Page 76 of Perilous Healing

Idra offers me a smile, then starts walking toward the river. He holds my elbow as I step down the bank and into the cool water. It pulls at my legs, the current stronger than it looks on the surface.

But it’s cool.

Refreshing even.

Together, we move further into the river, stopping only once the water is up to our waists.

“Lower her slowly,” Abana calls out. “To avoid shock.”

I keep my gaze trained on her beautiful face as I slowly lower down into the water. Her feet hit it first, then I continue going down, almost losing my balance as the weight shifts. Idra keeps me rooted as I lower her further into the river, going slowly, just as Abana ordered.

Bianca barely reacts to the cooler water even as I finish submerging her up to her neck. I’m kneeling against the rocky bottom, but even though the stones bite into the flesh of my knees, I know I’d stay here for the rest of my life if it meant she’d wake.

“God,” I whisper. “Please don’t take her.” I feel the plea all the way to my soul. It’s unguarded, and even as stubborn as I’ve been, I know He has to be listening. “Take me. Please. She can help these people. She’s been helping them. They need her.”

Idra touches my shoulder and smiles knowingly at me, then he closes his eyes and bows his head.

Tears fill my eyes. I’ve been barely keeping it together over the past few weeks. Between being terrified about Eloise and how she’s doing, to nearly dying, to forgiving yet still trying my best to keep Bianca at a distance, even though I know the love I carried for her all those years ago never actually went anywhere.

“God,” I repeat. “I need her. Please don’t take her too. Please, I’m—” The words get stuck in my throat. “She’s the light guiding me back. I feel it every time I see her. It’s like a spotlight that’s slowly driving the darkness away. She’s made me believe. Even though I’m far too stubborn to admit it. Please, God. I know You’re there. I know You’re good. And I know that You have a plan for everyone, but please—I’m begging You—don’t let this be hers. Don’t let it be mine.” I close my eyes, and a tear falls.

I don’t even know if I’m praying right, but as the words pour from my mouth, there’s a sense of peace that settles over me. An unexplainable understanding that He is in charge even as I’ve done nothing but turn my back on Him.

“God, I know You’re there. And I know You’re in control.”

Bianca groans, and I look down at her as her eyes flutter open. Emerald green with flecks of gold that have captured my every waking moment since we first met. “Hey,” she chokes out.

“Thank you, God.” I crush her against my chest, holding her to me.

“What’s happening?” she asks.

“You passed out.”

Her gaze clears, and it’s as though I’m watching the fever disappear from her as we stand here in the cool water.

Idra grins widely at her, then squeezes my shoulder gently.

“Where are we?”

“A river,” I reply. “Outside of the camp.”

Her brow arches. But before she can respond, chaos breaks out on the embankment.

“Drop it!” someone orders. Realization stirs hope inside of me. I know that voice. Even before they come into view, I know that the cavalry has arrived. That God not only woke Bianca up, He brought us a rescue team.

Idra starts to move toward the bank where Laring and Abana stand, their hands raised. He looks back at me though, maintaining his hold on my shoulder as men pour from the trees. Four of them wearing baseball caps, tactical gear, bulletproof vests, and carrying rifles aimed directly at the two armed guards.

Three service dogs slip from the trees right alongside them, remaining silent, though I know without question that if given the order, the animals would lunge right into the action. They’re highly trained, and my cousins never go anywhere without them.

“I said drop it!” the man orders again.

Keeping Bianca cradled against my chest, I make my way back to the embankment, moving as quickly as I can as Idra steadies the both of us.

I reach the edge and set Bianca down beside Abana while the men clear the area, disarming the guards and securing their wrists with zip ties. The man in charge turns toward me, and I find myself nearly weeping with joy as I stare into a familiar hazel gaze. “You know, Silas, one of these days I’m going to get tired of coming to your rescue.”

I laugh—completely uncontrolled as I rush forward and embrace my cousin. “Bradyn, you have no idea how good it is to see you.”

“I have a pretty good idea,” he replies with a laugh. His gaze shifts past me. “Good to see you, too, Bianca.”

---