Page 48 of Smoke and Flame

She appreciated his quiet strength as she tried not to let all her worries and doubts about her sister creep in.Kai lifted a hand, caressed Morlie’s forehead, and pushed back the unkempt strands from around her face.Over the years, Kai had become used to the dry, cracked, and brittle texture of her sister’s skin.Morlie’s body had fought through sickness.She expected that.

Kai snatched her hand back in surprise.Accustomed to the papery feel of death, first with her parents, then with Morlie.But this...

“How—?”

As if understanding her shock, he responded, “It is thedeatch glan heyl.The pure smoke heals everything.”

“Oh.”Kai touched her again, laying a hand on her cheek, prepared this time for the difference.“Morlie, open your eyes.Please,” she pleaded.

One blink, two blinks, Morlie’s chest rose high as she inhaled, and then her eyes greeted Kai.When Morlie exhaled, a small burst of smoke came out of her mouth as she spoke.“Sissy?”

“Yes.I’m here.”Kai was concerned about the smoke, but not more than she was excited to see her same gold-brown eyes reflected at her.She leaned over her, cupped her hands around her sister’s, and squeezed.“How do you feel?”

Morlie’s lids slid closed again.“Where am I?”This time, only a wisp of smoke came out.

“You’re safe.And getting better.That’s all that matters right now.”Kai wasn’t sure how she would explain all that had transpired to her sister while Morlie was ill.Hell, Kai barely started comprehending it herself over the last few days.And still, she had a pile of unanswered questions.Kai glanced over her shoulder at the large man standing toward the foot of the bed, assessing their interaction.“Why does smoke keep coming out?Is it going to be a problem?”

She thought about what she knew of smoke inhalation and how dangerous it could be.She worried that Morlie may be better now, but in the long term, her sister may develop black lung disease or emphysema.

Intense opal eyes shifted directly on her.“It is fine.Part of how she was healed but will go away.”

“Kai?I’m tired—” Morlie’s yawn was big, cutting off her words.

If any more smoke came out, she couldn’t see it.That gave her some relief.

“It’s okay.Your body needs the rest.”She stroked her sister’s hair.

“It is not rest that she needs from the illness.But, normal sleep, now,” Aodh declared.

“Then can she do it someplace other than here?”Kai didn’t have much experience with medical facilities, and there weren’t any in the Dispatch.There were doctors in the district who made house calls.The only time she’d been to the medical clinic on the outskirts of Consumer Providence was to try and get help for Morlie.She saw where that got her.Still staying in this chamber now that Morlie had awakened sent cold chills over her skin.

“It’s possible.I’ve already set that up.”

Shocked, Kai straightened and looked at him.“You did?”

“I am the Mckenna.It is my job to anticipate the needs of my people.”

“But we aren’t your people.”Her heart thumped hard in her chest.Kai lifted her chin, metaphorically patting that wall in place.

Aodh’s brow arched, and he held her gaze for a long moment.

Apprehensive, she expected him to argue with her about his supposed claim on her.But if Aodh did, she had her rebuttal thought, practiced, and prepared to toss it at him.

Instead, his only comment was, “You all are under my protection.”

She gave a short nod.Okay, maybe this Dragon King understood where they stood.“When can we go to this place you prepared?”

“Now.”Aodh strutted along the other side of the bed, then scooped Morlie up with ease.Similar to the way he’d done when he’d removed Morlie from the truck.“Follow me.”

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