Page 20

How was he feeling? Both of his legs hurt, but no worse than they had for the past few days. Perhaps even somewhat better than before. For the first time since that dogfight, he didn’t feel the bullet wound in his now non-existent calf muscle. “I feel a little better, I think.”

As his mama crossed the room, Adry stood, her hand leaving his shoulder, his skin under the hospital gown feeling strangely cold with the absence. “I should get going. I’ll have to hurry to make the evening drill.”

“Thank you for staying today. We both appreciate it.” Mama gave Adry a quick hug.

Merrik nodded, his throat tightening. It was all he could do to manage a strained, “Linshi.”

Adry glanced over her shoulder, their gazes locking for a breathless heartbeat as she gave him a smile.

Then she strode around the curtain, disappearing from view. Something of his hope and energy went with her, leaving him tired and drained despite sleeping all day.

Mama took the seat Adry had vacated, the one pulled close to the side of the bed. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. If you’re up to it, I know Kari would really love to see you.”

His little sister. Merrik winced, a twisting in his chest. He’d been so wrapped up in his own despair and grief that he hadn’t even spared a thought for Kari since he’d returned.

No wonder his mama had taken the drastic step to keep Kari away from him all this time. He’d like to think he wouldn’t have snapped at her, wouldn’t have done something to tarnish her image of her loving and caring big brother. But he couldn’t be sure. And that was the worst part.

“I would like that.” Merrik nodded, forcing himself to smile past the guilt still churning through him.

“Good.” Mama’s smile was far warmer and less shadowed than anything she’d given him in the past days. “Fayetha volunteered to bring us supper. I know how basic hospital fare can be. I’ll let her know to bring Kari along. Will you be all right if I step out for a moment to telephone her?”

“Of course.” Merrik let his eyes fall closed again. “I think I might nap again until they arrive.”

Even after sleeping all day, he was still exhausted. Likely a result of how much his body had been put through between the surgery and the healing afterward.

A nap, then supper. And then, perhaps, he would begin to fight his way back.

Merrik was sitting, propped up on pillows thanks to a helpful nurse, when the curtain opened. Aunt Fayetha stepped into the room with Kari at her side. Kari’s flyaway blonde hair was tamed into a braid down her back while her brown eyes were wide as she regarded Merrik, hesitating by the curtain rather than running to him.

Putting on a smile, Merrik opened his arms toward her. “Hey, Kari.”

“Merrik!” She shrieked his name as she flung herself across the room and into his hug. When he enfolded her into his embrace, she was shaking.

This was his fault. He’d been wounded, and she hadn’t even been able to hug him or see that he was all right for the past week.

No more. He was going to be there for her. No matter how hard things got. No matter how much he wanted to give up. His little sister needed him.

“Hey, I am all right.” Merrik gripped her shoulders, gently pushing her back enough that he could take in the tears streaming down her face. “Really. I am going to be all right.”

For the first time since the crash, those words didn’t feel like a lie.

Instead, a wave of sheer gratitude gripped him. He’d nearly died. He could have lost everything. His life. His little sister. His parents, family, and friends. His squadron. The loss of his leg wasn’t something to shrug off as nothing, and his path forward wasn’t easy.

But he was alive. He could hug his little sister. Right now, that was all that mattered.

Kari blinked at him, sniffling and gulping in shaking breaths. “I was scared. And I missed you.”

“I know.” Merrik squeezed her shoulders. “I am going to be stuck in the hospital for a few more days. But maybe you can come tomorrow, and we can have a tea party? If Mama and Aunt Fayetha can help put one together.”

“Of course.” Mama’s smile widened as she and Aunt Fayetha laid out the meal on a side table.

Merrik settled back on the pillows and took a plate when Mama held it out to him.

Adry had been right. Today was the day things started to get better.

Midmorning the next day, Merrik was lounging on the pillows against the head of the bed when Mama and Kari arrived, both of them toting large, rectangular baskets.

Mama set her basket beside the head of the bed, her forehead scrunching slightly. “Will you be all right if I leave Kari here for a while?”