Return it now to earth and sea.
With love I heal, with love I part,
Let light reclaim my weary heart.
As moonlight fadesand sunbeams rise,
I call the peace behind all skies.
Sprites of Wind and Mothers of Stone,
Guide this hurt to be dethroned.”
At the final word,the wind picked up, and a tornado of flower petals swirled around me and when I blinked my eyes open, white ceiling tiles greeted me. The steady beep of a heart monitor told me where I was, and I shifted, turning my head to see a woman in a wheelchair by my bed.
“Ah, there she is. Welcome back, Faelan. We haven’t met yet, but I’mLeslie, Luch’s mum.”
“Is he?” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.
“He’s just fine and chomping at the bit to speak with you. I only sent him away because he hasn’t eaten in a day now.”
“A day?” I croaked. My throat was dry, and I had a powerful thirst.
“You’ve been out for two now, since the accident.” Leslie wheeled forward and picked up a cup with a straw and leaned toward me. Turning my head, I took the straw and sucked, my eyebrows winging up as I realized the concoction was an iced version of my special healing tea.
“Iced tea?”
“Any type of your tea we could get into you, we tried. Luch insisted. He’s quite rabid for you, I’ll admit.” A melancholy smile crossed her face. “And I’m happy for it, even though I know it means he won’t be coming home.”
“He won’t?” I shifted, testing my limbs, surprised to feel the pain had disappeared.
Eriska. She’d done this.
Sending up a silent “thank you” to her, I scooted up the bed so I could sit up and take a proper look at Luch’s mum. She was a tiny thing, but pretty as could be, with kind eyes and a warm smile.
“I know a man in love when I see one. And if he’s anything like his father, he’ll never leave your side.”
“He did though. He walked away. The other night.”
“So I hear. And I think he knows he screwed up. What can I say, Faelan? I can do my best, but they’re still men. Bound to screw up once in a while.” Leslie laughed. “I hope you can bring yourself to forgive him.”
“I don’t want to hold on to grudges.” I rememberedEriska’s words about moving forward with grace. “I healed him because I couldn’t imagine a future without him. It would seem silly to hold on to something so small in the face of that.”
“Sure, and it’s a relief to be hearing you say that,” Luch said from where he stood in the doorway, and my eyes whipped to his. My heartbeat escalated. “Though you’ll still be getting a proper apology from me.”
“Luch,” I whispered, relief filling me. He was alive. And healthy. He wore a loose pair of scrubs and there was color in his skin. I wanted to run into his arms and cuddle against his chest.
“And before he does that, I also owe you an apology.” To my shock, Luch’s dad pushed him lightly aside and strode to the bed. He glanced at the monitors beside me, reading them, and then gave me a quick nod. “Vitals look good.”
“Thanks,” I said, looking at the man who almost killed me.
“It has come to my attention that I’m a stubborn arse, and have a blind spot for certain things, which has led me to cause serious issues for those I love. I’m sorry I insulted you, by offering to pay you off.”
“You what?” Leslie exclaimed.
“And I’m sorry that I didn’t trust you to heal Luch. You saved my boy, and for that I owe you a debt. Anything you need—ever—and I will give it to you.”
“Thank you,” I said, understanding how difficult apologizing was for a man like Richard.
