Page 144 of Stars on Fire

Selene felt an overwhelming urge to intercede on Kainan’s behalf, so she paused to find the right words.

‘Please, Dunia,’ Selene whispered. ‘Heal Kainan. Restore his body, renew his power. May you find it in your goodness to avert all pain and danger so that he may enjoy fulfilment and long life. That he may rise once more to lead with wisdom and compassion and prosper with happiness and strength.’

Kainan gave Selene a deep look of appreciation and love.

Time seemed to almost halt for a moment. Then the grotto’s surface began to stir, with little waves that lapped at his body. They began to form into small ripples that softly washed over his slightly submerged form.

A whisper echoed through the cave.

‘Do you believe now, Edenite?’

Kainan’s eyes searched Selene’s face for a long moment. ‘I believe,’ he rasped. On shore, the gathered group gaped in awe at the conversation and experience unfolding before them.

The whisper floated over the waters once more.‘You made the right decision, Edenite. Dunia’s forests and waters are overflowing with the remedy you need. Let go so that we may fully renew you.’

The rocking massage of his body increased.

It was lulling him to sleep. Still clutching Selene’s hand, Kainan closed his eyes and let his body relax into the waters.

Selene leaned over him and kissed his lips softly.

‘Sleep now, my love,’ Selene whispered. ‘Get well for us all.’

He slipped into unconsciousness, his head falling back.

The water covered his skull, slicking back the ragged strands that had remained since the vortex transformation. Yet the invisible, buoyant force kept his eyes and airways above the surface.

Silence fell once more in the grotto, and Selene lost all track of time. She stayed by his side, holding his hand.

The Riders stationed themselves throughout the cavern’s edge, sitting on rocks nearby. Mirage found a ledge high above the waters to settle on, a vantage point from where she could keep her eyes on herkhosiat all times.

Ki’Remi stood like an impenetrable and still sculpture beside Selene, his arms crossed over his chest as he monitored Kainan through his neural connection.

At one point, Selene noticed a small whirl of light under Kainan’s skin. ‘See?’ she whispered, pointing at Kainan’s upper arm. To where a series of burns had carved charred paths into his skin. Her eyes were fixed on a tiny subnormal coil of energy that transformed the badly burnt surface into a baby-smooth finish.

‘It must be working,’ she proclaimed, looking up at Ki’Remi expectantly.

He nodded with a grim expression.

On hearing the hopeful update, the other Riders stood to their feet.

‘How long will this take?’ Kage called out.

Ki’Remi shrugged his broad shoulders. ‘As long as it needs to,’ he replied in his sub-vox so everyone could hear.

‘Then we’ll stay here ‘til he wakes,’ Kage promised.

The Riders sunk back down to their perches, and Selene smiled at them through wet eyes. She felt uplifted by their united support. It reflected the true heart of these men and their most noble loyalty.

She squeezed Kainan’s hand. He needed to heal, not just for her, but for them.

Hours later, Kainan still floated in the darkened waters, deeply asleep.

Selene had just left his side. She sat on a rock at the water’s edge, wrapped in a robe her best friend had placed around her.

Rina now sat holding Selene’s hand. She’d offered the tired woman some food. Selene had mostly demurred, only nibbling on a cracker, her stomach still unable to handle any rich sustenance. All she could manage was a small sip of water as she welcomed the warmth of the soft kimono around her.

Sheba sat next to the pair, tabbing through a comm screen where Ki’Remi had patched a neural feed from Kainan’s vitals from his neural node.

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