That's why I came here

Rowan slowly opened his eyes. Exhaustion and dull aches jolted throughout his body. He took stock of his surroundings and noted the expensive-looking white bed canopy overhead. He lay in an extraordinarily comfortable bed, one he might have enjoyed if he knew where he was.

“Aislinn…!” Rowan groaned. Visions of the future, of a corrupted Aislinn leading an invasion of his city, filled him with fear. He slowly pushed the blanket off himself to search for the princess.

The large double doors opened, and a lone figure walked in. “Oh no, you don’t. Back in bed, you.”

Rowan pushed himself up and focused his eyes. “Aislinn!” She looked as radiant as ever as she carried a tray of food to him.

“Rowan! Sit back against the bedpost,” she gently instructed him with an amused smile. She watched him strain to sit up and lean against some pillows. Aislinn set the food tray on the nightstand, sat in the chair beside the bed, and placed the covers over his legs and waist. “How do you feel?” There was genuine concern in her voice.

“Rough for wear, but alive. How about you?” He replied.

Aislinn was once more amused by his words. “I am completely healthy. It was not I who slept for a full day,” she assured him. “Everyone is alive thanks to you.”

A tired smile came over Rowan’s face. “That’s good,” he heaved a sigh of relief. “I met Mairwen. She’s the one who gave me that power. She said I could “save those who could not be saved before,” and I bet she meant you.”

Aislinn was startled by his words. “Y-yes. I heard what you said before, how I was corrupted and led the attack on your home.” Pure guilt and anguish reflected on her face.

Rowan put his hand on her knee to comfort her. “It wasn’t your fault. Since we saved you, that attack might not have happened at all. We avoided your “twilight” entirely.”

She lifted a bowl of soup from the tray and stirred the contents with a spoon. “Yes, we did. Thank you.” She fed him a spoonful of soup.

Rowan quickly swallowed the meat and vegetable soup so he could ask his questions. “What was that power anyway? And what happened after I passed out?”

Aislinn fed him another spoonful of soup. “We carried you straight to Luíseach Castle to tend to your wounds. It was closer than Annfayn, and the people there need time to rebuild,” she began. “Mairwen granted you the power of Vercingetorix. He was a great Danan king who once battled Aonghas himself to save the world,” she continued. “Wielding such power placed a heavy burden on your body, and you had lost a great deal of energy. As such, Isolde and I offered our own to save your life,” a sly grin formed on her lips. “If you’re wondering who changed your clothes…” Her voice trailed off, causing Rowan to look embarrassed. She briefly giggled and finished. “Healers who treat my father. He provided the sleeping gown himself; that’s why it’s so smooth.”

He swallowed more soup. “Thanks. What happened with the ritual? Did it work?”

“Yes, of course. The demons were banished and the land healed. The lakes, plants, and animals were purified. It’s as though the Leòideach family had never worked with the god of demons,” she replied. “Though Lord Domhnall and his co-conspirators were found and detailed. I was surprised to learn that not everyone in that family knew of his plans.”

Aislinn made certain that Rowan finished every drop of the nourishing soup she made by hand. She then helped him drink a soothing elixir. “Lie back down and get rest. I’ll be by later to check on you.”

“Wait, what about the Festival of Sídmaith? You shouldn’t miss it,” Rowan told her.

She let out a brief laugh. “I never wanted to go to that festival to begin with. I…always receive strange stares from the nobles and servants. I’m perfectly happy to tend to you.”

“All the more reason to go,” Rowan insisted. He threw the covers off himself again and stood up from the bed.

“Absolutely not! You’re still weakened,” Aislinn snapped.

Rowan pulled her to her feet and held one of her hands while placing his other hand on her hip. “Come on, your father is expecting me to escort you. I can’t exactly annoy a king, can I? It’ll be off with my head,” he joked. Aislinn sighed and rolled her eyes while she put her hand on his shoulder. “Besides, you can keep an eye on me at the party.”

“Very well,” she relented. “Bear in mind that we will leave the moment you so much as stumble.”

“Deal,” Rowan grinned and tried to dance with Aislinn, only for him to stop when he felt a great deal of pain strike his back. Aislinn sighed and cast a spell to heal him.

Rowan carefully dressed himself in the noble attire King Túathal prepared for him: a fine green tunic and pants with silver embroidery, and a light green patterned cloak that wrapped across his chest and hung over his back. His black boots looked more expensive than the rest of the outfit.

He recovered enough energy to stand and walk by the time he and Aislinn entered the ballroom. She was dressed in a Danan noblewoman’s attire complete with runic embroidery that only Danans could read. A band was already playing music that Rowan wanted to record with his phone, so he could put it on a playlist in his time.

The two entered the hall with their arms locked. Aislinn walked with dignity and grace while he tried not to nervously trip over his own feet. He heard rude comments about a commoner walking amongst them and the “adopted Danan princess.” Rowan felt a pang of anger and realized what Aislinn had dealt with most of her life.

“Forget them. Not a single one would have the courage to face down an army of demons,” Rowan mocked them in turn. His confident smirk made her briefly chuckle. He spun her around, then held her close so they could dance.

Aislinn laughed and followed his lead. She quickly realized that he had no idea how to dance. “Follow my lead, Rowan. One more time.”

“That's why I came here,” he replied with a warm smile. Rowan followed her as they danced among the other nobles who enjoyed the music. The world melted away, and all he saw was her. Aislinn’s warning about becoming romantic echoed in his mind. However, he couldn’t help but listen to his heart. She looked enchanting in her dress, and her perfume smelled as sweet as honey. Aislinn’s eyes locked with his, and he believed that he saw the same feelings reflected in her divine blue eyes.

The song ended almost a minute before Rowan and Aislinn stopped dancing. A servant approached and quietly informed Aislinn that her parents wished to speak with both of them. Rowan planned to quietly walk behind Aislinn as they approached the king and queen, but she quickly grabbed his hand and made him walk beside her.