use it again. How long until she grew tired of his antics? How long until she became too jealous or angry? He laid back down, allowing pain to wash over him, and hoping that was a good enough cover for his conflicted emotions.

“Life and light based magic is more powerful than death and darkness. He will not win,” Tobias stated, his words weak. “Will he attack the castle? We should make sure they prepare us for another battle. He could barely keep his eyes open. The pain overwhelmed him again, and it was hard to breathe. He wondered if the Healers and servants felt the same distrust of Hollis that he did.

“Send them back in,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Ready the castle. I would like to speak to Fina when I awake.”

@ oldbook;

Cornelius would never dream of coddling the Duchess. He could feel her power, and knew she was a force to be reckoned with both on and off the battlefield, but that didn't make what she was doing to Hollis' marriage right. He wanted to forgive her fully, to write her actions off as some drunken mistake, but he knew that her actions were true, and if she had it her way, she would dispose of Hollis and take her place next to Tobias. His heart ached at the thought, and though he couldn't simply forgive her and couldn't cast her aside either, he settled on trying to show her that what she was doing was wrong, sacrificing his feelings for her in order to try to save his cousin's marriage.

When he noticed her weakening he nodded a bit, guiding her inside to his chambers, which consisted of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of which held a rather large tub. "Third door on your right. I'll wait here, and call for someone to bring you a change of clothes. I can also send for a carriage so you can be taken home, if you'd like. You need your rest." He said with a little frown as he looked her over.

---

Hollis hung her head in shame, knowing he was disappointed in her. She was disappointed in herself, for not doing something sooner to prevent Tobias from being injured. "I'm sorry.. I just wanted to help.." she admitted soflty, tears prickling the corners of her eyes. "I apologize.. for everything.." she whispered softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead she noticed his pained look. "I wish I could take all your pain away and give it to myself... You're not the one who deserves this.." She murmured softly, keeping her tears at bay as she listened to him, shaking her head a bit when he mentioned her uncle attacking again.

"His army is gone.. or at least the men he brought with him today. It'll take him weeks if not months to regroup, which will give us.. give you plenty of time to prepare. You'll defeat him, I know it." She reassured him, squeezing his hand gently as she leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his knuckles before reluctantly letting go when he asked her to send the healers in, and to ready the castle and send Fina to him, nodding a little as she stood.

"Of course.. I'll send the healers in, and let your Generals know to prepare the castle, and to send for Lady Fina when you wake up. I'll.. I'll see myself to the dungeons." She murmured a she hung her head. The law was clear about Blood Magic- those who practiced it would be imprisoned and executed. Everyone on the battlefield had seen or heard her, so there was no trying to get out of it. As she stood she winced, pressing a hand to her side where she'd been injured by Dromin, realizing that it hadn't been healed properly and was still bleeding when she pulled her hand for a brief moment and saw it covered in blood. She turned a bit so that Tobias wouldn't see, not wanting him to worry, even though she wasn't entirely sure he would be worried about her. "I'll let you rest now.."

@ katahdin
Fina stepped into the bath, hoping it would wash away her pain. She could not relax with all the emotions battling inside of her. She waited until the bathwater ran cold to find peace, but it never came. The danger was ever-present as the war had finally begun.

Her mind focused on the bright flashes of blood, and she could not get rid of the images. Hollis used Blood Magic, and that terrified her. How could Hollis practice such evil magic? Fina’s emotions finally settled onto one: panic. She worried she was an easy target for Hollis’ rage and jealousy. Hollis' deep love for Tobias was dangerous.

She wondered if her life with Cornelius would be safer and easier. He gave her everything, including the elegant silken dress she now wore. The target would come off her back if she invested in Cornelius. She frowned because she was not sure she wanted to be Hollis' ally. Either way, Cornelius was the easier and more acceptable choice. Was it lacking something or was the Tobias’ energy just that overwhelming?

“Thank you for the dress,” she said, breaking the stony silence. Cornelius sat at his desk across the room.

The marble floors were cold as she walked to his desk. She sat on the opposite side of him. She wondered if this was the exact place she needed to be. Memories of working in the study with her late husband crossed her mind as she sat. Before his death, she longed for a simple life. She wanted to envision her life with Cornelius the same way.

“What are you working on?” She asked.

---

Tobias' frustration with Hollis felt like fire. Hollis easily fell into the victim role again as she cried in front of him. Her guilt was so overwhelming that it hurt him. How could he possibly defend her if she was so easy to give herself up? He knew that gruesome choices were made all the time in any war. He was surprised she used Blood magic, but he was not angry. He wished she would not act like a criminal and a victim.

“Don’t be foolish,” he spat at her. He furthered his instructions and said, “Lift your head and go to your quarters. As far as everyone is concerned, there is nothing for them to fear. I will deal with it all.”

Her weakness caused him endless struggles. He was the King, but he never wanted to rule on his own. He wanted to share power. He wanted his people to know their Queen was powerful. Hollis's head hung low with shame did not inspire trust and safety. He couldn't talk anymore. He wanted to feel the peace and warmth from the Healers. He turned away from her and fell asleep.

@ oldbook;

Cornelius had busied himself with writing letters to his commander out on the front, figuring it would be best to let him know that Tobias had ordered his early retirement, and that he'd need his things sent back to his estate. He was still angry about the decision, but there were other ways to beat Tobias in the long run, he'd just have to stick it out.

He looked up when Fina came out of the bath, offering her a small smile. "Did you enjoy your bath, Lady Fina? You were in there for a while." He asked as she sat at his side, looking down at his drafts of paper on his desk with a sigh when she asked what he was up to. "Just getting my affairs in order. Since I'm now retired, I need my things sent back from the front, and I need to let my commanding officer know that he needs to find a replacement, and quickly given the outbreak of war."

He looked at her with a forced smile, giving a little shrug. "It's no matter, I can deal with it later. Do you need anything? I'm sure the guard standing outside the door keeping me in here wouldn't mind getting you something to eat."

---

Hollis flinched when she heard her husband's sharp tone, frowning as she lifted her head to meet his eyes, giving a little nod at his instructions. She wanted to stay, to make sure he was alright, but she didn't want to anger him any further. She waited until he was asleep before going to the door and calling the healers in, although one insisted she remain so she too could be healed. She agreed, taking a seat near Tobias' bed so she could watch the healers tend to her husband, wincing occasionally as the healer helping her worked.

It felt like hours and the healers were making little progress getting the curse Dromin had placed on her husband off, much to their frustration. They were about ready to start trying more dangerous treatments when Hollis spoke up, standing from her chair and moving back to sit at the edge of the bed next to him, holding onto his hand tightly. She'd hoped the spell could be taken care of with normal healing magic, but as Tobias' condition didn't change, she knew she'd have to use Blood Magic again to save him. After convincing one of the healers to hand over a pin she began her work, pricking her finger to draw the tiniest bit of blood before gently wiping it over his lip, mumbling spells to herself as she worked. She pricked one Tobias' fingers, taking a vial she'd been given and holding it to his finger. Soon enough, the spells she had been muttering began to work, and the magic Dromin had used began to seep out of her husband and into the empty vial, looking like black sludge.

Once she was finished she was exhausted, having used more magic today than she had in years, and one of the healers helped her back to the chair she'd been using while the rest tended to the rest of her husband's injuries, those much easier to heal now that Dromin's curse was gone. Hollis ended up falling asleep while they worked, too exhausted and worried about her husband to return to her chambers.

@ katahdin
Tobias felt the hours pass by as people worked endlessly on him. He was awake just enough to hear the murmuring, feel his pain, and wait for it to end. He heard Hollis take over and mutter incantations. He heard the whispers of the Healers and worry overcame him. She must be using Blood Magic again. In the time it took for him to realize what she was doing, he felt instant relief.

He took in a deep inhale, filling his lungs to capacity, and exhaled with a huff. He opened his eyes because he finally felt like himself. He looked around the room at the worried faces and at Hollis sleeping beside him. The anger he felt before she healed him was still boiling inside of him. He moved his legs off the table and looked at the Head Healer, Rosetta.

"Sir," she said, holding up a hand to stop him. "I do not think it's a good idea for you to leave now."

Submissively, she dropped her head. The pain inside of him evaporated with Hollis' spell, and he felt powerful once more. Rosetta and the others cast tentative glances from him to Hollis. Hollis was foolish once more for performing Blood Magic in front of so many witnesses. She could have easily cleared the room once more. He could not clean up after her anymore.

He coughed and blood freckled his hand. He brushed it against his pants and ignored them. "Thank you for your concern, Rosetta. I am as healed as I can be for now. I'll come back if I need to," he said, matter-of-factly.

On his way out the door, he stopped by the guards standing outside the infirmary. +"Please make sure Queen Hollis is escorted to her room once she awakens. Find Duchess Wright," he ordered.

He slowly made his way back to his study. He sat down and began coughing once more. His handkerchief was spotted with blood, but he had to press on. He felt fine. This cough was a minor inconvenience. He needed to call a meeting, but his desire to match wits with an equal overcame him. He hoped Fina could meet this need.

---

Fina's cheeks were brilliantly red because Cornelius mentioned Tobias' name. She was overwhelmed by being caught in the middle of these two men. She was positive her parents would not approve of how she was acting now. She could not help herself. Her lust for Tobias overrode her logic and morals. Her affection for Cornelius was small compared to that. She wanted and needed more of Tobias, and that made her feel deeply ashamed.

This shame intensified when Cornelius mentioned his 'early retirement.' She knew that Tobias was angry and embarrassed when he striped Cornelius of his titles. She knew that anger was not a good excuse for his actions. If Tobias had treated Levi in the same way, Fina would have been infuriated. She grabbed his hands in hers and smiled.

"Perhaps we, or Hollis, can speak to him. What he did to you was not fair. You did not deserve that. You deserve the prestige of your ranking," she said.

With war approaching them to quickly, it would be foolish of Tobias to let anger get in the way. Cornelius, as far as she could tell, was an extremely valuable solider. They would need him at a time like this. Again, she felt ashamed. Her relationship with Tobias may ruin them all.

There was a knock that interrupted them. She stood and said, "I'll get it." She crossed the room quickly and cracked the door open to see who was calling on them.

"Your presence is requested by King Tobias," a guard said.

It was a moment of choice for Fina: give in to her lust or trust her gut. She looked back at Cornelius with hopes that he had not heard the guard. Her body was screaming for her to go to him, but her mind was telling her to stay. Her heart did not give an opinion either way.

"Please tell him I am not available right now. I will come later this evening for tea," she whispered before shutting the door.

She never thought she would say no to the King, but she could not go with Cornelius to close. She turned to face him and rested against the door. She could not outright deny Tobias. She would have to talk to him soon, but it did not have to be right now. She hoped that her shame was not written across her face.

@ oldbook;

It wasn't long after Tobias left the infirmary that Hollis woke, a healer bring her a cup of tea to help her relax and feel better, listening to the healers as they moved about treating the others. At one point or another one of the younger healers came up to her and quietly thanked her for saving the King, as he had doubted that any of the healers could have done it as quickly and efficiently as she had.

The praise shocked her to her core, and made her reflect on everything that had happened over the past few days and years. Maybe Blood Magic wasn't as bad as Tobias thought it was, maybe she could prove that to him and everyone else, and end this stupid war. She was about to reply when the guards entered and told her of Tobias' orders for her to be brought to her room, causing her to frown as she reluctantly stood, setting her cup of tea aside before following them out of the infirmary.

About halfway there she paused, looking between the guards. "I'd like to speak to my husband... Will you ask him to come to my rooms and see me? Oh, before that, please have his favorite meal brought to his study. I know he isn't resting like he should be, but he needs to eat." She asked politely, but when the guards didn't budge she frowned, standing a little taller and squaring her shoulders.

"I'm still the Queen, even if you don't like me. It wasn't a request, it was an order." In truth she was surprised by her own boldness, but if seemed to do the trick, and one of the guards branched off to do what she'd asked, while the other finished escorting her to her rooms. Once in her room she busied herself with pulling old books and manuscripts off the shelves she kept, searching through them until she found what she was looking for: proof that Death and Blood Magic weren't wholly bad.

In her excitement, she grabbed as many of the books as she could carry before leaving her chambers and rushing to Tobias' study, where she knew he'd be, ignoring the guard that followed behind her protesting and attempting to order her back to her room. She also ignored the fact that the wound in her side had opened up again, and that she'd begun to feel lightheaded from blood loss, but that could wait. She needed to speak with Tobias, now. Hurrying into the study she shut the door in the face of the guard who had been following her before hurrying over to Tobias' desk, setting down the pile of books she'd been carrying.

"Blood Magic isn't entirely evil. Neither is Death Magic." She breathed, a bit out of breath from rushing to his study so quickly. "Just like Light and Life Magic aren't entirely good. Every magic has it's good aspects and it's bad aspects, it just depends on whoever is- ... Are you alright?" She frowned when she noticed the bloody handkerchief on his desk, the little speckles of blood on his lips, her brows knitting together in concern. "I'll call for a healer. You ought to be resting, Tobias."

---

Cornelius was a bit surprised by the blush on her cheeks, but he doubted it was because of him. He could only assume she was still thinking of Tobias. After all, how could he compete with a King? If his cousin weren't married to the man, he probably wouldn't be as bothered, but when she clearly knew who the Queen was to him, and so openly flirted with and fraternized with the King, it made him sick to his stomach with rage.

When she took his hand and tried to make him feel better he smiled a bit, giving a little shrug. "That's a good thought. I'm sure you'd be able to convince him." He hadn't meant it, but bitterness dripped from his words, and he focused his attention back to the papers on his desk, knowing he'd just say something worse if he kept looking at her.

He barely looked up when she went to the door, but clearly heard the guards order and her reply. When she closed the door he glanced up at her for a moment, noticing the shamed look on her face before focusing his attention on something else.

"It's unwise do dismiss the King, even if you are only delaying your meeting."