“Faelan.” The bed dipped again and Luch’s face came into view, those golden green eyes burning in his face. “If you think for one second I’m letting you go home alone in this condition, then you don’t know me at all.”
Right, there was no way to fight against him, not when I was this weak. I gave him a small smile.
“Purple jar. It has runes on it.”
“I’ll be back in fifteen. Oban will stay with you.” Luch was up and gone before I could muster a response, and I rolled my head when I felt Oban jump up next to me. I smiled at the scratch of his tongue against my cheek, licking my tears.
“Sweet friend. I didn’t want to tell him. I don’t know that I’ll get to see you much after this.”
“He may surprise you.”
“I don’t think so. Not after what he told me about his mum. He hates healers.”
“Aye, his family does.”
“There’s no point in drawing this out. I can’t see how he’ll accept me. And I’m done, Oban. I’m done running.”
The tears came harder now, and Oban stopped talking and dutifully snuggled close, letting me turn my head and cry into his fur. I wasn’t sure what I cried for, but it wasn’t just for the pain that ratcheted through my body. It was also likely because for a brief moment I had allowed myself to hope. To hope that finally I had the future I’d always dreamed of in my grasp, and now it would be snatched away like it had been so many times before.
The front door opened, Oban popped his head up, and steps sounded.
“I’m just going to brew it up. Like normal, yes?”
“Please.” I stifled a whimper as another wave of pain worked through my body. Oban licked my cheek again and then jumped off the bed, going into the kitchen to check on Luch.
“Tea’s brewing. Now it is out to nature? Is that correct?”
Luch was so brisk, matter-of-fact, and it made me cry even harder. He didn’t fight me on what I’d said, didn’t insist I go into the hospital, and instead was listening to what my needs were.He’s switched into doctor mode, just as I do.This was the kind of man that women could lose their hearts over, and yet I knew I’d never have a chance to find out what could have been between us. At least not now.
Forever alone is often where we end up, Faelan of the flowers. And even then, never alone. Always connected.
Now was not a moment when I wanted to hear Eriska’s words.
“Shhh, darling. You’ll be fine. We’ll get you sorted. Come on then, tell me what you need?”
I need you to still give me a chance.
Instead, I just nodded feebly. “Yes, please. I need to go into nature. Barefoot.”
“Right.” Luch picked up my jumper, but I just shook my head. When I was this injured, skyclad was the only way.
“A robe?” I asked.
“Got it.” Luch went out of my sight and came back with a navy fluffy terry-cloth robe and he helped me sit up and slide my arms through it. Before I could take a step, he lifted me quite effortlessly into hisarms again, went out into the kitchen, and stopped by the tea that was brewing. “Tea now or after the spell?”
“After.”
I heaved in a deep breath, and then another, forcing the tears back as Luch carried me out of his back door and into the coolly misting morning rain. The tall trees around his cottage cocooned us, shadowing the morning light, and a light breeze brought the scents of damp earth to me.
“Where do you need to do this? Anywhere in particular?”
“No. Just under a tree is fine.”
Luch lowered me to the ground, and I shivered as my bare feet hit the earth, connecting with the energy that rolled under the surface.
“Can you stand?”
“Aye.” Turning, I handed him my robe, not caring anymore that I was standing in just my knickers, and then I crossed my arms over my stomach. “Mother Moon, now fading bright, guide this pain into the light. Nature sprites, with morning’s grace, lift this ache from my body and face. Pain, be gone, in silence swept, by nature’s force, you are inept.”
