a free serial story set in the Fey Touched universe
by Erin Zarro
Part 3
Get caught up: Part 1 | Part 2
Part 4 | Part 5
DAY ONE – CONTINUED
I didn’t sleep that night. I heard Ry moaning, tossing, and turning on the floor and I did nothing. I didn’t know what to do. I was beginning to feel sorry for him.
Which was probably his plan. Wear me down until I agreed to heal him.
But I simply couldn’t. It would mean excruciating pain and suffering for me. And if things were different, maybe I’d consider it. But he was a rogue.
But he claimed that he didn’t choose to turn. That it was somehow forced on him. I had never heard of that happening, ever. So, was it possible, or was it a lie?
Ry cried out, and I couldn’t ignore him any longer.
I kneeled by his side. “Are you in great pain?”
Ry’s hand cast about, and I took it in mine. “Feels like ants are crawling inside my skin. They won’t leave me alone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t sound sorry,” Ry said, disgust in his voice. “You’re an exalted Hunter of rogue Fey. You couldn’t possibly lower yourself to help someone in need.”
My blood boiled. “Listen! It’s not about lowering myself! I can’t do it, okay? I’m weaker than I look.” The last was a whisper, but he’d heard me.
“You’re right, Ivy. You’re weak and cowardly and I wish I didn’t have to spend the last three days of my life with you.” Hands shoved me away. “Get away from me!”
I almost fell over, but I was able to catch myself just in time. “I’m sorry.” I stood and went back to my corner, tears filling my eyes.
Ry moaned again, and I clenched both my hands into fists, willing myself not to let my compulsion to heal him screw with me.
#
A scream woke me out of sleep.
Ry. He was hurting again.
I went to him, hating myself for being so weak.
“Ivy, I know you’re there,” Ry said roughly. “Leave me alone.”
“Please. I want to help,” I said.
“You know how you can help.”
“I know. And I can’t. But maybe I can talk to you, try to distract you from the pain.”
“Don’t want it. Go,” Ry said.
I bit my lip and stayed put. I wasn’t going to let him go through this alone.
He screamed again, and the sound nearly broke my heart.
“Ava?” he asked. “Ava, have you come to ease my suffering?”
Who was Ava? His mate, maybe? But he hadn’t mentioned it. But it was possible. Maybe she wasn’t rogue—
“Let me touch you, Ava,” Ry said, and I could feel his longing. His hand came up, and without thinking, I took it in mine. “So good to be with you again.” His voice wasn’t as rough, and he sounded almost happy now.
“I will always be here for you,” I said. “I can help you through this.”
“Don’t let go of me,” Ry said. “I don’t think I can do—” He screamed again and he squeezed my hand so hard I was afraid he’d break my bones. They’d heal, but it would hurt for a bit.
Not that I cared. He was going through far worse pain than I.
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m here.”
The night went like that: Ry screaming, me acting as Ava. He didn’t seem to realize that it was me. And that was fine because I wanted to help. If it meant telling a tiny lie, it was fine. I couldn’t watch him like this and do nothing.
The thought of healing once again came to me, and before I pushed it away, I let it settle for a moment.
I could do it. I’d be taking his disease within me, and with no one to neutralize it, I’d suffer the same way as Ry. I wouldn’t die, though.
Unless I could find someone else who was also Healer. Someone who could neutralize it for me so I didn’t carry his illness inside me forever. But I needed something else. Something I wouldn’t get unless I was free.
I wanted to help.
But I didn’t know what to do.
DAY TWO
“Who is Ava?” I asked Ry the next morning. I needed to know who she was, and what she meant to Ry.
Ry nibbled on a piece of bread. I didn’t think he would answer me. But then he spoke. “A female I once knew. I…imprinted on her.”
I took a sip of water. “But she didn’t want to mate with you?”
“I’d just gotten turned rogue, so no. She wouldn’t come near me. Like it was catching or something.” His words were bitter. “How did you know?”
“You said her name a few times last night.”
“Oh. I did dream that she was here. She held my hand.” His eyes glistened with tears. “Just fantasy. Never real.” He tore a piece of bread loose, popped it into his mouth, and chewed.
I leaned forward, catching his gaze. “I’m sorry.”
He waved the comment away. “You’re not sorry enough.”
I remembered that he’d said he was turned rogue without making the decision to turn. If I could somehow heal him of being rogue, the disease would go away. Theoretically.
And that was almost impossible. The healer who’d done it before was turned under—wait. Wouldn’t this be the same? Ry’s turning was under special circumstances.
If only I could remember how she’d done it. If we were even told about it beyond the fact that it was unheard of in the Hunter community.
That could solve everything!
If I was right. What if I was wrong? I didn’t want to give him false hope.
False hope would be worse.
I didn’t know what to do. Or how to do it.
And I was running out of time.