Page 31 of Losing The Vampire King

“I’m dizzy,” he admits. “But I feel better than before.”

“That’s good,” I reply. “You’ll recover in no time. We just have to get you home.” I turn to the healer, thinking that she is still standing behind me, but she is nowhere to be seen, as if she’s disappeared into thin air. I look around, but she’s gone. She couldn’t have vanished, could she?

“She’s gone,” I say, incredulous.

“Seems so,” Eddie agrees.

“I wanted to thank her,” I say, still shocked.

“I’m sure she knows you’re grateful for what she’s done,” Eddie reminds me.

“Yes, but…” I keep looking around, half-expecting her to appear from a corner, but it’s just the three of us there. I sigh, realizing that she probably left not wanting to deal with us anymore. I have to respect that.

Kano and I help Eddie out of the hut. It’s a bright sunny day, almost a little too bright.

We help Eddie onto the horse, and I’m happy to see that he can actually sit on it this time, instead of lying sprawled on it, half-unconscious. Kano takes the reign, and we slowly head back to town. From what I can remember, it should take us around two hours.

During this time, I mostly listen to Kano update Eddie on what’s been going on in his absence.

“You did good, both of you,” Eddie tells us. “Not telling the rest of the clan that I’m missing. It would only breed panic.”

“That’s what Bianca suggested,” Kano replies. “She arranged everything perfectly and kept control of everyone.”

Eddie gives me a mischievous look, one of those I missed more than anything else.

“I knew I chose the right vampire queen for myself,” he says, winking at me, and I can’t help but chuckle.

Kano continues talking, just reminiscing about the good old days. I know why he’s doing it. He wants to help Eddie remember everything. I also have a plan of helping him remember, but I’ll keep that for when it’s just the two of us.

The two hours pass quickly enough, and we finally see the outlines of our home town. We stop for a moment. Eddie gazes at it, as if it’s the most beautiful sight he’s ever beheld.

“Feels good to be home, guys,” he says, not taking his eyes off of the houses in the distance.

“I know someone who will be very happy to see you,” I tell him.

Our eyes lock. For a moment, I can see a single tear glistening in there. Eddie usually isn’t the kind to show his emotions, especially not in such a way. But we’ve survived so much. We went to hell and back. It’s impossible not to become emotional after such an ordeal.

We continue down the path, and within the next fifteen minutes, we stop in front of our house. Kano helps him down from the horse.

“If you feel well enough to go in on your own, I’ll leave you two here,” Kano tells us respectfully.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

He smiles, nodding. “This is a family moment.”

“But you are family as well,” I remind him. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I know, but still,” he assures me, patting Eddie’s shoulder cordially. “It’s good to have you back, brother. Don’t you ever scare us like that again, you hear?”

Eddie chuckles, returning the friendly squeeze. “I’ll try.”

Kano turns around and takes his horse back home, leaving us in front of ours. I take Eddie by the hand, interlocking our fingers. I want to keep touching him all the time, just to keep convincing myself that he is really here, that he didn’t get lost in that memory limbo the healer warned me about.

“He is a strong one,” she told me, making sure that these words are meant for my ears alone. “And he loves you more than anything. He came back for you. Never forget that.”

I made a promise right then and there to never forget that. Not that I would need a reminder for that.

“Are you ready?” I ask him.

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