Page 39 of Restored

“It feels better. Thank you, Layla.” I nod turning to find Archie.

He’s sitting against a tree. I assess him, seeing a few cuts and scrapes, but when my eyes drift to his leg, I see his pantleg tattered and wet with blood. “You look like hell.” I force a smile, kneeling. I use my dagger to cut his pant leg to get a better look.

“Hey, I liked those pants, and we both know I’ve never looked like hell a day in my life.”

I chuckle softly. “Looks like the Kerolu got you pretty good.” A decent-sized chunk is missing from his calf, and my hands are already glowing as I bring them up to hover over the wound. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you all fixed up. I don’t have enough power to make it perfect; you’re going to have a nasty scar. The ladies will go crazy for it.”

“I’m no stranger to scars as long as I can keep my leg.” He braces expecting pain.

“It’s not going to hurt, Arch. If anything, you’ll feel some warming, maybe itching.” I take a deep breath, letting the stopper off my power, pushing what I can spare into him.

White glowing mist cocoons around his leg, swirling around the skin until I’m fully satisfied. The newly healed skin almost completely matches his healthy skin, except for a rugged scar.

“Astonishing,” Archie remarks as he moves his leg around, testing it.

“It might be a little sore for a few days, try to take it easy on that leg. Mind if I take care of that head wound?”

“You really are the best, Layla,” he says, and I smile, lifting one hand to his temple, the other on his chin to keep him still.

When I feel like I am done, I lick my thumb to smear it against Archie’s temple, removing the dried blood. “Thanks, Mom.” He grins. “I could really get used to having you around.” He stands up and offers me his hand.

I sway as I stand up. “Whoa, you okay?” He steadies me.

“I’m fine, just a little weak.” I want nothing more than a hot bath and a comfy bed. My thigh and stomach are throbbing in time with my heart. I fight to stay conscious as blood loss and use of power catch up to me. My body lurches sideways, and Archie catches me before I can hit the ground.

“Layla!” His voice is laced with concern, and I can’t seem to find the words to answer him. “Hey, stay with me.” He is shaking me gently. I struggle to keep my eyes open but the darkness creeping in becomes impossible to resist.

I cometo as the horses slow. The noise of hooves clomping on pebbles echoes off the empty streets. The smell of the forest and leather is at the forefront of my senses.

When I am conscious enough to open my eyes, I realize my face is nuzzled into Ledger’s neck. The only thing keeping me up on the horse is his arm banded around me. My body goes a little rigid as I pull my face from his neck.

“Thank the fucking gods,” Ledger breathes as he looks down at me. “You scared the hell out of all of us back there. You shouldn’t have pushed yourself so hard. Thereis a limit to everyone’s abilities, and you seem to have no regard for yourself.”

“He’s right, you know? I thought we almost lost you back there,” Archie chimes in.

“You guys aren’t going to get rid of me that easily,” I respond, trying to lighten the mood. If I’m being honest, I’d scared myself. Expending so much power mixed with my wounds had been a dangerous combination, and I am feeling the punishing effects of both.

“Where in the world are we?” We canter down a cobblestone street. The houses we pass are built with spruce wood walls covered in green moss, the roofs a rich copper.

It looks charming and smells earthy and floral. I hear a babbling creek somewhere in the distance that must run through the town.

“This is Grimwood. Westray is about a day’s ride from here.” As we turn the corner, a few heavily armored men on horses ride by, barking hounds trailing after them. “They are known for animal tracking, herbalism, and leather working here. That is how they make a living.”

“Are they tracking Kerolu?”

“Amongst other things.” Ledger pulls Apollo’s reins as we come to a halt in front of an enchanting inn. The sign above the red wooden door reads, “The Lazy Archer.”

Everyone dismounts their horses, Ledger getting off himself and then reaching up to gently place me and my numb legs on the ground.

My head swims, and I reach out to Apollo to steady myself.

Ledger lifts an eyebrow at me, and I force a pleasant look onto my face, giving myself another steadying second before dropping my hand.

Ledger lifts me into his arms, and I’m too weak to fight him as he walks us into the inn.

The inn is warm, the smell of something savory and delicious in the air makes my stomach rumble. There is a fire in the hearth giving the dining room a glowy appearance. Mounted animal heads litter the walls, some seemingly innocent while others still appear as viscous as the day they perished.

I spot a monstrously large Kerolu head on the wall behind the front desk, I can practically see the drool dripping off its fangs. I shiver at the sight, unconsciously rearing back.

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