Chapter 66: Recovery
Finishing the broth, I let it simmer before returning upstairs, making each of my girls drink another cup of tea.
Each one seemed reluctant to do so, making me force it down their throats, but afterwards...
Well, Camara and Aethisia were no longer panting as they slept, and Rhefia seemed more sentient, her eyes alight with more than just pain now.
So, I was sitting beside my wife, holding her hand as she leaned against the headboard, her breathing deep and even.
Stroking the back of her palm, I frowned slightly as I stared at our hands, making her confused.
"Astra..?"
Looking over at her, I gave her a warm smile and gently kissed her cheek, whispering "Nothing, love... Just worried, that's all..."
I didn't want to tell her yet; not when she was still recovering.
The possibility that the news would send her into a worse state scared me, so I remained silent.
I wanted to tell her, to have her comfort me, tell me that I was okay, that I had done what I had to do, but...
For now, I needed to be the strong one; for her, and for our two daughters.
They needed peace of mind, not the turmoil of what had happened to me.
Giving her palm a squeeze, I kissed her again and whispered "I'm going to go check on the stew... rest, love. Please."
Rhefia smiled weakly at me, her eyes warm, yet still hazy as I helped her lay down fully.
Pulling the blanket over her body, I stroked her feverish brow and gave her another smile, before laying my palm over her eyes, forcing them closed.
I stayed like that for a few moments, before I got up and went back downstairs, not even bothering to check the broth.
Going outside, I saw Yiksa crouched beside the small pond, scrubbing at the pan in her hand.
Grabbing her by the back of her neck, I growled "Silent."
Her mouth shut on its own, and she was dragged limply behind me as we entered the forest.
Slamming her against a tree, I glared down at her, not knowing what to do.
I...
I wanted to hurt her.
To make her feel some of what I felt...
But I knew it was just my anger getting the better of me, and that whatever I did to her would only leave me feeling hollow.
However...
Ignoring that, my hand shot forwards, and she gasped as my palm slammed against her cheek.
Gritting my teeth, I sent another crisp slap to her other cheek, before panting, my palm stinging slightly.
I needed to hold back slightly...
I wanted to continue, to add more power to my slaps, to implement my Blood Magic...
But...
Seeing her glaring at me, her emerald eyes shining with hate, I just spat "Back into the clearing. Now."
She started stumbling back towards the house, and I slumped against the tree, my eyes watery.
What the hells...
It felt great to hit her...
But the emptiness I felt afterwards was worse.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I cleared my mind and followed behind her, the Dark Elf remaining silent as she resumed her cleaning.
Walking past her, I stirred the broth before returning upstairs, where I sat down beside Camara, staring at her.
Yiksa made me angry; rightfully so, but when I acted on that anger, it wasn't satiated.
So, I went to something that made me happier; my wife and our children.
Holding her hand, I brought it to my lips as I leaned into it, enjoying her warmth.
It was calming me, and I needed it, now more than ever.
~~~
Time passed by slowly, and I marveled at how quickly my family recovered.
It wasn't to full health; far from it, but...
Sitting before me was Camara and Aethisia, my two girls scarfing down a bowl of the Vetusberry and Pheasant stew, while Rhefia lay beside them, watching on with mirth.
"You two act like you've never eaten before..."
Her voice was still scratchy, but considering she was able to make a joke...
Camara glared back at her dama, while Aethisia ignored her entirely, draining the bowl before holding it out to me.
"Mother, is there more?"
Seeing the hope in her eyes, I smiled and nodded, taking it from her hands.
Going to refill it, I saw Yiksa in the kitchen, staring at the pot of stew with hungry eyes.
"Go. The fuck. Outside. Never enter my house again."
Seeing her standing around like it was the most normal thing in the world pissed me off, and she shivered as she heard my growl.
However, instead of moving, she hesitantly asked "B-But I'm h-hungry..."
Approaching her, I summoned a vial of blood and formed a dagger before her throat, making her flinch.
"I'll feed you when I feel like it, understood? Go. Outside. Before I take that damn eye."
I kept my voice low, not wanting to alert the girls upstairs.
Yiksa shivered again, before nodding and sulking outside, her shoulders slumped as her hands rested on her stomach.
Seeing that, annoyance flooded my system, but I blocked it out.
Aethisia. Stew. Hungry...
Nodding to myself, I refilled her bowl and returned upstairs, handing my daughter her bowl.
She resumed scarfing it down, while Camara looked on in amazement.
"Isn't that... your fifth?"
Again, Aethisia ignored the person speaking to her, making Camara pout.
Chuckling, I stroked my eldest's hair, making her smile.
However, Rhefia was giving me an odd look, and my smile faltered as she stared at me.
"Astra..."
Her raspy voice entered my ears, and both my daughters fell silent as their dama spoke, turning towards me.
"Who's downstairs?"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ketsueki_Hasu
Ketsueki_Hasu Whew~
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone