Page 128 of A Blackened Bond

It’s been two days since we found Micai unconscious on her bed, burning up with an unnatural fever and whimpering in pain.

Annex, Mallyn and I brought her to the abattoir, and have had four different healers look at her, even a human doctor. But nobody can pinpoint why her fever won’t break or what kind of pain she’s in.

We’ve fed her multiple potions to help her with her fever and pain, but nothing seems to be working.

Creed has called numerous contacts and pulled in a few favours to get a revered shaman to come and take a look at her. But until they arrive, we have to wait, watching over her and hoping that she gets better.

A small whimper leaves her lips as I take the seat next to Annex’s bed, taking her hand in mine and trying to soothe her in some way.

How I wish I were born as some type of healer or an elf or Fae who naturally knew about the ways of medicine. Maybe then I could be of more use to her?

I peer around the room, noticing small bundles of Micai’s clothes and toiletries from her dorm room. Annex and Mallynhad brought them over, wanting her to have everything she needs around her here, so she wouldn’t have to leave. Unfortunately, it only made us all too aware of the fact that Micai hasn’t been given all the things she’s deserved over the years. The things taken from her old and worn-out drawers were too few and too basic for our beautiful mate.Something we will soon remedy.

I also think Annex brought them here to help soothe himself. He has become even more crazed and erratic than before, not willing to part with her throughout the night and placing her in his room.

I brush small circles across her skin, the contact helping to soothe the slight ache working its way into my chest as I gaze at my beautiful unconscious mate.

For whatever reason, we couldn’t help her. Not even our bonds that tie us together gave us the ability to take her pain away or understand what she’s feeling. I think this fever and pain is something more profound, and something forming in the depths of her.

My mother used to tell me that when Sirens were young and growing into their adolescent phase, we sometimes go through an ‘Awakening’.

It's when we come into our strength and power…and scales. Our magical abilities would grow to new heights as we develop with more time and become more capable of handling those abilities. But the transformation we had to undergo was…brutal.

She used to say it was a dangerous phase and that the weaker of our kind would pass away during it, not able to endure its harsh pain. She told me that an elder—usually a parent—would guild their youngling through it and help them pass it without too much difficulty.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to be there for mine.

I watch Micai, wondering if this was something similar, some trial or transformation that she was going through.

She said she had grown more powerful since receiving the marks on her body. Maybe they had something to do with this?

Brushing my fingers along her soft pink cheek, I remind myself how strong she is and how many times she has surprised us with her strength and fearlessness.

This wouldn’t defeat my mate. She was made of powerful stuff.

And no matter what it is, we would weather it together.

Her brows pinch together, a look of pain streaked across her face as I gently squeeze her hand. A tightness wraps itself around my heart, seeing her in so much pain and unable to help her.

Whether this was some trial or awakening, I wish I could take it away or transfer it to myself. I would take every drop of her pain and agony, and at tenfold if it meant she didn’t have to bear it for a second longer.

My fingers stroke through her hair, a little hum flowing from my lips as I call my magic to soothe her as much as possible.

Her brows unknit, a soft smile coating her lips as I continue humming, her face leaning toward my touch as she mumbles something softly.

‘Zrael’.

My brows knit together. Did I tell Micai my full name before?

It’s not something I usually talk about or tell people.

Ezraelwas the name my beloved mother gave me…And called out when she died. It wasn’t something I could bear hearing other people call me anymore.

But now, listening to it leaving Micai’s lips, the soft and endearing way it sounds as she calls me…It wraps itself around me, reminding me instantly of the love it holds and the woman who gave it to me. My breath catches in my throat with hermemory, and a single stray tear drips down my cheeks, followed by another and another.

How I missed her…

I look at my mate, wiping my tears away as I feel her forehead, her skin still too hot to touch. I begin to hum again, wrapping my soft melody and magic around her. She once again leans into my hand, finding some small relief in it, and her soft smile grows slightly.

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