Page 82 of Dark Witch Resurrection

"Why not?"

"First of all, I would rather wait for her to transition. Meeting you will leave such an indelible impression that we will not be able to erase her memory of that, provided that it is needed."

Annani laughed. "After finding an alien pod with twenty stasis chambers inside, eighteen dead Kra-ell, and two live half gods, half Kra-ell royal twins, I do not think meeting me will be the most memorable thing in Jasmine's mind."

For a moment, it seemed like she had won the verbal sparring with her son, but then he got that gleam in his eyes that portended otherwise.

"You might be right about that, but it's also not the right way to introduce her to you. Would you rob Jasmine of the full experience of meeting a goddess for the first time by doing so in a cramped clinic room?"

He got her there.

Or maybe not.

"We can do this in your office in the keep. I will sit at the head of the conference table, looking regal and glowing, and you will bring her in to meet me. I will do my thing, welcoming her to the clan and acting godly, and from there, we can walk together to Ell-rom's room."

60

THE PRINCE

"This is a happy moment," Julian said as he entered the room and closed the door behind him. "It deserves a celebration."

"Yes. I hope so."

Julian smiled. "Close your eyes and count to a hundred. By the time you are done, I will be done too."

It was probably how the medic took care of frightened small children, but Ell-rom was happy to follow the advice.

In a way, he was like a small child, learning the world he had recently awakened to. Everything was strange and unfamiliar, but his sister was in the next room over, and he had Jasmine by his side.

He wasn't alone.

There were also the others who had visited him the day before—Annani, who had been so gracious and promised to take care of him and Morelle. Kian, Jade, and Aru also seemed like good people who did not mean him or his sister harm, and maybe they could all become friends at some point. Perhaps he and Morelle would find a community among these people.

"All done," Julian announced. "You can open your eyes now."

"Thank you. That was good advice. I did not feel most of it."

"I tried to be as gentle as possible, but some things hurt no matter how hard I try." Julian leaned over Ell-rom. "Wrap your arms around my neck. I will count to three, and on three, I will lift you off the bed. Try to help by hoisting yourself up and moving your legs over the side of the bed."

As Ell-rom followed the medic's suggestion, he was glad Jasmine was not there to see the humiliating display of helplessness.

"You are doing very well," Julian said as Ell-rom got his feet on the floor. "Now, try to stand straight and leave only one arm around my neck."

His legs shook, and he hung from Julian's neck, but he managed to make one step and then another. Then, he was at the door to the bathroom, and Julian helped him get inside.

"I don't know if you had toilets where you came from, but this is where you empty your bladder and bowels. After you are done, the toilet automatically activates and washes everything down. After a bowel movement, you can press this button, and a water spray will clean the area. All that will remain to be done is to wipe the moisture with some paper. I don't expect you to need to do that yet, but you need to empty your bladder." Julian tilted his head. "Do you want to give it a try?"

"I should." Ell-rom smiled nervously. "I don't want that tube inside of me again."

Julian helped him sit down on the toilet. "I'll give you some privacy by turning my back to you, but I don't want to leave you alone here just yet."

It was glorious to relieve himself, to perform that small function on his own, but when it was time to get up, Ell-rom lacked the strength.

Shame and frustration warred within him, but he could not bring himself to ask for Julian's help.

Instead, he sat there and waited until the medic turned around. "All done?" Julian asked cheerfully.

"Yes, thank you. I just can't get up."