I thudded up the steps of the porch with Audryn’s limp body in my arms.
“Amalee!” Sky panted. “Ask the Grant chef for honey and any alcohol they can spare.”
“Take it all!” I called over my shoulder as I made it through the door and started climbing the stairs. Not stopping at the second floor, I continued up. Audryn’s gurgling breath made my stomach pitch. But I couldn’t bear to look down at her bloodied body.
The door splintered as I kicked the wood without wasting time to turn the knob. I laid her carefully on my bed, guiding her head down. Sprinting to the bathing room, I retrieved a warm, wet cloth. My breath caught the moment I made it back to my bed, knees threatening to give out.
Thick, bruised lines assaulted the tops of her hands. Defensive wounds. A wide gash split her soft cheek, leaving it filled with dirt and crusted blood. She didn't flinch as I wiped the cloth over the deep wound.
I stood on a cliff of regret and threatened to dive headfirst into a canyon of revenge. I let her go into the capital alone even though I was well aware of the brewing threat. There was nobody else to blame but myself; I should’ve taken the cautionary missives more seriously.
The walls rattled, and boots bounded up the stairs. I inhaled a deep breath and continued gently cleansing Audryn’s facial wounds.
“What happened?” Micah’s eyes raked over her body at a feverish pace.
“She’s fucking hurt,” I snapped. “While you were busy on the eastern ridge, she was fighting for her life.”
“Got it—you’re angry, but you need to tell me exactly what happened,” Micah pressed.
“None of us were with her. Stop talking and do your damned job.”
He grimaced and moved her hair from her shoulder. The once soil-brown hair was clumped into a thick garnet knot. Tentatively, he traced a gaping wound on her neck down to just under her shirt, and when he went to lift the article up, I pushed him away. He lifted his hands in surrender and stepped back.
“Don’t touch her,” I growled.
He blew out a whistled breath and raised a brow. “And you expect me to heal her without doing so?”
I considered my options. “Stomach only. You don’t need to see the extent of the wounds if you can feel them, right?”
“That’s true, but … it’s not that simple.” His brows knitted. “Each wound needs to be cleaned so infection doesn’t settle in.”
“What do you need?”
“There are healers outside with Sky, tell her she’s needed in here instead.” He sighed. “Brother, you’re gonna want to call someone else in on this, I?—”
“No,” I rebuffed.
“But Queen Arden?—”
I shot him a look. Queen Arden had superior healers who wouldn’t require medicinal methods to treat Audryn. But I didn’t implicitly trust her.
Micah shook his head, running a hand through his thick hair.
“I’m not asking someone else to do what I’m sure you’re capable of. And I’m not leaving Audryn. You get Sky.”
Determination settled across his face before he stalked to the window and called for the woman. He returned, placed his hands against Audryn’s abdomen and closed his eyes.
“Fuck,” he muttered as he continued diagnosing her injuries.
“What do you need me to do?” Sky interrupted as she stammered through the broken door.
“Antiseptics, salves, anything to prevent infection.” He motioned her away before calling out, “And pain medicine! A fuckload of pain medicine! She’s gonna need it.”
“The wounds need to be cleaned and left open overnight.” Micah’s voice quivered as he rolled her body onto its side. “We need hot water, clean rags, and towels to lay her on.”
“Got it.” I hesitated. I’d never leave her again for the rest of our lives, but the items wouldn’t gather themselves.
“Col!” Micah’s eyes were pleading. “You really need to call on someone else. Even Athela’s injuries weren’t this bad.”
