Page 47 of Shardless
“Oh?” Retrieving two more quilts from the end of the bed, he spread them over her and smoothed out the wrinkles.
“Aiden,” she said with a yawn. “I had a question about Aiden.”
“What about him?” Skye asked, perching on the edge of the bed beside her.
“Did you…?” Taly paused. Like everything else, the memory felt fuzzy and indistinct. “Did you pick him up and sling him over your shoulder when you were running from the harpy, or did I dream that?”
Skye went still for a moment. It started as a stutter, a choked bark that grew in intensity untilthe laughter erupted from his throat. For the first time since she’d woken up, the tension in his shoulders melted away, and she couldn’t help but join in, albeit weakly.
“He was moving too slow,” Skye insisted. “I really didn’t have any other choice.”
“Uh-huh,” Taly said tiredly, her eyes starting to droop as her giggles subsided. “I’m not sure I believe you. Are you sure that didn’t haveanythingto do with your little pissing match? Because I think you might have just won. Aiden will never live down being carried around like some damsel in distress.”
“Was there ever any question that I would win in the end?” Skye asked. Even if he still looked haggard and pale, he was starting to sound more like his old self again. When Taly didn’t say anything immediately, he reached over and gently flicked her on the nose. “That was your cue, Tink.”
Taly smiled and swatted his hand away as best she could. She didn’t miss the way his fingers trailed across her cheek, discreetly checking her temperature. “Of course not. No doubt whatsoever,” she replied with a sleepy chuckle. A flicker of silence and then, “That was the answer you wanted, right?”
Skye laughed again as he tucked the blanket tighter around her before gracelessly falling back into the chair beside the bed. Nothing else was said for a while, and eventually, Taly felt herself drifting off to sleep. She could still sense Skye nearby, and a small sigh passed her lips as she snuggled down further into the blanketed cocoon of warmth. For as long as she could remember, he had always been just across the hall, always within reach. She had forgotten just how much sheliked having him nearby.
It felt as though she had just nodded off when the sound of hushed whispering invaded her dreams. Feeling warm and lazy, she turned her face towards the noise, blearily opening her eyes.
Aiden and Skye stood over by her worktable, their backs turned.
“When was the last time you slept?” Aiden asked in a low voice, setting down a fresh bag of supplies on the already cluttered tabletop.
“I’m fine,” Skye insisted. He ran a hand through his hair. “Really.”
“Your general health aside, you’re no good to anyone if you deplete your aether,” Aiden replied, frowning. “Get some rest. Take a shower. Eat something. She’s in the next room, not the next town. If anything happens, you’ll be the first to know.”
Skye suppressed a yawn. “I know. And, I will. Now that she’s woken up, I’ll take a break. I promise. I’d just like to wait until you get a chance to examine her. She seemed lucid, but…” A shrug. “I’ll feel better once she’s awake and you’re able to talk to her.”
“I’m here,” Taly mumbled, her eyes squinting in the morning light. Someone had opened her curtains. “I’m up.”
Both Aiden and Skye turned at the sound of her voice.
“Well,” Aiden said as he crossed the room. He looked far more put-together than what she could recall from her hazy fever dream. Dressed in pinstriped slacks and a green damask waistcoat, the only trace of the obvious stress the healer had endured over the past week was written in the already fading bruises beneath his eyes. “Welcome back. Dare I ask how you’re feeling this morning?” He held a hand up to her forehead and then waveda glowing earth crystal over her body, revealing emerald web-like threads that crisscrossed her skin. Apparently, the earth mage saw something encouraging in the patterns, and he soon backed away with a nod of approval.
“Like I really hate harpies.” Grimacing, Taly wriggled as the ever-present pain started to come back into focus. She could still feel the sting of the harpy’s claws where the long gash across her shoulders had healed. “I mean,reallyhate them. In fact, I’ve decided to dedicate the rest of my life to ensuring the extinction of their species. It’s a noble cause, and I don’t think anybody will miss them.”
Aiden barked out a short laugh. “I’ll take that asbetter.”
“Is she going to be okay now?” Skye asked nervously, coming to stand beside the healer. In comparison to Aiden’s immaculate appearance, Skye looked rumpled and worn. His clothing was creased and stained after what must have been a harried trip to Litor and back, and there were lines around his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Stooping down, he rearranged the pillow underneath her head, and Taly rewarded him with a grateful sigh as she found a small amount of relief from the almost-constant discomfort.
“Her temperature still isn’t where I’d like it to be, but yes, I believe so,” Aiden replied, walking back over to the table set against the wall. Taly’s collection of mortal tech had all been cleared away, and an assortment of herbs, vials, and medical supplies now covered the oaken surface. “As long as the restoration spells have a steady supply of aether and she continues to take the draught, then I think she’ll make a full recovery.”
Aiden reached into his bag and pulled out a small packet of black powder. Pouring it into a cup of water, he began to stir absentmindedly. “Skye, I think you should go get some rest now. I can take things from here.”
“Yes, you’ve made your point. I’ll take a break,” Skye grumbled as he stepped across the room and began checking the bundles of fire crystals laid across Taly’s feet. Glancing up at her, he said, “By the way, Sarina’s headed into town this afternoon. She wanted to know if there’s anything you need from your room at the tavern.”
They think I’m here to stay,she realized, guilt welling up inside her.
Taly stared down at her hands, the image of the harpy flashing in front of her eyes. No matter how much she wished it could be different, there was no coming home for her now. Because nothing had changed. If anything, her reasons for distancing herself from her adoptive family had only multiplied, and it was even more imperative that she leave and never come back.
That left her with only one option.
“Aiden?” Taly tried to push herself up, only to fall back against the pillows when her arms refused to support her weight. “How long until I’m back on my feet?”
Aiden glanced at her over his shoulder. “You’ll be hurting for a while yet, but I’d say you’ll probably be getting back some mobility by tomorrow morning. Maybe tonight if I give you something a little stronger for the pain.”
