Page 67 of A Bolt of Magic

No. I won’t even think it.

I refuse.

The healer checked her out before leaving but couldn’t find anything wrong. I was told it was exhaustion, but it’s been two days. Two long days. Surely, if McColl was simply exhausted, she would have woken up by now?

There has to be something more. I wish I knew. I wish I could do something…anything.

A soft knock at the door interrupts my brooding. “Come in,” I call, expecting Kyrie with another bowl of broth or Maya wanting to check on the woman who saved her life.

Instead, Thesha steps through the doorway, and I can’t hide my surprise. The warrior woman has avoided this cabin since McColl collapsed. Then again, I haven’t seen her or Xander on the few occasions I’ve left this room. Not that it’s been often.

Thesha closes the door behind her. Her clothes are dusty, and her brow is sweaty. Strands of dark hair have fallen from her braid that, for once, isn’t all that tight. Perhaps she and Xander continued with their duties and went to plow the field.

“Oh…it’s you.” I put down the water bowl and study her face. She looks tense; her jaw is tight. “What brings you here, Thesha?”

She shifts awkwardly, not quite meeting my eyes. “Xander and I have been foraging in the deeper woods since yesterday. We’ve found something that might help.” She holds up a small vial filled with dark liquid. “It’s moonwort tincture. My mother taught me about it years ago.” She swallows thickly. “It can help her.” She looks down at McColl. “It builds energy. It’s healing. Perhaps it can even wake her up.”

My chest tightens with an emotion I can’t quite name. This is the same woman who pulled a sword when McColl was trying to save Maya, who has done nothing but question her presence here. And now…

“Are you—?” I start to say, but she cuts me off with a sharp gesture.

“It will help her. I promise you. I mean McColl no harm. I want to help her.” She looks down at her muddy boots.

I realize that she thinks I can’t trust her. That she’s handed me poison instead of medicine, and it couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I know you do, and thank you. I will try it. How long did you have to forage for this?” I smile.

“Don’t read too much into it,” she says gruffly, but there’s a flush creeping up her neck. “Yourfriendpushed hard to save Maya and the baby. It was clear that it was at her own expense. I had to do something.” She pauses, struggling with the words. “I am grateful for all she has done. And yes, I guess I feel a little guilty about how I treated her…but…you can’t blame me. Here…” She holds out the vial, and I take it carefully, feeling the slight warmth of the glass against my palm.

“How much should I give her?”

“A few drops on her tongue every hour until she wakes. No more than that – moonwort can be dangerous in large doses.” Thesha finally meets my eyes, and I see the guilt there and worry, too.

“Thank you.” I keep my voice gentle. “It means more than you know.”

Thesha nods once, sharp and decisive, then turns to leave. At the doorway, she pauses without looking back. “Tell her…tell her I said thank you…when she wakes up.”

When,notif.It’s a small thing, but it gives me hope.

“You tell her yourself,” I yell as the door clicks shut.

I hold up the vial to the light; it is dark and even slightly thick. Then I open it, sniffing and wrinkling my nose. It smells bitter, with an earthy smell that reminds me of deep forest loam.

I carefully measure out a few drops of the tincture onto McColl’s tongue, watching as she swallows reflexively.

“Come on,” I whisper, settling back into my chair. “Whatever this is, let it work.”

An hour later, I go through the motions, giving her more, as well as some more water.

For what feels like an eternity, nothing happens. Then, finally, McColl’s eyelids flutter, her breathing deepening slightly. My heart leaps into my throat as her eyes slowly open, blinking in confusion at the cabin ceiling. A beautiful hazel. I missed those eyes more than I thought possible.

“McColl!” I lean forward, relief flooding through me so suddenly it makes me dizzy. “You’re awake,” I say stupidly.

She turns her head toward me, and I see the moment recognition floods back into her gaze.

“Hi.” Her voice is raw and weak.

“Hi,” I whisper back, my heart going wild inside my chest. Without thinking, I lean down and press my lips to her forehead. Then I lean back in, intent on kissing her sweet lips, but catch myself at the last moment. I turn and kiss her cheek instead, a soft brush of lips against skin that’s still too pale. At least she’s awake. She’s back.

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