Aurelia finished stabilizing the last bleeding elder and finally pulled her hands back. Hylia hovered close to her, her feathers puffed up from strain. The faint mist around her had grown thinner, showing how exhausted the little thing was.
Aurelia held her gently; then, an expression that almost no one had ever seen on her face appeared, and she began brushing Hylia's soft feathers near her neck.
"You did well,"
She murmured softly.
"Thank you."
Hylia's glowing mist-blue eyes blinked slowly, as if nodding at her.
"I just need you to push yourself one last time."
Aurelia spoke. Her voice carried a little guilt, as if she didn't like how her Bond was being overworked, but Aurelia understood it was important.
Hylia did too, so she nodded again, her determination returning. Aurelia smiled; then, she turned towards Kael and, for the slightest second, she hesitated.
Then, as if she prepared herself, she leaned closer, like she was handing over something precious.
