Page 28 of Ruarc
“Yes, I can still feel our bond.”
The second I answer, Slavic lurches back to where Ruarc is trapped. Falon is instantly next to his brother, both of them frantically tossing rocks and debris out of the way. Bending over, I clutch Atasha to me, the tears sliding down my face unchecked, as we watch helplessly, neither of us able to aid in any way. Even though it only takes them a few tics, it seems like it is half a rising before they are able to free him.
Ruarc is unresponsive and covered in blood. Turning Atasha away, I press her little face into my neck as they ease him to the ground. I do not want her to witness her brother’s broken body, even though I cannot tear my eyes from Ruarcs’ fallen form. Einar’s massive, heavy steps can be heard thundering our way, and before I can get to my feet, he is bent down, pulling Ruarc’s substantial frame up into his arms like he is as light as a youngling, before turning to sprint down the long hall.
I must have swayed on my feet because the next thing I know, Slavic has picked me up, and Falon lifts Atasha, tickling her as he does, trying to alleviate her anxiety the best he can. I can hear him asking her about the adventure she was just on, and I am grateful someone is trying to make light of how serious this is so that it does not scar her young hearts. Jostling me lightly to get my attention, Slavic’s concerned eyes peer down at me. “Kallen, do you have any major injuries?”
“No, I do not think so. Ruarc protected us as best he could, just a few scratches here and there. Will he make it Slavic?”
“If the gods will it.”
Slavic’s solemn tone makes the pit in my stomach grow. As we enter the medical ward, I see Einar pull a privacy curtain around Ruarc and I fight to get out of Slavic’s arms.
“Calm yourself Kallen, give Einar time to get him stabilized. Until then, let us take a look at you and Atasha.”
“I am fine.”
“No, you are not! You will not do him any good in the condition you are in.”
Slavic barks this at me before laying me on a cot next to where Falon deposited Atasha. Poor little one; she has cried so much that she is having trouble breathing through her sobs. Rowan abruptly emerges with a medical box containing various items. “Kallen, you and Atasha lie back and relax. I’m not as fast as Einar, but I can definitely help with some of the minor injuries both of you have.”
Rowan’s entire demeanor changes as she takes over, bossing Slavic and Falon around, and I feel like I have ten sets of hands on me at once. I do not realize that I am staring at the closed curtain hiding Ruarc with intense scrutiny until Rowan steps in front of me, breaking my view of the material hiding my mate from my sight.
“Einar will have him fixed up in no time, Kallen. Right now, he couldn’t be in better hands.
Rowan’s reassuring words cause tears to pool in my eyes. All I can see over and over in my head are those rocks encasing him. My voice comes out haunted as my mind is still dealing with the horror I just witnessed. “Ruarc sacrificed himself. He pushed me out, staying behind until he saw I was out of harms way.”
“Isn’t that what you would have done for him?”
Her measured words make me hesitate, “Well, yes.”
“What makes you think he would react any differently? He may be a cantankerous, ill-mannered male, but when push comes to shove, he did the right thing. True love never fails, Kallen, no matter the circumstances. We all knew he loved you simply by the way he fought his attraction to you. I’m just glad he came to his senses before it was too late. Now, let me get this nice little chunk you have missing out of your forehead patched up, and I will see if Einar is at a point he can at least give us an update.”
“Sorry, I was so wrapped up reliving the moment he disappeared behind me, I forgot to ask about Atasha.” I pull away, craning my neck to look behind me.
“Atasha only had a few scratches, and even though she didn’t want to, mam managed to talk her into going to get you two something to eat, so I’m sure she won’t be gone long. I know her tears really tear at the heartstrings; she was such a pitiful little thing.”
Rowan compassionately reassures me before pulling my face back to look at her so she can finish cleaning the cut on my forehead. She applies a disinfectant that makes me wince at the sting before sealing it with a cool, soothing spray. “I wish I had a princess Band-Aid or at least a sucker. You have been a great patient.”
“Umm…thank you? Not sure what those are, but I appreciate you taking the time to help me.”
“Oh, you are most welcome. Einar has taught me a lot, and since we are always together, there’s no reason I can’t help with the easier things. He carries his responsibility heavily on those bigshoulders of his, and if I can lighten the load even just a little, it’s worth it.”
Her heartfelt words make me smile. It warms my hearts that Einar has such a supportive mate to assist in his duties. Being a lone medic must be a huge burden to bear. Glancing around the medical ward, I ask Rowan the next question that pops to the forefront of my mind.
“Were any others hurt?”
“Yes, that’s why Einar wasn’t there with Slavic and Falon. However, I do believe most of them were minor. Slavic made Ruby and I go outside until things calmed down. Honestly, I was hesitant to come back in. I’ve never really liked caves due to a previous bad experience, and the fact that you can be buried alive in the blink of an eye. I did hear Falon telling the others that he thinks he knows what happened, but who really knows when it comes to Mother Nature? All worlds are alive, and I think sometimes they are just trying to shake some of us off like a flea on a dog’s back.”
Einar snaps the curtain back, revealing Ruarc’s prone body, and if it had not been for Rowan grabbing me, I would have collapsed on the floor after jumping off the table.
“Hey now, take it easy! You’re running on fumes and Ruarc isn’t going anywhere.”
Rowan’s intense words sound like they are in a tunnel as I steadily make my way closer to Ruarc, who is lying entirely still. “Einar?”
My brother-by-mating must have heard the wobble of impending tears in my voice, because he does not hesitate before he tells me the results of his examination. “He is going to feel allthis damage when he wakes up, but he is stable. If he makes it through the darkness, I believe all will be well. However, I will not lie to you, Kallen; he was in a life-threatening, dangerous place there for several tics.”
Slavic appears from out of nowhere close by my side, his hands shaking as he looks down upon Ruarc. “What are the extent of his injuries, Einar?”
