Page 108 of Spirit Trials
You can heal like Shade?I don’t know why it surprises me, but it does.
What? Did you think only the males could?
I don’t react to her snark. With the mood she’s in, she could decide to stop; and that would literally make me cry. Because for the first time in maybe hours, I finally am getting the tiniest bit of relief from the pulsing pain. I find myself starting to drift off. I must move or something because Rysden grips my hand. “Just rest, Love.” The endearment flows over me, but before I can dwell on it like I want to, the world around me fades away as blessed sleep finally takes over.
Chapter 55
It takes me a few days to get back on my feet, even with the healing from Solace and the healer Rysden brought to the castle. Because Solace did so much extensive healing, she really knocked me out for a few days. But today, my mind finally feels clear; and my body is blessedly pain free. I stand to my feet and stretch before I make Rysden’s bed. I’m not really sure where he’s been sleeping. He could have been sleeping with me each night, for all I know. I’ve been really out of it. The one plus is after that much sedation from Solace, not only do I feel completely healed, I feel alert and strong mentally.
After a hot bath, I change into a soft green long sleeved tunic, dark pants, and warm, thick socks. After I run a comb through my curls, I leave them down to dry as I make my way downstairs. It’s about mid-morning, and I’m starving. I don’t really remember eating over the past few days. I only get about halfway down the stairs when I smell something aromatic. I grin and bound down the rest of the stairs, more than eager to feast on something amazing. “Okay, I don't know who’s cooking but that smells—” my words fall off sharply, and I come to a complete stop and stare. I close my eyes and open them again, certain my eyes are betraying me. “Mom?”
My mom pushes her chair back and slowly stands to her feet. “Hi, Farrah.”
My eyes jump to my brother beside her. He grins at me and waves his hand, holding a chunk of bread, before he takes another big bite of food from his bowl. I can’t process my thoughts. “How are you here? What? How...”
Jamik walks into the room carrying a bowl of stew. “Hector and Jamik brought us here,” Zeph tells me around his bite of bread.
I stare at Jamik. “Hey, Farrah.”
“You went and got them and brought them here?” I question. When he nods, I demand, “Why?”
I look around the room almost wildly.What’s the play here? Are they going to—
“I sent them.”
I spin around and meet Rysden’s eyes. “You sent them?” I repeat his words back to him. He only nods. “Why?”
“It was time.”
His words make no sense, and yet...my mom and brother are here! Safe in Rysden’s castle. Suddenly, it’s all too much. Emotion floods me; so much emotion. It’s too much, too fast; and I crumble under the weight of it. A sob rips out of my chest, and I fear I’m going to get carried away in all the emotion. It’s too heavy for me. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, and I’m pulled against a firm chest. Rysden doesn't say a word; he just holds me. I think I hear voices, but I can’t make sense of any of it. Rysden holds me as every feeling I’ve felt since the moment the Guivre attacked our village until now flows out of me. The fear, the pain, the loss, the grief...all of it just comes out. Some part of me isn’t really surprised; I’ve been stuffing down a lot of emotion. It was bound to come pouring out at some point. When it feels like I can’t cry any more, the storm inside me finally seems to settle. Eventually, I stop crying all together. Rysden never lets go of me; he’s my anchor in the midst of my emotional mess. When the emotion is gone, I lean my head against Rysden’s chest, not wanting to move just yet.
“Are you okay?” he asks softly.
I nod. “I’m sorry; I just—”
“Don’t you dare apologize.”
It’s quiet between us a moment. I finally tip my head back, so I can see those gorgeous dark eyes. “Did you really send Jamik and Hector to get my mother and brother?” He nods. “Why?” I repeat my earlier question.
He shrugs. “They’re your family. You won the trials; it was time.”
“But I thought you said they would be killed as soon as they came into the city.” He gives me a smile, but it’s full of mystery. I can’t figure it out. “What?”
“Jamik told the guards at the walls that they were Lady Mercy’s mother and brother. They let them right in.” My eyes widen. He tweaks my nose gently. “I told you, you were famous.”
“Not to all the guards,” I mutter. His expression changes, and I wish I hadn’t said anything.
“The guards that laid hands on you are dead, Farrah. They will never hurt you again.” The way he says it, I know they didn’t die easy deaths. But I don’t ask; I’ve learned my lesson with asking questions I don’t really want answers to.
“Farrah?” My mom’s soft voice pulls my attention away. I turn to face her, and Rysden stands beside me but keeps a hand on my waist.
“Hi, Mom.” I can’t help the smile that fills my face as I step forward and take her in my arms. She’s sturdier than I remember her being. I feel everything shift once again, and everything feels right in my world, at least in this moment.
She pulls back and brushes a hand over my cheek and stares into my eyes with eyes that seem clearer than I’ve seen in a long time. “I’m so proud of you, and I see you. I’m sorry it took me so long.” I close my eyes and will my tears not to come.
“It’s okay, Mom. You were grieving.”
“But I shouldn’t have fallen apart like I did.” She bites her lip, and I watch as her eyes fill with tears. “You had to grow up so fast; I was such a burden to you after your father died.”
