“Wait, Markaeus. Come back and talk to me. Just for a minute.”
Markaeus stopped. His shoulders twitched. Pivoting, he moved back to Charles with his chin tucked down.
“Markaeus?”
“Mmm…” He kept his eyes glued to the floor, but Charles could see tears shining on his cheeks.
“I wondered if you might want to come live with me. Now it’s a big decision. I live in a different world, and I totally understand if you want to stay here in Laegenshire. It’s not like we’d never come back here at all—”
Markaeus surged against him, practically climbing on the bed in an effort to hug his neck. “Yes. Please take me with you. I promise I won’t cause any trouble.”
Folding his arms around the trembling boy, Charles released a chuckle. “I seriously doubt that’s true, but I’m willing to risk it. Are you sure you don’t need time to think about it?”
“No, I’ll go anywhere with you.”
“And how would you feel about having a sister?”
“A sister?” Markaeus lifted his head, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
“Yes, you’d have a sister of sorts. Remember Alora? The girl we talked about—the one we came to rescue from Vindrake?”
“Stone Clan’s bearer? The one who’s soulmates with Kaevin? She’d be my sister?”
“That’s the one. Do you think that would be okay?”
Markaeus’ mouth turned up at the corners in the first semblance of a smile Charles had seen on his face since before Haegen’s death. “I suppose so… if I must have a sister.”
*****
“I feel fine now. Better than fine… I feel great.” Alora pouted at her continued confinement to the hospital bed.
“Though I’m thrilled you’ve become accomplished at masking your pain, rather than sharing it, your body is still damaged from the burns. You need to rest and recover.”
Irritation seethed in Alora’s mind at Raelene’s words, though they were meant to be soothing. Via her newly recognized gift, Alora recognized the emotion behind her grandmother’s speech… condescension. All the adults in Alora’s life, as well as a number of her peers, seemed to have an opinion about her every move.
“I’m afraid Raelene is correct, Alora,” Dr. Sanders said. “It’s amazing you don’t seem to feel any pain, but the lab results don’t lie. The antibiotics are only now bringing the sepsis under control, and your kidneys have almost quit functioning. We’re using hemodialysis, hopefully on a temporary basis, until your kidneys start working correctly. To be honest, I don’t understand why you’re not unconscious right now.” Dr. Sanders frowned as he reviewed her test results on the computer.
“The only reason she’s awake now is because Alleraen donated an extra measure of strength about ten minutes ago.” Kaevin sat at her bedside, where he’d stayed day and night since their arrival.
Despite his fatigue-sunken eyes, he smiled, and Alora’s frustration slipped away like a wisp of smoke in a heavy breeze. Taking full advantage of her gift, he radiated selfless love and concern. The emotions overwhelmed her, making it impossible to nurse her petty annoyance. She smiled back, her exasperation gone.
“Alleraen?” Dr. Sanders looked up. “The Laegenshire man who was half-dead when Brian Franks brought him to the hospital, after we all flew here Star-Trek style? Is he back in the emergency room now?” Dr. Sanders cringed as he awaited the answer, the dark circles under his eyes speaking of his exhaustion and anxiety almost as loudly as Alora’s empathy.
“No, Alleraen and I are being very judicious with our strength, allowing enough time to recover between endowments,” Raelene said. “Alleraen is resting, but his life isn’t in danger. Actually, he’s sleeping in there.”
Raelene pointed to the flimsy curtain dividing the hospital room into two separate areas, then addressed Alora. “But be warned, this spurt of energy you now feel will be short-lived. I predict
you’ll be asleep again in four fingers.”
“I’m sorry. I promise to rest and recover without complaining again. You can expect complete obedience and compliance from this point forward.” Alora made the declaration, hoping her verbal promise would help her carry through in her actions.
Kaevin snorted behind his hand.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Only that complete obedience and compliance seem to be a bit at odds with your personality.” Fortunately for Kaevin, his all-embracing adoration was obvious despite his teasing words.
She stuck out her tongue, and he laughed, flashing his dimples. She was alive, pain-free, and loved. She had everything to be grateful for, and nothing to be angry about. Soon I’m going to see Uncle Charles. Life is good.