Page 30 of Tino

Not bothering questioning her orders, I left the bedroom. Silver still sat on the floor, but this time it was on Wilston’s lap. “Grethe needs you two in the bedroom,” I said with a tentative smile. Silver had been through a lot, but I knew they would do everything to help.

“Now those are words I never thought I’d hear,” Silver laughed to himself as he stood, then offered a hand to help Wilston up too.

I shook my head, smiling as I led them to the bedroom.

Grethe was in full healer mode, no time to waste as she ushered us closer. “He needs some of your magic, think a tennis ball sized amount,” she informed us, like that made any kind of sense.

“A tennis ball?” Silver questioned.

“Yes. Makes it easier to visualize how much you’re giving him.” Grethe kneeled next to Tair’s side and placed her hand on his chest, then a light green colored light flew from her hand to his chest.

“Wow,” Wilston whispered, his eyes wide and awe-filled.

“Now you.” Grethe stepped aside and pushed me towards my soulmatch. He was still completely out of it, so I hoped my magic would be enough to wake him. I kneeled and placed my hand on his chest, mirroring what Grethe had done, then allowed the imagination of my magic at the size of a tennis ball to transfer to him. It felt odd and I knew it made no sense, but it was almost like peeing. I felt magic leave my body, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I just felt something leave me.

Tair’s fingers twitched on the hand of his good arm, but otherwise nothing else happened. “Can I offer more? Would that help?”

Grethe shook her head. “You all need some magic just in case the worst happens. If you’re all down we’re doomed. This amount is what you gain in a day. It will have to be enough.”

I reluctantly agreed and left his side to allow Silver to help him next. When both Wilston and Silver had given him some of their magic, his lashes fluttered, though his eyes remained closed.

Grethe sighed. “He needs rest and when he wakes, food. Lots and lots of it.” She left without another word, leaving the rest of us in the bedroom.

“Doyou need anything?” Silver asked, rubbing a comforting hand on my arm.

I shook my head and gave them both a soft smile. “I’m good. Sorry for disturbing you today.” I didn’t want to mention his grandma, but still needed to show that I appreciated he’d helped out, even when he was breaking inside from grief.

His eyes filled with tears which he quickly wiped away, before answering, “You’re all worth it.”

Wilston tugged Silver against him and gave me a quick smile. “We’ll bring you breakfast in the morning. I believe it’s our duty to help you and Niam out as you tend to your men.” I embraced them both in a group hug, showing just how grateful I was.

Chapter 21

Altair

I blinked my eyes open, then groaned when I felt my entire body ache. A loud purr reached me from my left and I carefully turned my head to see Kitty shaking with excitement. What happened yesterday? I looked around the room as my mind started to remember the earthquake and how Xari had almost died. HowI’dalmost killed him. I’d hurt Tino.MyTino. I felt the warm tears trail down my cheeks as I let the horror over what I’d done wash over me.

“I’m so proud of you.” I turned my head and found Tino looking at me with so much relief and love in his expression that I started crying in earnest. I didn’t deserve him.

I shook my head. “I almost killed Xari.”

“You didn’t do that on purpose, Tair,” he said matter-of-factly, and before I could argue further, he added, “And you healed him, then me, using everything you had to save those around you, ignoring your own body and what it needed.”

I frowned, then looked at my bandaged arm. “Who?”

“Grethe,” he answered. “She came right away and looked you over. But because you were so deprived of magic, we needed to offer you some of ours before you could be healed. She put a cast on it to protect it from further harm. If you didn’t wake up in the next two days, she would need to heal the bone so it wouldn’t grow together wrong.”

“You lost magic because of me?” I’d really fucked up.

He shook his head and kissed my tear stained cheek. “We offered some of our magic to help yours along. I gave almost all I had, but the others gain that amount in a day. I believe Grethe knew I wouldn’t be okay with giving less.”

“Xari?” I asked, ignoring the magic offering discussion for now.

“He’s okay. After a full night’s rest, he’s as good as new. Not even a single scar to show off.” I should be relieved, but I still had the horrible feeling of guilt churning in my stomach.

“Are they…” I swallowed. “Are they mad at me?”

“God no!” he exclaimed, searching my eyes which I had no doubt were red and swollen. “My Tair, they love you.” I still felt the guilt weighing me down, but Tino would never lie to me. I had to trust the others hadn’t turned their backs on me.