Page 85 of Whispers of the Elderoak

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Aknock sounded from Ava’s bedroom door, startling her out of her doze on the chair.

“Come in,” she said, voice scratchy as she rubbed her eyes.

The door opened and a striking older fae man with light brown skin and curly chocolate brown hair entered, carrying a wooden apothecary box with a handle on top. He wore cream-colored robes, a brown fabric sash around his waist, and his yellow eyes twinkled as he smiled at her. Small horns peered out from his mop of curls as he leaned over to set down the box near her bed.

“Hello, Ava. My name is Kai,” he said, voice warm and melodic. Gesturing behind him, he added, “and this is Ivy.”

An angelic doe with a cinnamon coat and white spots, looked at her with bright green eyes as it emerged from behind Kai.

“Hello,” she answered, looking back at Kai. “It’s nice to meet you… and Ivy.”

The deer trotted over to Ava and placed her head in her lap, immediately at ease. Smiling, Ava stroked her soft fur as she looked back up at Kai. “She’s lovely.”

“Yes, she is. She comes everywhere with me and relishes her job as she provides comfort for my patients. I’m the head healer here in Mosshaven. I heard you injured your leg. May I look?”

Ava nodded and Kai sat on the ottoman of her chair and gingerly picked up her leg, placing it in his lap. He pulled back the shredded fabric of her pants and felt around the punctures, assessing their depth and severity.

She winced as he worked, attempting to distract herself by petting Ivy who was still nestled in her lap. “So, the head healer?” she asked. “You didn’t have to come all the way to see me. You could have sent someone else. I’m sure you have more important patients.”

“Nonsense,” he replied. “This is important. Besides, Jorrar sent me a note about you, and I must admit, I was a little curious to attend to a human,” he added with a sheepish smile.

Ava looked at him. “You know Jorrar?”

Kai smiled back, eyes twinkling again. “He’s my husband.”

“Oh!” she responded. “That’s lovely. I like him. He was the first one who was kind to me.”

“He’s like that,” he said, still smiling as he finished his examination. “This bite is bad. I was told he applied some ointment and was able to withdraw most of the poison, which helped, but it seems there is a little still lingering, hence the pain. It won’t heal until I can extract every drop.”

“Will it hurt?”

“Very much. I’m sorry. This is challenging because I don’t know how our magic and medicines will affect human bodies. I need to be careful what I use, and our numbing agents might be too strong for you.”

“Okay,” she replied, hands slightly shaking as she continued to pet Ivy. “I guess just get it over with.”

Kai hesitated, choosing his next words carefully. “I heard you may have other injuries as well… from The Scourge…”

She went still, memories of her torture at Deidamia’s hands days ago still raw. “Yes.”

“May I look at those? I promise to be gentle.”

She nodded, gut twisting with apprehension as she looked toward the balcony, trying to hold back the tears. Her other injuries covered her body and though she wasn’t keen on undressing for anyone after what she had gone through, she immediately felt safe with Kai.

Kai took one of her hands in his. “Ava, I promise not to harm you. I know you must have been through a lot these past few weeks and my sole purpose here is to help you and heal you. I am always professional.”

She turned toward him as a single tear fell down her cheek, his warm hand bringing her solace. “Okay, I trust you.”

A knock at the door sounded and Kai rose. “Just in time,” he said as he opened the door and an older fae woman walked in, followed by a couple of other staff wheeling in a portable bed. They locked the wheels into place in the center of the room and left as Kai turned to Ava. “This is Cirilla, your attendant. She will bring your food, help you bathe and dress and get anything else you need.”

Cirilla was shorter than most other fae. She had shoulder length golden brown hair peppered with gray, pinned back on the sides, and deep brown eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Ava said.

“You as well,” Cirilla answered curtly, as if she was unsure about waiting on a human. “Is there anything I can get you right now?”

“Umm… I don’t think so,” she answered. “I am a little hungry, though.”

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