Page 125 of Alora: The Portal (Alora 2)

The room narrowed and Alleraen’s face blurred. Darkness overcame her.

Pain speared into Kaevin’s consciousness as the ice slipped from Alora’s fingers. He squelched a grimace, keeping his tone light. “She’s asleep again.”

“How do you endure the pain?” asked Jireo, wincing. “Even I can feel it since she began to use her empathy. When she sleeps, she pushes it away from her to all in her vicinity. Perhaps you might distance yourself during her sleep periods so you can rest.”

“Distance is no boon for me; she sends to me regardless of my location. But I can assure you, what I now feel is barely noticeable compared to the agony we shared before.”

“Still, you could find a place to stretch out rather than sleeping in that chair,” Alleraen suggested.

“She’s so frightened when she awakens to the pain, before she blocks it with her gift. I don’t wish her to face it alone. I fear she might accidentally transport somewhere without me.” Tightening his grip on her fingers, Kaevin rearranged his chair and fluffed a pillow to support his head.

“Then we’ll see you on the morrow.” Jireo patted Kaevin’s shoulder before helping Alleraen to the door.

“Though I’m thrilled Alora has accepted me as family, I’m afraid I’ve no desire to continue sharing in her pain,” Alleraen admitted.

Pausing at the doorway with one corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile, Jireo offered Kaevin a parting thought. “Perhaps you’ll be encouraged to know my defender bond is no longer sending vague warnings of your impending death.”

Kaevin grinned. “I suppose this will become our new farewell mantra… I believe you’ll remain alive until I see you again.”

*****

Alora accepted Kaevin’s help mounting Willow, though it irked her to be so dependent.

“I know you could manage without my assistance, but Dr. Sanders stressed how careful we must be with your arms. You don’t wish to return to the healing house, do you?”

“Of course I don’t.” A bit of petulance crept into her voice. “Though I think you’ve been in Montana long enough to call it a hospital.”

“What-ev-er.” Kaevin laughed, his good spirits rubbing off on her. “I’m simply glad you got to have a celebration for your birthingday, even though you were in the hospital.”

“I can’t believe Beth pulled off a surprise party. She even snuck Wesley and Daegreth in there. It would never have worked if I’d had any idea it was my birthday, but I’d totally forgotten about it.”

“There seems to be little Beth can’t accomplish if she truly desires it. I believe she would’ve been quite gifted if she’d been born in Tenavae.”

“Speaking of gifts… have you noticed you can’t feel my emotions today? I think I’ve finally got this empathy thing down pat. I don’t even have to touch water, wood, or stone with my hands anymore.”

She was surprised to see his smile droop. “Truly, I’m happy you’ve learned to utilize the elements and master your gift. But…”

“But what?”

“Though I must admit it was often overwhelming, I rather enjoyed sharing all your emotions. It seems unfair you should always know mine when I can’t likewise know yours.”

“Aren’t you glad I’m not projecting my pain anymore?”

“I am. Yet I’d rather feel your pain than be shut out of your heart. The assurance of your love is worth any agony I must endure.”

“You don’t need my gift to know I love you. I tell you every day, now.”

“It’s not the same as feeling it.” He pushed his lower lip out in a playful pout as he mounted River, drawing his mare alongside hers.

She couldn’t resist his pleading eyes. “Okay.” Careful to keep her pain locked away, she unsealed the channel to her emotions. As always, she had lots of them, all at once. Using her newly-developed skill, she concentrated only on her love for Kaevin, obstructing all the others.

She let it flow to him.

His eyes closed, and his mouth went slack. He let out a little moan of bliss. “For a taste of that each day, I’ll endure any pain that comes my way.”

“Ha! You’re such a hopeless romantic. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t want you to change.” Alora opened herself to Kaevin’s emotions. His love poured out like a waterfall, and she drank it in until it settled in her tummy, warm and glowing.

“Can I kiss you?” He leaned as far as possible, twisting his face toward hers.