"Let me bring him around so you can look in his eyes and know that he's really all right. "
"You read minds?"
The physician's eyes were ancient as they lifted. "Nope. Have just had a lot of experience with families and friends. You're going to need to see the eyes before you take a deep breath. And he's going to feel the same way when he looks up into your face. "
John regained consciousness about eight minutes later. Xhex timed it, checking the wall clock.
As his lids rose, she was right next to his head and holding his hand. "Hey. . . you're back. "
He was groggy, which was to be expected. But that bright blue stare was exactly as it had always been, and the way he squeezed her hand left nothing in doubt--he was back with a vengeance.
The breath Xhex hadn't been aware of holding slowly eased out of her lungs, a singing relief elevating her mood sure as if her heart had been put on a rocket to the moon. And Doc Jane had been right about staying. As soon as Xhex got involved listening and seeing and learning, the panic receded until it was just a quiet hum that she could control. And it was fascinating, the way the body was put together.
Okay? John mouthed.
"Yup, Doc Jane got the bullet out just fine--"
John shook his head. You? Okay?
God. . . damn, she thought. He was such a male of worth.
"Yeah," she said roughly. "Yeah, I am. . . and thanks for asking. "
Staring down at him, she realized that she hadn't allowed herself to think too much about how she'd saved his life.
Man, she'd always known she was good with a blade. But she'd never thought that skill would matter as much as it had during that split second in that nasty-ass farmhouse.
A blink of an eye later and. . . no John. For anyone, anymore.
Ever.
The mere thought of that made her panic come back full force, her palms getting sweaty, her heart not so much beating as flipping out in her chest. She knew they were going their separate ways after all this was over. . . but that didn't seem to matter in the slightest when she considered a world in which he didn't breathe or laugh or fight or do the sort of kindnesses he shared with all around him.
What, he mouthed.
She shook her head. "It's nothing. "
Yeah, what a lie that was. It was everything.
Chapter Fifty-nine
They used the carriage that had been left by the stables to transport the female back to her family's home. Tohrment took the reins up front and Darius stayed in the cabin with the female, wishing there was some comfort to give her and knowing there was little to offer. The trip was long and the thundering hooves up in front and the creaking of the seat and the clanging of tack were very loud and precluded much discussion.
Although Darius knew well that even if their mode of transport had been whisper quiet and still as water in a goblet, their precious cargo would have uttered nothing. She had refused drink and sustenance, and did naught but focus on the landscape as they sped through farmland and village and forest.
As they proceeded in a southerly direction, it occurred to him that the symphath must have chained her mind in some way following her initial capture, assuming this carriage was the manner in which the pair had gone up to that stone manse--otherwise she would have been at risk for dematerializing free from the rushing confines.
Tragically, such an egress was not a worry now because she was so weak--although he had to wonder. Given her expression of painful forbearance, he had the distinct impression that she felt imprisoned even though she had regained her freedom.
The temptation had been to send Tohrment ahead to tell her mother and father the good news that she'd been rescued, but Darius held back. A lot could happen during the trip and he needed Tohrment to drive the horses whilst he minded the female. Given the threats from humans and lessers and symphaths , both he and Tohr had their weapons out, and still, he wished he had more backup. If only there was a way to get in touch with the other Brothers and call them forth. . . .
It was just on the verge of dawn when the exhausted horse pulled them into the village that came afore the female's home.
As if recognizing where they were, she lifted her head and her lips moved, her eyes growing wide and tearful.
Leaning forward and holding out his palms, Darius said, "Be of ease. . . it shall be--"
As her eyes shifted to his, he saw the scream she held within her soul. It shall not be , she mouthed.