Page 11 of The Magic of Eternity
Soft lips pressed against my forehead, and I felt the tickle of a beard. “Kai, it’s real. I’m really here. I’m not leaving your side for anything, okay?”
“I’d rather keep my eyes closed. If I have to live in this hell, I’d rather stay right here where my mind is being kind to me for once. If I look and you’re not here, Cam... Do you understand what I’m saying?” I was so tired. I likely wasn’t making any sense. All I knew was I could lie here and keep this fantasy alive until I passed out again.
“Then keep your eyes closed, Alpha. Let me take care of you.” I heard someone shuffling around the bed and then water running. Sometime later—I had no concept left of such things—a cool washcloth was laid over my forehead and eyes. A straw was pushed between my lips next, and I drank greedily, begging for more. I drank three cups before I felt my thirst recede.
“I need to put some things on your wounds. I’m so fucking sorry, K. I didn’t find you in time. But I’m here now. I’m here.” I heard bottles clinking and packaging being opened. “I can’t even use magic to lessen this for you. I think that’s why you’re not healing yet. It’s going to hurt, brother—I’m so sorry, but we can’t let these get infected. Bite down on this.”
A strip of leather was shoved between my teeth. Fuck. The Cam of my imagination was softly crying. He never used to cry. It seemed like none of us did. Until recently...
The first spray of something hit my back, and I screamed, my body bowing automatically.
“I’m so sorry. So fucking sorry. I’ll work fast.”
And he did. He worked quickly, but it seemed I had wounds from my shoulders to my fucking heels. I was sweating and panting by the time he finished. Something cool hit my skin and I soaked in the amazing sensation—such a contrast to the pain of moments before. It made my head spin. I must have passed out because when I actually opened my eyes again, my face was turned the other direction.
I was shivering, but couldn’t even get under a blanket in my current state. Suddenly hearing voices that were a bit muffled, I tried to calm my chattering teeth.
There was Cam’s voice again. Oh gods.Maybe he really is here.If he was here though, then he wasn’t with Saige. I’d much prefer that she had him right now. Hopefully the others were with her at least.
“Get me a gods damn healer!” Cam boomed.
I turned my head slowly. I had to know; I had to see. The sight I saw... I wasn’t prepared. Cam was here. Really here. His beard was wild, his hair hastily tied back, and he looked thinner than I’d ever seen him. That would’ve been hard enough on its own to see.
A woman’s voice rose in volume. “Let me tend to his wounds. If someone finds out you’re in here, it won’t end well—I guarantee you that.” My eyes tracked the sound, and there, right on the other side of the glass door was a woman who had never been more deserving of having her throat shredded by my teeth.
Laurie.
And the witch wanted to work some kind of magic on my body? I’d rather die. Hell, I’d probably end up dying if she was allowed any sort of magical freedom over me. We all knew too well what she was capable of. Sneaky fucking bitch.
Cam looked into the room, and our eyes connected. His mouth parted and within seconds, he was kneeling at my bed, taking my hand and holding on for dear life.
“Kai. Fuck, man. I didn’t think you were going to wake up, at least not for a while. Jesus, you’re burning up. Are you in a lot of pain? I can mix up some of that soothing mist that you liked last time.” He stared into my eyes, full of concern and something else. Despair, maybe?
I cleared my throat and wet my dry lips. “Why is she here, Cam?”
The big blond mage sighed. He was exhausted; the dark circles beneath his eyes told no lies. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you, but first I need to get you healed, brother. Your wounds are infected, K. You have a high fever and you’ve been convulsing in your sleep. She doesn’t want anyone else coming in here because she’s still trying to save face.” The doorknob turned, and Cam snarled over his shoulder. “STAY THE FUCK OUT!”
My teeth were chattering again. “Cam. Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.”
“Never. I’ll never leave you, but it’s you who can’t leaveme, K. You’re so sick and there’s just... There’s nothing I can do for you, brother. I’m so sorry.” His deep voice cracked and tears rolled down his gaunt cheeks.
“Send her away. I don’t want her near us.”
Cam nodded at my request. He rose up from his knees, storming over to the door. My eyes widened when I saw the knife he pulled from his back pocket.What the fuck? Is he going to kill her now? Oh please gods, let me be witness to that.
The door opened a couple of inches, and he slid his foot into the gap to keep it jammed open. “We don’t need your services. Get out of here and don’t come back unless you have a fucking healer. Do not test me, bitch.” I gasped when he pressed the knife to his wrist.
“I can’t wait til you get what’s coming to you,” Laurie sneered, and Cam chuckled darkly.
“If anyone has karmic payback coming, I think we both know it has your name all over it. Get. Me. A. Healer. If he dies, so do I.”
What the hell is going on?
The door slammed a beat later, and Cam returned the knife to his pocket, rushing back to my side. “What—” I tried to ask, but he hushed me.
“Let me talk, okay? You just rest and listen.” He slipped his hand into mine, squeezing hard.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Tell me everything.”
