Jumping off the bed, I grabbed a glass and filled it from the pitcher of fresh water on the nightstand. He’d already closed his eyes again. I brushed his forehead lightly and he didn’t move.
“Thayde,” I said. His eyes flew open at the mention of his name and he struggled to sit up.
“No, don’t!” I said, but it was too late. Crying out in pain, he grabbed his ribs with his hands and fell back into the pillows. I set the glass down and rearranged the pillows for him. “Mom said several ribs on both sides are broken. You’ve also had damage to the muscles in your chest. I’m surprised you can even sit up.” I picked up the glass and held it in front of him. He took the glass from my hand and brought the rim to his lips.
“I feel like my jaw’s broken,” he said, and took a slight sip.
“It was,” I nodded, “but Mom fixed it. Your nose and cheekbone were too.” His hand started to shake and I took the glass from him. Looking down at the scarring on his arms, he shook his head.
“They sure did a number on me, didn’t they?”
I just stared at him. Wasn’t he furious? Didn’t he want revenge?
“What?”
“Why did you do it?” I asked, almost whispering.
“They would have come after you next. If I faced them willingly, they agreed to leave you alone.”
“Why would they come after me?”
“Because they don’t like you.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Akin’s accusing you of lying about the attack. That and the fact that I chose a Halfling have them very angry. They are out for blood.”
I sat down next to him and stared at my hands. “Life would be easier then, if we weren’t together.”
When he didn’t answer, I nodded.
“This is going to get really bad if we stay together. What if they try to kill you again and they’re successful? It’d be my fault.”
“They weren’t trying to kill me, Morgan.” He took my hand in his. “I took the punishment so they would leave you alone. You’re everything to me. Please don’t talk about us being apart.”
It’s the only possible way, I thought. What if the same thing that happened with Mom and Tammer happened with us? It was too horrible to even imagine. But facing the possibility of never seeing Thayde again made my heart want to rip in two.
“What are you thinking about?” Thayde brought me back to reality.
“Nothing.”
He shook his head. “You’re thinking something that’s hurting you. I can feel it.”
I didn’t want to hurt him. This whole cording thing had its setbacks.
“I’m sorry,” I said and he squeezed my hand lightly.
“Don’t be. It means we are meant to be with each other.”
Smiling faintly, his eyes grew heavy and I took the glass from his hand. He seemed exhausted from talking.
“I’ll let you sleep,” I said, starting to get up.
“Stay with me?” He asked.
“Of course,”
I stayed by Thayde’s side until I heard his breathing deepen and slow. Straightening the blanket around him, I lightly kissed him on the cheek and pulled away. I picked up my backpack, looking back at him before I left the room.
I was going to see Geiruna. Mom said she had great powers. Maybe she could help me. The taxi dropped me off at her shop and, nervously, I walked through the glass door. A little bell tinkled prettily as it closed behind me.
“Hello?” I called. The stuffed animals in the children’s section stared back at me as I scanned the room. “Geiruna?”
“This is a surprise.” Her ancient voice came to me from a back room.
I peered over the display cases to the doorway and watched her uncurl herself from within a deep chair.
“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”
“I wanted to talk to you,” I said.
“Indeed?” She shuffled toward me, stopping when she reached where I stood. The display case rocked slightly as she grasped the edges.
“Are you okay?” I asked, a little concerned she might fall. “Do you want to stay sitting?”
She looked me up and down.
“You’re not like the others, you know.” She bit her lip and motioned for me to follow her.
I walked around the cases and followed her into the back room. She sank back into her chair and I sat upon a stool. Around us, packing boxes lay open and paper was strewn about the place.
“Are you moving?” I asked.
“No, just getting ready to sell the place.”
“Really? Are you going somewhere?”
Geiruna cocked her head and stared at me. “I’m old. It’s my time.”