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The sunrise over Waterdeep was a sight to behold. Today, however, Gale could not find any joy in it. Although the first red-orange rays were still fighting against the dark wall of nightsky, they were shining too bright already.
Closing his eyes helped with the sensation. Unfortunately, it only increased the noise: the sea surging against the beach combined with the shrieking of seagulls orbiting his tower. An infernal cacophony torturing him.
Additionally, his wife’s head resting against his chest felt like a boulder. Shame flooded him at the thought. Having Tilia so close was a blessing. A palpable proof of the all-encompassing love they shared. And yet, today he wouldn’t be able to treat her the way she deserved. The pain had not settled in yet, but soon enough, it would spread from where the orb lay dormant near his heart throughout his body, rendering him useless for the day. He should consider himself fortunate that this did not happen more often. But every time it did, a deep sense of misery that wasn't caused by the pain alone filled him.
Tilia’s hair tickled his nose. Usually, it would make him smile. Today, it was just another irritating feeling. Brushing the copper strands away, he saw that his fingers were trembling. He pressed a gentle kiss to Tilia's head and tried to move her. She turned away gracefully, leaving him with the sight of her bare back.
Her breathing did not change. He had not woken her - a small consolation. He tried to roll on his side, hindered by his sleep shirt that was clinging to his skin and the sheets alike. When he finally succeeded, his head started to spin.
Seconds later, the all too familiar sensation of a faint burning in his chest started. If he hurried, he could still go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast. Taking a deep breath, he sat up. The sudden movement made his pain roar. He rubbed his sweaty palms over his chest: it did nothing to ease the pain.
The nausea started the moment he tried to stand, the sheer intensity of it forcing him to sit down again. Lost in his misery, he almost startled when Tilia crawled over to him.
"What's wrong, love?"
Her worried gaze made his heart ache.
"Nothing. Go back to sleep. I will prepare breakfast." Every word cost an amount of strength he could barely muster.
"You will do no such thing."
"But-"
She shook her head. "How many times do we have to play this silly game? I can see that you aren’t feeling well. I am your wife."
Biting his lip, he fixed his gaze on the railing of the balcony. It was hard enough to grasp a thought long enough to make it make sense and now he needed to ponder for a diplomatic answer. It felt like dancing on a tightrope half-drunk.
Eventually, he faced her. "And I am beyond grateful for it. Nevertheless, you worry too much. I am fine.”
"You are a horrible liar. And I am a druid. Your skin is pale and sweaty, your expression is strained, your breathing is shallow. You are in pain."
"I AM NOT!"
He bit down on his lip, but it was too late. He had done the unthinkable, the one fatal crime he had sworn to never ever commit, no matter the circumstances. He had shouted at his wife, the love of his life. Hot shame flooded through him, so intense it even drowned the pain for a short moment.
"Tilly, I - forgive me, please." It came out as a mere whisper, almost getting lost in the sounds of the sea from outside.
"Lie down," she said, her usually cordial voice now cold and reserved.
When she got up, he raised his hand to hold her back, but she was swifter than him even on a good day. He could only watch her get her dressing gown. Cinching the waistband, she looked at him.
"Gale, I am serious. Lie down."
"Tilly, please. Please forgive me. I did not want to lash out. You do deserve better. I - I promise, it won't happen again."
His voice was trembling as fear replaced shame. She did deserve better than a husband who yelled at her - and yet, losing her would destroy him more thoroughly than any pain ever could.
Tilia sighed and came over. "And you deserve better than torturing yourself. Please, let me take care of you."
"I should-"
"Remember our wedding vows? In weal as in woe. Lie down, Gale. Or I'll conjure tendrils to tie you down."
With a weak nod, he obeyed. Tilia drew the curtains in front of the balcony, leaving the door open so he would still get enough fresh air. The gesture made his stomach flutter - she knew him so well.
She left their bedroom. Shortly after, he heard her rummaging in the kitchen. When she came back, she held a steaming cup in her hands.
"Drink that, please. The herbs will help with the pain and nausea."
He frowned. "I haven't told you about being nauseous."
“You don’t need to.”
"Thank you," he sighed when he took the cup.
The first few sips made him want to gag, but finally, he managed to empty the tea.
"I know it tastes awful. It’ll help, though."
"It was tolerable," Gale said slowly. A comfortable warmth was now spreading inside him. "Could you please send word to the Academy that I am indisposed today?"
"Of course."
Before Tilia left again, she placed her hands over his chest and murmured an incantation. A faint green light emerged from her fingers and Gale felt the pain in his body slowly subside. He still did not fully understand the delicacies of druidic magic, but right now, he was simply grateful that whatever his wife did worked.
“Thank you,” he mumbled before his eyes fell shut.
He woke to someone purring. It was Tara, sitting on Tilia's pillow.
"How do you feel, Mr. Dekarios?"
"Better. Thank you for asking."
Tara gently put a paw on his arm. "Let me nestle against you and purr you back to health.”
"That’s very kind, but if you have other plans for the day, you can leave. Tilia’s taking good care of me."
"She does," the tressym admitted, already curling up in Gale's arm, "but you are my companion, too. As I am yours. I have always taken care of you. Your marriage does not change that at all.”
"She doesn't want to exclude you," he said, scratching between Tara’s ears. His fingers didn't tremble so much anymore. "She likes you."
"I do like her well enough, too."
Tara's purring worked better than any sleeping potion and soon enough, Gale dozed off again.
When he woke next, Tara was gone, leaving only a feather and some fur behind. He tried to sit up again. This time, he succeeded. Just then, Tilia entered the room, wearing a flowing green dress, her hair tied up into a messy knot, held together by a strand of ivy. She smiled at him.
"Feeling better?"
He gave a small nod. "How late is it?"
"Late afternoon. Do you want to eat something?"
"Yes, but I need to take a bath first. I am reeking."
"It’s not that bad."
"Compared to a burrow?"
She giggled. "I’ll draw you a bath."
When she came back, she helped him undress. He was incredibly grateful that she didn’t wrinkle her nose at the stench of old sweat clinging to him. Taking his hand, she led him to the bathroom and helped him into the tub. The bathwater smelled faintly of sandalwood and pine - just as he liked it.
"Do you want me to join you?"
A ridiculous question, but her hesitation was more than understandable. "I would like that very much."
Smiling, she stripped and slid into the bathtub, sitting down behind him. Her body felt different against him than it had done this morning - soothing. Comforting. Like home.
"It isn't a burden to take care of you."
He tensed. "Tilly, you don't have to-"
"I know. But I want to. Of course I hate it when you suffer, but I can be there for you at least."
"I am deeply sorry for yelling at you, my love. I hope you can forgive me one day."
"I already have. But please talk to me next time. Trying to keep everything inside isn't healthy, Gale. At some point, you will explode like you did today. Like a volcano."
He couldn't help but laugh, although it sent a new surge of pain through his chest. "Are you comparing me to a volcano?"
"Well, you are a force of nature.” She placed a gentle kiss on his spine. “Will you talk to me, Gale?"
He slowly turned to face her and nodded. "I promise. Thank you for being so long-suffering with me."
She kissed his cheek."I love you, Gale."
"As I love you."