AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We sealed her leg just above the knee, regrowing the skin and burning out the infection that had already crept its way into her blood. As we worked, I sank so deeply into the healing that I didn’t realize how tired I was until I finally pulled free. I had been so determined to redeem myself that I had freely poured in my strength, fighting against Josie’s natural resistance. Only once I felt Amara’s hand on my shoulder did I realize I was swaying, barely left with the energy to stand.
“It’s time to rest,” she said again. “Josie is healed.”
I gazed down at the girl, who looked so painfully small beneath the light blanket covering her. Her face was peaceful in sleep, but how would it look when she awoke and discovered what we’d done? I had helped save her life, but I wouldn’t be the one to guide her through all the grief and adjustments to come. It felt like I was walking out on the hardest part of the journey.
“Do you ever feel bad?” I asked Amara. “Changing someone’s life and then just walking away? Adjusting to change isn’t easy.”
Amara put her arm fully around my shoulders, helping to support my weight.
“Sometimes I do,” she admitted. “Sometimes I feel a pull to stay somewhere just a little longer and a little longer again. But if I did that, those would be the only people I ever helped. There are certain things I can do that most others can’t, so I have to use those skills in a strategic way. I can’t do everything for everyone.”
I shivered, hearing the echo of Nik’s words in hers. I couldn’t deny their truth, but they still hurt. I didn’t want to face the reality of situations my healing power couldn’t fix.
“You did well,” Amara said softly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you earlier to help you process your emotions. I should have been there for you, but if we’d both left…But you obviously did well on your own.”
I shook my head. “I had the help I needed.” She looked at me oddly, but I pushed on. “I’m sorry, Amara. My reaction was childish and inappropriate, and my accusations were untrue. I let my response to Josie’s situation become tangled up in my feelings about my father when it was never the same issue. Please forgive me.”
“Of course.” She pressed her cheek against the top of my head, the uncharacteristic motherly gesture making tears leak from my eyes and down my cheeks. “You were already forgiven. In the first few months of your apprenticeship, you’ve been put into far more stressful situations than most Guild apprentices see in their whole two years. And you’re still dealing with deep hurt from what happened with your father. The wounds we received from our parents are hard enough to process at thirty-five, let alone eighteen. I don’t expect you to be perfect, Delphine.” She shifted me slightly so she could look me in the face, her eyes grave. “But you will need to apologize to more than me.”
“Of course!” I looked around, but Esme had already disappeared. “Did Esme go to get the parents? I could talk to them all now…”
Amara shook her head. “First you need to sleep. Everyone will be here in the morning.”
I wanted to protest, but one look at the dark night sky told me she was right. I let her lead me to one of the nearby houses, too exhausted to take note of its features. Someone had prepared beds for us, and I sank into the clean sheets, merely grateful for a soft pillow and proper mattress.
When I finally woke again, I was more aware of my surroundings, but there was nothing to distinguish the neat home from any other village dwelling. Neither was there anyone else present. Food had been left out on the table, however, and I wolfed it down ravenously. Only once I’d filled my belly did I grow alert enough to realize why I was alone—I’d slept away half the day.
I washed my face even more quickly than I’d eaten and hurried outside. I expected to have to search the village for Amara, but the house sat only one street from the central square. Like the day before, it was filled with people, although the atmosphere was very different.
I hurried into the crowd, noting that all evidence of the previous day had disappeared. Even the cobblestones had been cleaned by some compassionate hand, and the mood was one of good cheer.
In the center of the group, sitting on the edge of the fountain, was Josie. She was perched on a cushion, a plate full of fruit beside her, and a smile on her face.
I stopped, staring at her in confusion, and Amara appeared at my side.
“The whole village is feting her today,” she murmured quietly. “So there’s little room for grief or sadness. Although that will come, I’m sure. But clearly she has people to support her, and that will make a difference. She’ll have sorrow, but she can still have moments of happiness as well—just as we all do.”
“Today the village wants to remind her that her loss doesn’t have to define her or steal her future,” Esme said from my other side, having approached close enough to hear Amara’s words. “The hardest part will come once the attention and sympathy dies down. But Josie’s a strong lass, and I have no doubt she’ll find her way through it.”
I nodded, wondering uncomfortably if I had that same strength. I hadn’t shown it the day before, but I wanted to in the future.
“Thank you, Apprentice Delphine,” Esme said suddenly, filling me with fresh embarrassment. “I’m well aware I couldn’t have managed yesterday without your fortunate arrival.”
I shook my head rapidly. “Please don’t thank me! I’m more than aware I owe you an apology instead. I acted as if you wanted to do something terrible when you were only doing your duty as a healer. I let my own history and issues overcome me. Please don’t count my disgraceful behavior against my master. She’s trained me better. I was the one to fail.”
Unsure what else to do, I gave a respectful bow.
“Goodness, all of this isn’t necessary, child.” She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You don’t spend a lifetime as a healer without learning that some wounds can’t be seen by the eye or felt by our power. What matters is that you came back, and you did what needed to be done. You were an excellent student, in fact. I didn’t expect it to be so easy to guide you, given how new you are.” She hesitated, as if she’d intended to say something more but thought better of it.
“And given how strong she is?” Amara asked in an amused tone.
The healer gave a reluctant chuckle. “Aye, that’s right.”
“What do you mean?” I looked back and forth between them. “Surely my strength made it easier. And as for following healing instructions, Master Hayes has me well trained by now.” I grinned at the woman, confident that even a country healer would know Hayes’s name.
“Ah, that explains it!” The woman smiled. “He was never one to stand for any nonsense.”
“I am not one to favor nonsense either,” Amara said, clearly still amused. “Plus Delphine has never even been to the Guild.”
