Page 2 of Winds of Death (War of the Alliance #4)

But he matched Mama’s smile and gave a shrug. “Comfortable enough.”

“I’ll have you at the hospital soon. They have the route cleared for us so we won’t have to fight traffic.” Mama pressed the clutch and worked the gear shift as she eased the truck forward.

Since he couldn’t see what was happening outside the truck, Fieran could only guess that the line of vehicles had begun moving, setting off on the route to the main hospital in Aldon.

Mama worked the pedals, the gear shift, and the steering wheel smoothly as she guided the large vehicle out of the small alley and into what must have been another narrow, cobbled road that hadn’t been designed for a truck like this.

“Do you volunteer to drive the wounded to the hospital often?” Fieran gestured at the cab. These weren’t the modifications one would make for a single trip.

“It’s a way to help out, and the AMPC had a vehicle we could volunteer.” Mama shrugged as she peered at the mirrors and spun the large wheel to turn the truck down another road. “It’s something I can do to help the war effort.”

War effort. Fieran had been on military bases since the war began. Despite the letters he’d received, he still hadn’t anticipated the changes that the war would make at home.

“Where are Ellie and Tryndar?” As much as he missed his younger siblings, he wasn’t sure he was ready to see them just yet. He’d rather be a little more healed—and in a little less pain—when he saw them.

“With your Aunt Jalissa at Buckmore Cottage.” Mama worked the gear shift, and the truck slowed to a crawl. “Ellie has been coming with me to visit those in the hospital—only some of the wards. Not the more serious ones. But I haven’t brought Tryndar.”

She didn’t have to explain why. Beyond the fact that Tryndar was still very young, he was also sensitive.

“Normally they hang out with Louise at the AMPC. She has been staying there rather than commuting back to Treehaven each day. It’s safer, and she’s on hand to protect Aldon from bombing.

” Mama said this so matter-of-factly, as if bombing were a normal thing, even here in Aldon.

“But Louise is meeting your mechanic friend at the train. She’ll be staying at the AMPC as well. ”

Fieran eyed Mama. Did she know Pip was more than just a friend? Mama wasn’t looking at him as she concentrated on guiding the truck slowly forward through an alley so narrow that Fieran could see the brick walls on either side through the windows.

Yet there was an undercurrent to Mama’s voice, as if she was trying to be too casual.

And surely she had to suspect something, if Dacha did.

Especially if Dacha was the one who had gone through all the trouble of orchestrating Pip being sent to Aldon.

Dacha didn’t keep such things a secret from Mama.

But Fieran couldn’t be sure. Mama was too good at hiding behind her smile.

Not that he minded if what he felt for Pip remained unacknowledged in this conversation. He had too much to discuss with Pip before he discussed any of it with his mama.

“I’m glad. Louise will help her settle in.

” Fieran worked to keep his own tone neutral.

Just discussing a colleague, a friend. Nothing more.

He clamped his mouth shut before he babbled something else about Pip.

Like how much she would enjoy working at the AMPC.

It would probably feel like a dream come true, even for a few weeks on temporary assignment.

But if Fieran started talking about Pip, there was no way he’d be able to hide the depth of his feelings for her.

The brick walls on either side disappeared, and Mama turned the truck one last time. She applied the brakes and the truck eased to a stop.

Mama smiled and half-turned in the seat to face him. “I have to make a second trip, but I’ll come see you once I’m finished.”

Fieran nodded, a sense of relief filling him. Getting settled into the hospital bed probably wasn’t going to be pleasant. There were some things he would rather his mama did not witness.

Her smile grew a hint mischievous, a twinkle in her green eyes. “I know you’re probably too old for this, but…” She leaned over and pressed a light kiss to his forehead.

“Mama…” His protest was more teasing than anything else. Perhaps it was that childishness brought on by pain and helplessness, but he rather hoped his mama’s kiss made everything better as it always had when he’d been a child.

“All better?” Her smile still had that faintly teasing tilt, even if there was something to the look in her eyes. As if she wished he was still a child with a child’s injuries that could be kissed away so easily.

“All better.” He forced the words and the smile, even as he gritted his teeth against the pain gaining in intensity with every moment.

An orderly strode up to Mama’s window, cleared his throat, and held up a clipboard. “Your Highness?”

“Yes. Let’s get them unloaded.” Mama turned away from Fieran, her expression instantly smoothing into her practiced princess smile, as she opened her door and stepped down to the road.

After only a short wait, Fieran was carried into the hospital and taken by lift to the second floor.

There, he was set on one of the metal-framed beds that lined the walls.

Several nurses descended, cheerfully seeing to his needs and getting him wrestled into a fresh hospital gown.

By the time the whole ordeal was over, whatever pain medication and healing magic had been in his system had thoroughly vanished.

He might just cry and beg for relief—he might even take another one of his mama’s kisses to see if that would help—as he tried to breathe through it.

“Prince Fieran Laesornysh. Why am I not surprised to find you in my hospital ward?” The deep, dry tone rang from beside the bed.

Fieran peeled his eyes open, trying to smile with his jaw tightly clenched. “Healer Nylian. Good to see you.”

Even better if the elf healer hurried up and used his magic.

Nylian, a tall elf healer with brown hair and a long, straight nose, eyed Fieran before he placed a hand on Fieran’s forehead. The healer’s gaze went distant as his healing magic sank into Fieran.

Fieran didn’t have to work as hard to keep his magic in check as Nylian’s healing magic washed through him. Perhaps his magic recognized Nylian’s, given how often Fieran had been healed by Nylian while growing up.

As Nylian’s magic swept through him, the pain receded, and Fieran could finally take in a deep breath once again. His exhaustion pressed even deeper into him, an ache behind his eyes and at his temples that the healing magic didn’t touch.

Nylian gave one last hmm before he withdrew his hand. “Given your injuries, you are in remarkably good condition. Although, I should not be surprised. The magic of the ancient kings seems to grant its wielders an incredible resilience.”

Fieran let his eyes fall closed. That seemed like something rather important, but he was far too tired to question Nylian now. If Nylian said anything else, he didn’t hear it as he slipped into sleep.