Page 23 of Einar (The Brigands of Ruk #2)
Chapter Twenty-Three
EINAR
Looking down at her, I see that my mate, my precious Starshine , is awake, but her mind is far, far away. What horrors has she dealt with that she developed the ability to disassociate in such a manner? I have seen this before in beings that were no longer able to tolerate what life had done to them, so I can only imagine why she has this ability.
And none of the scenarios that my mind comes up with are good.
After Slavic took his fiery mate with him and left the med bay, I saw her beautiful, multicolored eyes lose their light as she realized her sister had been taken from the room. It is blatantly apparent that my little one is dependent upon her sister for stability, and without her sister’s comforting presence, she does not have the fortitude to remain in the here and now.
Her breathing is labored but nothing near what it was when I rescued her from the Velgriddix . Leaving her where she is for the moment, I lumber over to the cabinet full of vials and select one of the remaining containers of the corticosteroid I’ve been treating her lungs with. Considering how advanced the medicine I have access to is, this should be the last dose I have to give her before she is cured of the disease attacking her airways.
Moving back to her, I am glad to see that none of the events from earlier disturbed her fluid line. Picking up a syringe with a needle attached, I draw the solution from the vial and inject it into the port, waiting and watching as her breathing gradually slows and eases. Finally , the slight wheeze in her chest ceases, and I sigh in relief. One problem solved at least.
Stinging in my arm brings my attention to the wound inflicted by Slavic’s mate. It is still seeping blood, and I do not want to soil my mate’s cleanliness. Checking her once more, I see that there is no change and deem it safe enough to tend to myself. Reaching for my medical tray, I slide it closer to me as I lean against the bed parallel to my Starshine . Thankfully , my tray is still fully stocked since I worked to save both little humans lives.
Biting back a hiss, I clean the wound with a burning antiseptic. It is good the other female cut me with one of my medical knives. The edges of the wound are clean and will be easy to suture. Once I’m sure the cut is thoroughly clean, not that my medical tools aren’t always sterilized after each use, I grab the stitcher, and press it to the flayed edges, clicking the handle as I move down the gash until it is completely closed. Once finished, I give myself an injection of antibiotics and call it good.
Sliding the tray out of the way, I stand and step closer to my mate. She hasn’t moved the entire time I saw to her and myself. If not for the slow, steady breathing and blinking eyelids, I would think she was dead. The thought of her ceasing to live fills me with so much dread I cannot stop myself from scooping her up into my arms. Turning , I ease my considerable bulk onto the soft surface of the med bed. The joy of holding her cannot be described, even if she has not given me her permission to touch or embrace her. I never thought I would be blessed with a Starshine , and yet … here I sit with her safely ensconced in my arms.
Would it be better if she was cognizant and talking to me?
Yes , but I will not be ungrateful for what I was gifted.
I am a healer, am I not?
Perhaps the gods had a reason for what the Aynar did to me … The knowledge they ruthlessly forced into my brain, cycle after cycle. It was all for her. So that when she came to me, I would have what I needed to save not only her life, but the life of her beloved sibling.
Thinking back on all the pain and torture … it is worth it now. That is not something I ever thought I would feel about the time I endured with the cursed fairies, but here we are. Time slides by and I am not sure how long I sit, just basking in the company of my mate, the feeling of her tiny body pressed against mine. I begin speaking to her, my deep voice low and gentle as I comb my thick fingers through her dark red tresses.
“ I do not know if you can hear me wherever it is that you have hidden yourself, little Starshine . Just know that I would sooner slit my own throat than cause you any harm. I have waited for you my entire life. Please , give me a chance. That is all I ask for.”
My broken words elicit no response from her, as expected. She does not twitch, sigh, or even blink in acknowledgment to the sound of my voice. Sighing heavily, I stand, turn and gently lay her back down on the bed, situating her body in a comfortable position, her limbs as malleable as a toy figurine.
“ I still do not even know your name, little mate. Considering your sister’s apparent and extreme antipathy for me, I sincerely doubt that she will be willing to assist me in learning it.”
Another soft ping from my comm grabs my attention. Glancing at it, I see that Bikar has sent me yet another message. Ignoring it, just like the others he has sent recently, I begin checking my mate’s vital signs yet again. I cannot help it. I came so close to losing her that ensuring she still lives is almost a compulsion at this point in time.
Suddenly , I feel the Zenith jerk beneath my feet and all around me, signaling that the ship has either come to a complete halt … or we have docked at Navale . As far as I was aware, that was the plan, and I have no reason to think Slavic changed his mind.
Are we really at Navale so soon?
I no sooner have that thought when Bikar overrides the lock on the med bay door and strolls in.
“ Brother , I bring news and orders from our esteemed leader and oldest sibling!”
Bikar’s overly cheerful voice is grating in the peace and quiet of my med bay. I pray whatever female fate pairs him with has boundless limits of patience because I am the most easy going of all of us and I still want to beat him to a pulp more often than not.
“ You can tell Slavic that I am not going aboard Navale . I am staying here with my Starshine . She needs me.”
I am not sure what my face looks like, but Bikar’s normally exuberant face falls a bit at my words. “ I cannot imagine what you are feeling right now, Einar . But she is not the only one who needs you. Her needs are great, yes, but there are other females on this ship that require your medical expertise and our lifegiver would be disappointed in all of us if we did not do our utmost to help them the best we can. That being said, you are the best we can offer. You are the finest medic in the entire Void , bar none. However , Slavic’s exact words were, ‘ Let him know I will put his ass in a holding cell if he does not do his part. There will be no mercy given to anyone who will not protect ALL the females. He is not the only one being forced away from their Starshine .’”
Guilt fills me. He is correct.
I have been selfish, which is unlike me.
What do I do with you while I am gone, little one?
Nodding at Bikar , I go to the cabinet and snag a vial of sedative.
“ Einar , what is it that you do?”
“ My mate … she is not right.”
I catch his look of confusion before he asks.
“ I do not know what you mean…”
“ You have seen Slavic’s mate, yes? She is full of fire and spunk with a sharp tongue. Mine is nothing like that, no matter that they are full-blooded sisters. I cannot chance her waking up here alone without me, or more importantly, her sister.”
He observes me as I inject the sedative into her saline line, and we both watch as her eyes close as the drugs go to work.
“ I will tend to the other human females as soon as we complete our task at Navale . Since none of them have expired as of yet, I know none of their wounds are life threatening. Will that suffice?”
Bikar starts walking toward the door at my question. “ I do not see why not. Your words make sense. Slavic wants you to guard the ramp in case someone breaks through the outer hull locks. I am headed back to the control center; I need to keep track of everyone.”
Nodding my understanding, I head to my room and grab my axes. Buckling my belt around my thickness, I drop both my axes into the weapon frogs on either side of my waist. Walking through my room into the connecting med bay, I check on my mate once more, trailing my fingers through her beautiful red hair, before exiting the room and heading toward the ramp.