“Uncle Charles isn’t going to die. He already promised me.” The little boy who’d arrived with her uncle stepped forward, puffing out his chest as he made the declaration.
Alora gave him a teary smile. “I’m glad to know that. Your name is Markaeus, right?”
“Yes, and you’re Alora and that’s Kaevin. I met him in Laegenshire when he knocked me over, but that was when I was spying for Vindrake.” Markaeus wrinkled his nose like he smelled something awful. “He didn’t let my family go like he promised. He’s a bad man.”
“I’d have to agree with you about that.”
“Uncle Charles said you’re going to be my sister.”
Distracted from her heavy emotions, Alora chuckled. “Nice to meet you, Markaeus. I’ve always wanted a brother.”
Alora sent a silent question to Charles with arched brows. His shoulders went up as he mouthed, “It’s a long story.”
“I’m afraid we need to get you admitted to the hospital, Charles. You can come right back; there’s an empty bed in this room.” Dr. Sanders backed the wheelchair up, but Charles lifted his hand.
“Wait… before I go… I need to say something to Kaevin.”
Alora could feel how nervous Kaevin was as he stood to face Uncle Charles, wiping his hands on his pants. "Yes, sir?"
Charles extended his hand, and Kaevin returned the gesture. Their fingers blanched from the firmness of the mutual grip. “Thank you for keeping your promise,” said Charles in a trembling voice. “Thank you for bringing her back to me.”
Kaevin answered with a sharp nod. “I love her.”
“I know you do.”
Alora almost fell off the bed. With great effort, she closed her gaping mouth.
“You can continue this another time,” Dr. Sanders declared as he backed the wheelchair out of the room. Charles blew a kiss at Alora, smiling at her shock.
“May I come with you?” Markaeus pleaded with Charles.
“We’ll both go along, Markaeus. My name is Raelene.” She fell in step, placing her arm around the boy’s shoulder.
“I hope Alleraen awakens before Dr. Sanders returns to put Charles in that bed.” Jireo’s mouth twisted in a wry smile.
“I’m awake already.” Alleraen’s voice came from behind the curtain. Pushing the cloth aside, he emerged, his curly auburn hair askew. He took a few wobbly steps before Jireo moved to his side, straining to support Alleraen’s muscular frame as he shuffled to the nearest chair.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked you for all you did to save us from Vindrake.” Alora experimented with her gift, sending heartfelt appreciation to Alleraen.
“I appreciate your words, though I still don’t feel deserving. You couldn’t realize my grievous error, but I had an opportunity to kill my brother. Unfortunately, I allowed my desire for revenge to overcome my good judgment.”
“I believe you’ve more than compensated for any temporary lapse in wisdom,” said Kaevin. “Alora and I are both in your eternal debt.”
“We really are,” Alora agreed. “I know you risked your life to save mine. Is there anything I can do for you in return?”
>
“In all honesty, what I would love most is to be a part of a family… to be a true uncle.” Alleraen’s usual confident demeanor disappeared as he stared at his fingers in his lap.
“I’d love that.” Alora’s voice sounded small in her ears.
Looking up with a hope-filled expression, Alleraen’s nostrils flared. “I was afraid you wouldn’t wish to have me present as a constant reminder of your father.”
“My real father is Uncle Charles; I’ll never call Vindrake my father again.”
With her emotions spilling out, Alora felt spikes of pain. Reaching into the pail on the table, Kaevin snagged a piece of ice, which he slid into her hand. She gripped it, relieved to regain control of her gift.
“Having you as my niece and seeing how Drakeon tortured you gives me yet another reason to wish my brother dead. Some day, I’ll see it happen.” Alleraen’s jaw took on a determined set.