He closed his eyes, as if uttering a silent prayer of thanks.
Then he opened them again. “We sent Jon Tayt after you,” Collier said, rubbing his thumb across the top of her hand. “He found you?”
She tried to pull herself into a sitting position and winced with sudden pain. “He did, and I left him gravely wounded. Can you send someone? Can you send someone to save him?”
“Of course. Let me help you up,” he offered. He arranged some pillows against the wooden headboard and helped her sit up, his strong arms shifting her easily.
“She is awake?” Suzenne said from across the room. She walked into Maia’s line of vision, looking tired and worn, but relieved. “I have been holding back the flood of people who want to see you,” she said with a warm smile. “I only let this one in after much persuasion.” She nodded and gave Collier a genuine smile.
Because there were no windows, she did not know what time of day it was. “How long have I been sleeping?” Maia asked, wrinkling her nose.
Collier smirked and glanced at Suzenne. “It should be about midnight, by our best estimation.” He looked at Maia with a wry smile. “It is a little difficult to tell, since the sun is directly overhead right now. Everyone is walking the grounds, gazing at the sky in wonderment.” He gave her a pointed look. “The Aldermastons are all wondering when you intend to release the Leerings you invoked so that things can return to their normal state.” He smiled and caressed her cheek.
Maia could hardly believe it. “I thought it would end the moment I collapsed—”
He shook his head. “Oh no, my love. You caught the sun in a net and captured it. People want to know what you intend to do with it next. The Naestors, as you can imagine, are terrified out of their wits. They have sued for peace and are imploring all the Aldermastons—there are several here right now, I should mention—to entreat you to release the sun before it scorches the earth. Richard Syon asked to be informed the moment you awakened.” He tucked strands of her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her skin a moment, making her shiver with pleasure.
“I suppose it would not be proper to greet anyone in my nightclothes,” Maia said. She was aching and sore, but she felt rested and peaceful. She was afraid the tranquility was like a soap bubble and would burst in an instant, but she reveled in it nonetheless.
“Suzenne has a gown chosen for you,” Collier said. “And it meets with my approval. I will go while you change.” He started to rise from the bed, but she caught his hand and shook her head.
“No,” she said. “There is a changing screen over there, and Suzenne is here to chaperone us.” She gave him a longing look. “I cannot bear to be parted from you. Ever again.” She squeezed his arm tightly, begging him to stay with her eyes.
Perhaps they were the words he most needed to hear. He looked humbled and a bit shaken, but he did not attempt to leave. He helped her rise gingerly from the bed, and as she walked slowly over to the changing screen, Suzenne holding her arm, she saw him wander to the dressing table and take up a comb. He turned and winked at her knowingly.
Maia would have savored soaking in a tub, but there was not time for that—nor would it have been appropriate, considering the company. She asked Collier dozens of questions about what had happened to him and how he had managed to take the maston test in secret, but he would only promise to tell her all later, when they were alone in the garden.
Once Maia was dressed and Collier was busy combing the tangles out of her hair, Suzenne left to find Aldermaston Syon and his wife, Joanna. As soon as he entered, Maia painfully pulled herself to standing and went to him, hugging him hard, despite the way it made her injuries throb. She was too grateful to see him hale and uninjured after his brush with death. How horrible it would have been had she arrived too late to save him.
“Welcome home,” Richard said soothingly, patting her arm and stepping back. “You could not have arrived through the Apse Veil at a more urgent moment.”
“Indeed, a most desperate moment,” Joanna agreed. She clutched Richard’s hand as if she would never let it go. The look of relief on her face was palpable.