“You can’t save him if we all die,” I snapped and turned to Iver. “I can make a tea that will help to numb some of the pain, and it will also serve to numb some of his conjuring abilities, just for a short time. If you do not do this and continue, then he very well may set the entire room ablaze.”
“We have things for pain, but they take half an hour to work, and we do not have such time,” the healer cut in.
“This will begin working almost instantly and will help temper his conjuring so that you can heal without fear of injury.” I turned to Iver again, for it was clearly going to be his decision. “All the supplies I need are already here. It will take me less than a minute. Please, let me help.”
Gray eyes looked down at his brother. “One minute,” he stated.
The healer removed her hands from Erik, and he stilled.
Instantly I moved, pulling herbs from the shelves, while the female watched me in surprise. Most healers I knew were very particular and guarded regarding their herbs, yet she did not seem uncomfortable with my prying and using her supply. Or she was good at biting her tongue.
“Is there any hot water?” I asked, grinding herbs and roots in a cup, just enough to release the oils from the leaves.
“Silver pitcher. It was freshly boiled just before you got here,” she answered.
“If possible, sit him up so that he doesn’t choke,” I said to no one in particular.
The healer moved. With Kole’s help, they adjusted the woodentable, raising Erik’s upper body to a gentle angle. Kole stepped aside, giving me access to him.
I brought my hand to his burning hot cheek.
“Erik,” I said his name, my voice calm but firm. “You need to drink this.” I poured a little into his mouth, and he coughed it up, spewing it all over himself.
I gripped his jaw. “Erik. We are trying to help you, but you need to drink this. If you do not, then you may kill us all. Do you hear me? Please. Trust me and drink this.” It seemed like his eyes may have opened briefly into thin slits before closing once more.
Again, I tried to pour the tea into his mouth.
He swallowed.
The relief I felt was extraordinary.
I poured more of it until it was all gone.
He drank the entire thing.
Thank the Spirit.
Moving out of the way, Kole helped to lower Erik back down, flat on his back. The healer’s hands found their way to the wound at Erik’s leg.
“Cut the bandage,” she ordered, and Kole moved, snipping the fabric. I hesitated, fearing the sight of blood gushing through the wound, but it never came. Had she already done enough to stop the bleeding?Amazing.
“Amazing,” the healer murmured, looking from Erik’s face to mine before returning to the gash. Her hands remained on him the entire time, and slowly I could see the wound heal, the sides gradually coming closer together, the skin stitching together.
I jumped as the door into the small room swung open with force. Edmond entered, his gaze traveling over Erik’s body, before looking at each of us.
His attention ended on Kole. “Get her out of here.” His voice was frigid as he gestured to me.
“But I—” My words were cut off when Kole grabbed me undermy arm, guiding me through the room and out the door. He did not release me when we exited the chamber, practically dragging me down the hall.
“Let go.” I bit the words out, trying to wedge my arm out of his hold. He only released me once we got to a narrow staircase. His enormous body stood squarely between me and the floor we had left Erik on.
“Go.” His voice was firm.
I took a step towards him, entering his space. Anger flooded through me. How could they treat me like this? I was the one who cut off the blood to Erik’s wound and who half dragged him back to this wretched place, and they treated me as though I was not even worthy of being in the same room as him. Within that anger was a sliver of hurt, which only further fueled the rage. Kole knew me, yet he stood between his King and me as if he needed to shield Erik from me. As ifIwere the dangerous one.
There was no way of getting around Kole, and so I reined in my emotions the best I could and pivoted, taking the stairs to the fifth floor. He trailed silently behind me till we finally made it to the small sitting room leading to my individual room.
Only when the door closed behind us did Kole finally speak. “Thank you. For everything you did today.” His tone was gentle.
