Page 53 of Twist of Fate

Luke forced himself to remain still.

The healer shifted her hands. Another crack followed, quieter than the first. The lines of light smoothed and spread until they flowed evenly along both of Gomez’s legs.

His grip on Luke eased.

“Oh,” Gomez whispered.

“What?”

“The pain stopped.”

The last of the magic sank beneath his skin. The healer kept her hands in place for several breaths before lifting them away.

“It is done.”

Luke studied Gomez’s legs. The swelling had receded, and most of the bruising had faded, leaving only faint discoloration behind.

“Define done,” he said.

“The fractures have been repaired. His bones are whole.”

Gomez cautiously moved one foot. When nothing happened, he wiggled his toes.

“I have toes again.”

“You always had toes,” Luke said.

“I couldn’t see them. They were theoretical toes.”

Avaneel crawled closer to inspect them. “They are very small.”

“They’re proportional.”

She appeared unconvinced.

Luke turned to the healer. “Can he walk?”

“Not yet. The bones are whole, but his muscles have weakened, and his body has endured a large amount of unfamiliar magic. He will require rest before he attempts to stand.”

“How much rest?”

“That depends on how his body responds. Perhaps a day. Perhaps several.”

Gomez fell back against the pillows. “I vote for a day.”

“You do not control the speed of your recovery,” the healer said.

“You’d be surprised what I can accomplish through stubbornness.”

“No,” Luke said. “She wouldn’t.”

One of the pixies darted forward and pulled the blanket over Gomez’s bare legs. The others took that as permission to approach. Within seconds, they hovered around the bed in a sparkling cloud, asking whether he needed water, pillows, flowers, food, or someone to sing.

Gomez looked delighted.

“I would like snacks.”

Half the pixies vanished.