Avery pulled back the covers. Her stomach roiled at the scent and sight of Garnel’s putrid wound. The black ooze continued to come out from under the gauze that Avery had attached. “Do you know how I can call my magic up to heal him?”
“I’m sorry. I know little about the mechanics of witch’s magic. Some were rumored to be healers, and others had more power than even our most powerful fae. But I don’t know enough to help you,” Kyla sighed as she spoke. Her body swayed back and forth like the slightest breeze would knock her down.
“Okay. Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll see what I can do and make sure he’s comfortable before I leave you two alone.”
“That sounds good. Thank you, Avery. I’m thankful for you and for your friendship. Your kindness is uncommon here, and I don’t know how I could face this day without you.”
Avery smiled and leaned down to Kyla, who was still sitting on her mat. She hugged her closely. Their touch didn’t stir any of the strange warmththat happened when she and Savine touched, but she felt that regular stirring in her heart. The stirring in her heart was that of a friend who reached out to another friend in need of care and love.
“You patched me up, and explained this crazy world. I’m honored for you to call me a friend,” Avery said.
“Do you mean it? I know I never should have manipulated your emotions when you were vulnerable. Do you forgive me?” Kyla asked, that sadness in her eyes so near the surface.
“Of course I do. You have this uncanny way of not taking any shit from Savine, yet being the nicest person I’ve ever met. That takes some skill, and I need to learn from you!” Avery said, trying to lighten Kyla’s mood. After all, whether Kyla would want it or not, there was nobody who could change her own emotions. She was stuck feeling whatever agony she was experiencing.
She turned to Garnel and placed her hands on his chest. She didn’t think it would be a wise idea to give him CPR when he had a steady pulse, but perhaps she could reenact what made her magic appear.
Avery tried to think magical thoughts, which made her feel self-conscious. What were magical thoughts, anyway? Did she need to say some sort of spell to get her magic up from inside her? “Take away this fever,” Avery whispered. No, that felt ridiculous. Avery cleared her throat and tried pressing on Garnel’s chest again.
Nothing.
She tried speaking some random words and pressing on Garnel’s chest.
Nope. She wasn’t filled with some sort of magical healing abilities. The two times that light had conjured up were not from her. Maybe it really was those two particular fae’s essence that saved them after all?
As she pressed one last time on Garnel’s chest, Garnel stirred. He opened his hazel eyes at her and stared blankly up at Avery.
“Hi, Garnel. I was trying to work my magic on you, but it seems I’m defective. I can’t get it to call to me like I hoped. But, I have some human medicine. It’s a pain and fever reducer. Would you like to try it?”
Garnel nodded his head slightly, signaling that he wanted the medication. Some of his dark red hair fell across his face, sticking in place. Avery tucked it back behind his peaked ears.
She continued talking calmly to keep Garnel from crying out or waking Kyla. “Kyla is sleeping next to you. We’re going to get you to Bayberry as quickly as possible, but everyone needed rest before they started dropping off their elk.”
Avery took out two ibuprofen from her first aid kit. “Apparently, fae only get fevers when you’re mortally wounded, and the folk don’t treat them. Us weak humans can get a fever from the most mundane things, like the common cold or flu. This medicine also helps with pain. Drink the pills down with some water.”
Garnel nodded, not speaking. Was he unable to speak, or just conserving his energy? She would not question him now. She brought the pills to Garnel’s lips before pouring a sip of water into his mouth. “Now swallow these down. And pray to that Goddess of yours that this doesn’t make you worse. I’m pretty sure the FDA hasn’t approved this medicine for interspecies use.”
Garnel gave her a puzzled look before he closed his eyes again. Avery’s mom was a nurse and had some of the best bedside manners that she’d ever seen. She always cheered her up when she felt sick and cared for her in a way that didn’t suffocate her. Meanwhile, Avery was failing at her bedside manners. Why the hell did she mention the FDA to Garnel?
Avery stood and grabbed her first aid kit and water bottle. The next injured fae would get professional and calm Avery, not someone talking nonsense into their pointed ears.
She quietly left Kyla and Garnel to rest, hoping beyond hope that the medicine she gave Garnel would help him and not hurt him worse than he already was.
The next tent she visited was a young fae warrior who had a severed leg. That was a lot to take in, and she, once again, couldn’t draw her magic out. The man was in obvious agony. Another man sat next to him, giving him sips of pain-relieving tea. Ibuprofen wouldn’t be helping this man deal with the pain he was experiencing any better than an herbal tea. But she gave him two pills, anyway. At this rate, she’d be out of pain relievers in no time.
She had somehow managed to make the other man laugh, washing away the fear in his eyes as he nursed his companion. That alone made a difference to him as he struggled to care for the wounded fae.
She went to two other tents before she found the older woman who she somehow had conjured some faint magic into. The fae must be ancient. Her wrinkles had wrinkles. Knowing that Savine was over one-hundred and fifty years old made Avery realize it must take a very long time for one of the fae to look this old.
The older woman didn’t seem to be in terrible pain and, to Avery’s surprise, she saw Rue sleeping on a mat near her. “Ah, girl. You came back to check on me.”
“Yes, ma’am. How are you feeling?” Avery asked.
“Your magic has helped this blasted wound. Damn those wolven to the Abyss! Their bites hurt and are prone to slow healing. That’s how I’ve ended up with this troop of invalids. I’m Mira, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Mira. I’m Avery.” Avery stuck out her hand to shake Mira’s, but Mira didn’t reciprocate. She remembered howSavine had done the same thing when she tried to shake his hand. Maybe handshaking was another one of those human things?
Avery pointed toward Rue, sleeping on the floor mat. “Is Rue caring for you?”
