Page 70 of A Whisper of Cinders

Severe blood loss and trauma can cause amnesia. “Do you remember why you were in the woods?”

“I …” He pushes himself up to sit a little straighter. “I was on my way back from gathering a special sort of herb in the woods. All of a sudden, wood cracks behind me and not the small twitch of a twig. I slowly turned around, moving the herbs towards my back and grabbing my knife, but I was too slow, or the animal too fast. I don’t know.” A frown contorts his handsome features. “What I do know from that point on is pain. My leg was on fire and it couldn’t carry my weight. It attacked again, my abdomen this time, I tried to run away, but didn’t make it far. I fell or it pushed me down. The next moment you were there and the animal was thankfully gone.”

The story seems to be similar to what Aramis told me. “I’m happy to see you’re doing better and that I found you that day.”

“So am I, truly. You have my endless gratitude.”

He bows a little while saying that, and little drops of sweat land on his sheets.

“You can show me all the gratitude later. First focus on your recovery, alright?”

He gently eases back into the pillow and closes his eyes. I stand up to grab a cloth to dab away the sweat. I swipe it across his face and neck, ending on his forehead. His skin burns through the cloth, the fever burning higher again. I quickly search for something to bring his temperature down.

“That feels nice.”

He grabs my hand and pushes it against his burning skin, some of the tension disappearing. I go over the same motion for a couple of minutes until his breathing deepens and he’s sound asleep.

I grab the antipyretic and some painkillers. I don’t want to wake him so I leave them on his nightstand. I rewet the cloth once more and when my finger touches his skin, a warm burning sensation travels up my arm.

I leave his room and go help with the other patients that need my aid. The afternoon flies by so fast that when I finally look outside, I’m surprised to see that the sky changed colour and is getting ready to say goodbye to the daylight. Tiredness seeps into my bones as the adrenaline leaves me.

When I’m certain I’ve done all I could, I sit down in one of the chairs, stretching my neck and stiff shoulders, hearing a small pop and feel a little bit of relief that goes with it. Footsteps near me, and Althea’s tall figure moves closer. Although I’m certain I look like a mess, not a single hair on her head looks out of place, no stains to be seen on her blue robes. She looks impeccable as always.

“You look good for all the work you did. How are you feeling?”

“Tired…but in a good way.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that.” She gives me a gentle tap on the shoulder, a small shock running through my body from the point where she touched me. “If you still have some energy left, I’d like to show you something.”

Curiosity beats my tired body and I follow her to what I first assumed was a work of art. But it's actually a big arched opening with a tunnel in coloured glass, the play of light creates its own art on the tile floor. Plants climb their way up alongside narrow pillars, upholding the ceiling.

After about ten feet of walking in a rainbow, the hallway ends and we enter a big hexagon shaped room that is a dream woven from twilight and nature’s embrace. Elegant arches stretch skyward, their intricate stained-glass tracery let in the last shines of light.

I walk towards the edge, taking in the breathtaking view of distant snow-covered mountains and a glistening lake cradled between them. The horizon burns in hues of fire and amethyst, the sky an ever-shifting masterpiece of colour and light. “This feels like magic.”

“It might be,” she says with a wink. “People come here to relax, think about life, clear their head. You should try it some time.”

“I will.”

“You can come whenever you want or need to.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll go find Aramis now, do you have any idea where I might find him?”

She stares in the distance for a moment. “Try his room, it is one floor above yours, you’ll find him there.” Her eyes seem to glow when she looks back at me. “You have a talent for healing and caring for others. I meant what I said earlier. We can always use help here, if you’re up for it, please stop by.”

“Count me in.”

She smiles and wiggles her fingers at me. Some white lines on her hand catch my eye, maybe it’s residue of some type of ointment.

I leave the sanctum behind and head up to Aramis’ room. Never thought I would say this, but I really can’t wait to see him again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ipass the first floor and halt on the second one. It looks like an exact copy of my hallway and I wonder how I’m going to find his room when each door looks the same and I’ve never been there before.

I halt mid-step, am I really going to a man’s bedroom? At Anima, no male would ever let me into their room, but this is different. Aramis is different. Besides, I just want to bring back his sweater. That’s all. Yet the corners of my mouth tip upwards at the thought of seeing him.

Let’s hope I won’t have to knock on every single door to find him. That would be a little awkward. I take a deep breath and walk through the hallway.