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ARIANNA TENDED to the slaves that were injured and told Zylah about her need to heal those within the infirmary tents. Zylah hesitated at first, wary, but eventually agreed. She had faced as much pain as the rest of them. To have her helping heal warriors that’d caused her harm was a lot to ask.
With the help of the slaves and those seeking her attention the tents no longer smelled of rotting flesh. The week-old bandages she’d seen piled up a few days ago had been removed and burned. She still had several critical to tend to, but as the afternoon wore on, injuries became less severe.
Despite everyone’s friendly demeanor toward her, Eoghan was in an uproar. He kept close. He’d only snarled once, and she’d quickly placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him. She didn’t want fights breaking out over her attention. Let them do as they pleased. Whatever helped them cope with the trials they’d endured.
Because despite the praise they offered, Arianna could see the hollowness in their gazes. She could see the grief written all over their bodies even as they marveled at the miracles she performed.
Arianna stood, wiping her hands on her clothes. She’d successfully separated the warriors now, creating enough room for the half-breeds to move in and out without stepping on or forgetting a patient. The rest would heal on their own.
She moved toward the exit when another group burst through the tent flap, two males carrying a female between them. She screamed, cursing at anything and anyone in front of her. Upon spotting Arianna, they all but ran to her and set the female on the ground.
Blood poured from a gash in her leg. Too much blood. Arianna put her hands over the wound without hesitation, searching for the severed artery. Her magic was slow to respond, crawling through her body like sludge, but she couldn’t let it waver now.
The female screamed again, and the males held her down, offering reassurance while Arianna worked.
Then it was done. No more blood. No more gash. The female looked at her smooth leg awestruck then began all but worshiping Arianna as others had done.
Arianna sat back on her heels, willing her heart to slow.
The sun began its descent in the sky. She’d wanted to leave after the female, but another patient appeared, this one sick with fever. Arianna healed them. Another with a deep gash from a sparring match. Arianna healed them too. More flooded through and though she wanted to help, Arianna instructed the half-breeds on proper care before taking her leave.
Crowds sat outside the infirmary tents. Some offered her food while others reached out to touch her clothes. Thankfully, Eoghan was there to usher them all away. She didn’t berate him this time. All she wanted was the comfort of her bed where she could drown in Rion’s scent and let her worries fade into pleasant dreams.
Arianna wiped the sweat from her brow, noting the way her hands shook. She’d never used her magic like this. Three days and the exhaustion of it all was finally catching up. The critical were taken care of, which should leave her with a day or two to rest. She swore she wasn’t going to leave that bed tomorrow.
Arianna tottered and gripped a tent post to right herself. She leaned against it, fighting the dizziness that threatened to send her to the ground. A strong, yet gentle grip steadied her elbow. She wished it’d been Rion, but Arianna turned to find Eoghan’s concerned face instead.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. “I just need rest. I think I pushed a little too hard today.”
“I’d venture to say you’ve pushed yourself too hard for a few days.”
She smiled. “Maybe, but it was worth it.” She’d never forget the smiling faces. The look of surprise when warrior after warrior realized they weren’t going to die. Arianna glanced toward the cabin in the distance. “When will he be back?”
“Tomorrow, I believe. There was a border issue he had to take care of. One of our lines was crossed.”
Oh. So he hadn’t enacted his plan. She’d assumed from the meeting that he’d gone to take control of the northern village.
“My offer still stands,” he began. “And from the looks of it, you’d have an entire escort to Móirín if you wished.”
“I’m not leaving him.” She said it far more aggressively than she’d meant.
Eoghan bowed his head in response. “Forgive me.”
Arianna rubbed her eyes with her palm. “I’m sorry, I’m just tired.”
“Shall we get you back to the cabin then?”
She exhaled and turned toward the setting sun. “I’d like to visit the river first. The water helps.” She wouldn’t rest now. With the new knowledge of Rion’s location her mind was racing with all the possible ways someone could hurt him. What if it was a trap laid by those who’d survived after the assassination attempt?
What if they succeeded this time?
Eoghan moved at her pace as they strolled through the trees. He offered his help when stepping over fallen logs and moved branches for her to pass beneath. Maybe she could have him as part of her court when she officially declared herself The Divine. She didn’t understand how everything worked, but if she was queen, she ought to have a say in who stood by her side.
But what would they think of Rion? Would they even permit him inside the royal halls? How far could she push the elders that resided in the royal city?
Arianna smelled the water long before she saw it. The crisp scent called to her magic, and she felt a fraction of her strength return. Arianna kicked off her shoes, sat at the edge of a log, and dipped her feet into the frigid liquid. She used what little magic she had left to heat it and took a deep breath to clear her mind.
