Warmth enveloped Aelia as Ava wrapped her arms around her, it made her relax and caused a few more tears to slip down her face. Perhaps she really was safe for now, Ava had seemed more than capable of defending herself and Aelia. Still, adrenaline pumped through her veins and her heart pounded in her ears. As it always tended to when Aelia was afraid, her skin was more green than its normal pale tone. Her coloring as well as the cold, clammy feel of her skin made her seem sickly.

Lia didn't want to move just yet, Ava's warmth made her feel protected, so she remained within the woman's arms. "I-I have to go home," Aelia stated, her tone firm but her voice more than unsteady. "They will realized I am missing soon enough and pa will get worried. I-if they find me here with you first, th-they might..."Aelia trailed off, not wanting to put into words what she was afraid of. This was all too much, she was still reeling after her almost assassination and only grew more stressed at the thought of people blaming Ava for all of this.

"I have to go back Ava, if they send out a search party they'll destroy anyone in their path, no questions asked. And-and I would not be able to stop them." Aelia took a deep breath, trying not to break down again.

Ava nodded her understanding, albeit a bit reluctantly, and pulled back from the hug, although it was only enough to look into Lia's eyes. The hand that had been on the other woman's head gently smoothed across Lia's cheek, as as her fingers touched the tears, they evaporated into the air, "There we go darlin'. I'll walk you back to the palace, if that is alright with you?" The, 'In case he is still in the woods,' went unsaid, but still hung heavily in the air.

"Randy will be able to warn me if there are guards up ahead, so I would be safe getting closer to the palace."

Ava lightly dropped her hands from where they were touching Lia, and instead held into her hands, squeezing them tightly in what Ava hoped was a comforting grip, "Do you want to head back now?"

Surprise floated across Aelia's features as her tears seemingly disappeared into the air. Of course she'd known that Ava had control over water, but really, really understanding that shocked Aelia. Of course Ava was powerful, she was strong and confident and caring, very few women acted like that unless they had some sort of power or authority.

It took Aelia a moment to blink herself out of her thoughts, Ava's words finally hitting her. "O-oh, I would appreciate that, yes please, walk me back." Aelia allowed Ava to take her hands, and the feeling of them made her feel even safer, and not as alone. She released a great sigh as Ava mentioned returning.

Aelia could only imagine how worked up her father was, and how many days she'd be forced to stay in bed in order to keep her fragile body safe from any more harm. Not to mention the fact that she'd probably be surrounded by guards for many days. The thought made her wince, more than anything she wanted to run away. Here she was a burden, the Crown Princess of a country that hated her with a step mother that wanted her gone and nobles that made snide comments about her. Leaving and never returning seemed like such a better idea than staying in a place that would never fully accept her, that would even send assassains after her solely because someone believed that she was unfit to rule.

"I suppose I should, i-if I stay any longer there will already be search parties sent out and I'd rather not have people worry about me unnecessarily."

Ava nodded, and squeezed Lia's hands while hesitation floated across her features, "I... If you ever need to get away... from it all... just call for me, into the water - like you did today. It doesn't have to be as big as a pond, but big enough where I can form a solid connection. If you just needed someone to talk, then a goblet of water would be enough."

Ava shrugged, and dropped one of Lia's hands as they began to walk back to the palace, although she kept hold of one of her hands, "Again - its optional. Just... you seem like you could use someone to talk to, outside of the palace." She winced slightly - that might have been presumptuous, even if it was true.

Aelia offered Ava a grim smile in return for her kind words. Despite being a princess, Aelia had very few people who she could call friends. Hearing Ava's offer made Lia a bit warmer inside, even if she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to take her up on that offer.

It took Aelia longer than normal as she struggled to stand, but with enough determination she finally pulled herself up. The dress, which had seemed light and airy after so many years of wearing such large dresses, now felt heavy and constricting. Her feet too were also a torn, bloody mess under the gown, which was a given since she'd been running blindly through the forest. Lia ached all over, and was a little dizzy, but she ignored all of that as the duo began to walk.

"I really could, and your offer is very generous Ava. Thank you again, for everything."

As they began to walk, Ava faltered in her step, "Lia? Are you bleeding?" She could feel the tingling sensation and sluggish flow that blood was associated. It was against the Code to control blood, but that didn't mean that Ava couldn't feel it. Water was her domain.

As well, Randy's meows from up ahead (Your friend is hurt, Witch. Take care to stop the bleeding, lest infection sets in) told her something was wrong.

It wasn't like Aelia had been intentionally hiding her torn up feet, but she hadn't been ready to just confess it. She knew that once she returned to the palace she'd be given the finest care that the land had to offer, she hadn't found a reason to burden Ava anymore by telling her about her bleeding feet. "Well..maybe? It's not a big deal Ava, it's just my feet. They'll fix it right up once I get back to the palace." Aelia quickly waved Ava's concern off, her feet didn't even hurt that bad, they just stung a little and were bleeding of course. It wasn't like she was going to die like she almost had mere minutes ago.

Ava hesitated like she wanted to protest more, but settled with, "I don't want the cuts to get infected, is all, and I can help them heal faster."

She didn't... Ava didn't like the idea of Lia being hurt.

"If you want to get back as fast as possible, then I get that - I just wanted to put the offer out there, if you wanted."

The problem was, Aelia didn't want to get back to the castle as fast as possible. For the next few days she'd be forced to stay in her room, sitting in the window where her body could get as much sunlight as possible to heal faster. Then, because she'd be in a fragile state or whatever because of her mixed blood, her father wouldn't let her leave the palace for at least a month, probably longer. In that time, she wouldn't be able to go outside, or get a moment alone.

Her handmaidens would not be allowed to leave her alone for even a moment, and that meant that she wouldn't be able to see Ava for a long, long time. For some reason, the mere idea of that month without seeing her made Aelia's heart ache. "I-I guess if you can help them a little bit that would be nice. It does burn a lot so you're probably right about the whole infection thing. I'm sorry that I'm being such a burden tonight."

Ava shook her head firmly, "No - you are not a burden. Trust me on that. I want to help you - spend time with you. So please don't apologize."

Guiding Lia toward a rock, she gestured for her to sit down. Once she did, Ava crouched on the ground, and gently lifted the hem of Lia's dress so she could find her wounded feet. After pushing aside the layers of fabric, Ava almost mindlessly pressurized the water vapor in the air into a bubble of water, which then floated slightly above Ava's hand.

Moving her hand along the cuts and scrapes - not touching, but present - the water slowly knit them together, ejecting the dirt and grass that had found its way inside.

"There we go," Ava sat back in her heels, "The cuts are closed - your feet just might be tender for a while. I can heal external injuries, but I can't fix muscle soreness."