Page 88 of A Conduit of Light
Thedoor has opened andIfeel a hand at my back.Anotherone has grabbed my hair and pulled it from my face, her touch light asIretch one more time over the basin near my bedside.
“Oh, thank the fungi!She’sawake!Karus, just let it out.Someonegrab a cloth or something.”
“We’vegot this,Moira.”
ThatwasFiguerah.She’ssitting beside me on the bed asIheave yet again into the basin of water.Sheis rubbing my back as we both watch yellow bile spew from my mouth.
It’sso hot.Mycheeks must be the color of strawberries in the summer.Forsome reason, that thought makes me want to laugh, butIdon’t.
Mybreathing quickens and a hand on the other side of me runs across my forehead.
“She’sburning up.Moira, hand me that cloth there.No, the one on the dresser.Dipit in the pitcher first.Sheneeds to cool down,Figuerah—yes, let’s get this vest off her.”
BeforeIcan protest,Clairanniais wiping my neck with a cool cloth, and at the same time manages to help unfasten my vest withFiguerah.
“Shewas so cold before.Wethought it best that she be in layers.”
ThatwasMoiraagain.Whenwas before?Timeraces forward andIfeel obliged to come with it, as much asI’drather stop right now and just think.
“Doyou think you’re done, sweetheart?”
Ilift my head, swimming as it is, and look into the gorgeous brown eyes ofFiguerah.
Honey.Therewas always a bit of honey there in the flecks, andIsmile before giving way to laughing.
“Figuerah?”
Shegrins, her face adorned in markings of gold paint, a ring attached to her nose. “Yes, love.”Shelaughs. “Yes, it’s me.”
Ifall into her arms, laughing, crying, joy protrudes from my chest andIswearIcan see it.Joyis green, the color of the trees inFelgrenon a cool spring day in a field of yellow blossoms.
Ihold onto her and squeeze my eyes shut.Myhand findsClairannia’sbehind me andIhold onto it too, pulling it close to me.Ifeel her body cover my back and she whispers, “Karus.We’vemissed you.”
Icannot imagine being as happy as this.Iam reunited with the women who have been everything to me.Atsome point in time,Imay not remember exactly when, butIknow these two hearts held mine.
Icry in remembrance,Icry for all we’ve missed.AndIcry knowing that they have left andIhave stayed.Whatlives have they lived?Whatare they like now?Wholoves them, and whom do they love?
Iwant to ask all of these questions, butIcannot.Icannot yet speak asClairanniacaresses my hair andFiguerahrocks us side to side.
Ifinally pull away, if only to see their faces again.Clairanniawipes the tears from my cheeks with the wet cloth andIlaugh again.
“Iwant to knoweverything.Please, tell me everythingIhave missed.”
“Goodness, girl, there is a lot to tell.”
“Andwe will, but maybe you should get up?Getsomething to eat or drink?Throughmagic,Ihave been able to keep your heart steady and your belly full for a few days, but the real thing would be best for you.”
Moirascoffs from the dresser where she sits hanging her legs over the side, swinging them as she often does. “Yeah, let’s get out of this stuffy place.Itsmells awful in here.”
Ishake my head and stand, a little unstable at first, butIfeel good on my bare feet.Clairanniahands me a cup of water, andIdrink it down in big gulps, the liquid cold as it settles into my stomach.Iwipe my mouth, my breathing slowing to normal.
Iam wearing the skirtsIused to wear as a channeler in training.Theyare a leafy green and light.Myundershirt is untucked at the waist and loose.Iunbutton the front a few times, trying to cool down further, pulling at the fabric.
Itis still hot.Iwould like to leave.
Iturn and walk toward the door, look up, and stop.
Icannot move,Icannot step even a single step further.
