Dr. Bowen resumed her work. Scarlett stared at the woman’s hands, where a faint white light radiated out of her palms into Manon’s body.
“Does your soul light help you heal people?” She was so curious she had to ask, even though the question was childlike inits ignorance.
Dr. Bowen glanced up at Scarlett and paused her work. “Well, yes, it does. But healing isn’t everyone’s gift. Do you know what valors are?”
Scarlett shook her head.
“A valor is a kind of magical specialization. Like most doctors, I’m a medicus. That’s my valor. Even with that, it still takes years of training to heal people.”
“Oh,” said Scarlett. So many questions came to mind. Magical specialization? How many were there? But she wanted Dr. Bowen to focus on her grandmother, so she stayed silent.
The doctor glanced at Manon, then at Scarlett. “Your room is next door, right?”
“Yes.”
“The energy healing for Manon will take an hour or so. If you like, you can wait there. I’ll come to you afterward.”
Back in her room, Scarlett lay on her bed thinking. Her life had been turned upside down since the night of the fight and her breakup with Alastair. Had he reached out while she was asleep? She didn’t want his help, didn’t want to see him, but it was horrible to think he didn’t care whether she lived or died after all their years together.
Her mind wandered to the beginning of their relationship—a more soothing, if bittersweet, set of memories. He’d been so charming, making her feel chosen, showering her with gifts, and welcoming her wholeheartedly into his life, his friendships, and his family. Then he’dchanged, wanting her to exist only for him. He’d been controlling and unwilling to compromise on the things most important to her. The life he’d wanted with her… it wasn’t what she wanted.
Maybe it was for the best he’d been honest, even if it wasn’twhat she’d wanted to hear. She had no desire to go back to him. All she wanted was to heal and go home.
The lie sat heavy in her stomach, and she sighed. There was something else she wanted.
Him.
She pictured Brayden’s face when he’d spotted her across the train station, and her skin tingled as she remembered the all-encompassing hug he’d wrapped her in. She wanted to deepen their friendship in any way she could now that they were finally face-to-face. She wanted more, but she only had days here. It wasn’t enough.
I should have zero expectations of romance, and Ijustbroke up with Alastair.
Somehow, though, her longing for Brayden was undeniable. Scarlett shook her head. She was a lost cause. Thankfully, no one else had to know about it.
Dr. Bowen’s knock snapped her out of her thoughts. She let the doctor in and lay down for the same assessment she’d performed on her grandmother.
Once she’d gone over Scarlett’s body, Dr. Bowen sat in a chair next to the bed. “The good news is your atrophy is mild. You’d heal fine in a short time without me, but with energy healing, it’ll be even faster. In the emotional space, however…” Dr. Bowen patted Scarlett’s hand. “I heard about your father’s death. And how you were there. Under the circumstances, the blockages you have around your heart are normal, but it’s not healthy to live like this long term. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”
The simple inquiry broke Scarlett. The grief she’d buried rose like a tidal wave. She saw it clearly in her mind—the bullet hole in her father’s head, his hair matted with blood, and the chunks of his skull and brain that were missing. It was the sight that haunted her whether she was asleep or awake.
Her pent-up emotions broke through her wafer-thin emotionalarmor, and Scarlett burst into tears. “N-no. I just feel s-sad and overwhelmed.”
“It’s all right to feel overwhelmed, Scarlett. Talk with your loved ones. A burden shared is easier to bear.” Dr. Bowen held Scarlett’s hand and patted it while she cried. She didn’t try to calm her or ask her any more questions.
When the tears stopped of their own accord, the doctor stood. “Now that you’ve cleared some of that out, shall we begin?”
Throat still raw, Scarlett nodded.
Dr. Bowen moved her hands over Scarlett’s body. “Try to relax. You may have more feelings come up. That’s normal. If it becomes overwhelming, we can stop.”
“All right,” said Scarlett from where she was reclining on the bed.
Dr. Bowen’s hands emitted faint white light. After her tears, Scarlett was too exhausted to fear the magic entering her body. The energy healing nipped at the hollowness in her soul, and her body pulsed with a warm, fuzzy sensation. Scarlett fixated on the doctor’s glowing hands, but the healing was so pleasant her eyes eventually closed. Gradually, she felt lighter.
Memories did come up as Dr. Bowen worked on her. At first, they were all unpleasant—the breakup with Alastair, her father’s funeral. But by the time the energy healing was over, she was recalling mornings spent talking to Brayden in front of the mirror with her favorite coffee and happy days surfing at the beach with Beni.
She opened her eyes for a moment when Dr. Bowen said a hushed goodbye, but as soon as she was gone, Scarlett fell into a deep sleep and began to look for Brayden in her dreams.
CHAPTER
