It was all too much. How could they expect Exodus to be able to carry on as if his world isn't teetering off the edge of oblivion? The king's appointments flash in a blur as he only has one thing in mind- Illeana.

Staying on the other side of the palace, Exodus wishes he were there now. The doctors had said she was in good health today, though that gave little comfort. He left her sleeping and has yet to visit her.

Illeana has been sick for over a year, but recently, her body had nothing more to give. She was placed on bed rest a week ago and has lacked the strength to leave their room since. There was no understanding of her illness. No response to the various treatments they had tried. No medicine nor magic had unlocked the cure for his love. They were all at a loss.

Exodus has tried to be strong for her, to lead his family and the kingdom in the wake of this tragedy. But he has never felt so weak. So broken. So scared.

"I believe this agreement will do nicely, councillors."

Remembering he isn't alone, Exodus looks up, nodding to the group in front of him.

"Are there any remaining topics to discuss?" He asks, keeping his tone formal. There isn't a response, but a murmuring of no's spread across the table. "Then I will adjourn this meeting. Thank you all for your time. Please be safe on the travel home, and have a nice day."

Not wasting any time, Exodus rises from his seat and exits the large hall and into the complex maze of hallways in the wing. The council room was too far away from her. What if something happens and he has to come? Surely they could use an area closer to her for the time being.

His mind buzzes until he reaches their chamber doors. Taking a shaking breath, he opens the door. His heart spikes seeing no one on the bed, but it soon subsides as he hears the subtle giggling beyond. Rounding the edge of the bed, Exodus lays his eyes on his world. His wife and daughter, lying in a pile of covers and pillows. Illeana has a children's book in her hands, closing the pages before their eyes meet.

"Exodus, my love. You've come just in time. We've finished reading The Magic Cabinet for the third time." She gives a smile and Exodus can feel his stresses of the day ease.

"It's my favorite, daddy! I wanna hear it again." Iarath chimes in, sticking her head out of the covers she was once hiding in.

His smile mirrors his wife's as Exodus kneels down in front of them. "Is it? What happened to Butterfly House?"

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Instantly, Iarath gasped, eyes wide and alert. She darts up and begins running past the two and towards the door. Exodus chuckles as he watches her struggle to get the door open.

"You know she'll have me read that one at least six times." Illeana says softly with a laugh before breaking into a coughing fit. Exodus' attention instantly turns to his wife, fetching her glass of water from the nightstand. He waits patiently for her to catch her breath, his hand stroking her back softly.

"I pushed myself too much today... I thought I could handle it." He could hear the defeated tone in her voice and Exodus clenches his teeth.

"It's alright, my dear. Let's get you back into bed."

After placing the cup back, the king lifts his wife in his arms and takes her back into bed. Exodus covers her back up and lays down next to her. Illeana quickly repositions herself, resting her head on his chest.

"How are you doing?" He asks her.

"I'm tired. But I'm alright." She lies.

He could tell. It wasn't hard to see the exhaustion seeping into her soul. This ailment has eaten away at her life until she has barely anything left of it. Exodus wraps his arm around her, realizing just how thin she has gotten. Tears begin to form in his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Exodus whispers.

She shakes her head. "You don't need to be sorry."

"I'm sorry I can't save you."

The silence is deafening. But Exodus can't hold the tears any longer. Short sobs escape the man as he holds his world in his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

She doesn't respond, but her soft shaking speaks where words fail. Exodus clutches onto her, trying to give her his own life force. He would give anything to save her, had he the power. What good was being a king if he was powerless to protect the lives of those he held most dear.

"Promise me you'll take care of her. If I don't make it, she'll need you more than ever."

Her tone had shifted into something serious, almost as if she were reading off a list. The thought scared Exodus. Of continuing without her. He refuses to think of that possibility, but with it right in front of him, Exodus still can't bring himself to peer into that reality.

"You'll make it." He responds with a quivering lip.

"Ex, promise me. I'm not giving up, I'm going to fight this with all that I have. But I need to know that whatever happens, she has you. I can't bare the thought of her being alone through this."

"Whatever happens, she'll always have me. I won't let anything happen to her. You have my word, I’ll keep her safe. Whatever it takes."

There were no more words spoken. There was nothing to be said. They just held onto one another as if their life depended on it.

Soon Iarath returns and the three of them read her favorite book eight times. They talk and laugh and smile as if nothing had happened. But they know. They aren't the same. For all the power and sway Exodus has, he lacks the strength to restore something as fragile as a life. He understands that Illeana is losing the fight, and for the first time, he knows there is nothing that can be done about it.

What else can Exodus do but curse the Goddess for making innocent life decay so easily?