The pain. Hans let out a long breath. Gods. And another.
Klaus’ voice broke through. “Pick him up and take him to the house. Anyone with healing skills—or proof—may accompany us. We have yet to get to the bottom of this.”
Hans groaned again. This wasn’t over yet.
§
Tomaaz made his way back to the house with Lofty and Klaus supporting him on either side. Lovina followed them. They trailed Pa, who was being carried by the smithy and Pieter—the very men who’d wanted to burn him at the stake. Hopefully, they’d seen Bill’s true colors and changed their minds.
Ana appeared, carrying healing supplies. “Are you all right, Tomaaz?” She took Lovina by the hand, bringing her along.
Through gritted teeth, Tomaaz attempted a smile.
“I’ll need your ma’s healing supplies, if you know where they are,” Ana said.
He managed a nod as Klaus and Lofty helped him up the steps into the house.
Pa was on his bed, Pieter and the smithy pacing nearby like wolves.
“Over here.” Klaus motioned toward Ma’s side of the bed. “It’ll be easier if you’re both together.”
What would be easier? Healing them? Or guarding them?
Ana seated the shivering Lovina in a chair in the corner and bundled a blanket around her. Klaus shooed Pieter and the smithy into the living area and took up vigil next to Lovina, leaning his bulk against the wall.
Tomaaz’s shins and calves were red and blistered, but his feet had been protected by his boots. He grimaced at the raw flesh on Pa’s legs and feet, covered with yellow blisters as big as eggs. Gods, how could his father walk, let alone fight tharuks?
Ana, Lofty and Ernst bathed Pa and Tomaaz’s burns with wet cloths, cooling them. Then Ana smeared healing salve over the raw parts of Tomaaz’s legs. Her touch bit into him like a nest of viscous ants. He clamped his teeth down on a stick, knowing Pa’s pain was worse.
Ana moved to treat Pa. Pa lay there, groaning and grunting, drifting in and out of consciousness.
“Hans,” Ana asked, “does Marlies have any piaua juice?”
No answer.
“Not sure,” Tomaaz replied. “Her supplies are in the wooden chest in the kitchen.” Was his pain ever going to end?
Ana left and bustled back in, beaming. “I found some piaua.” She held up two vials of clear green liquid.
Only two vials. “Is that enough?” Tomaaz croaked.
Lofty gave him a sip of water.
Ana frowned. “We’ll see.” She approached him.
“No. Heal Pa. He needs it more.”
She nodded and retreated to the other side of the bed.
Ana dribbled the piaua juice onto Pa’s leg, then tried to smooth it into his flesh, but Pa screamed, twisting on the bed. His foot connected with Ana’s stomach.
She cried out, but managed to hold the vial upright.
“Pieter, Smithy!” Klaus barked, coming over to pin Pa’s shoulders. “In here. Restrain him.”
The smithy held Pa’s hips down. Ana wrapped bandages around Pa’s ankles while Pieter had the awful job of holding them in place.
Brow beaded with sweat, his father moaned as Ana smoothed the juice into his burnt skin. Pa’s wounded flesh shrank before Tomaaz’s eyes, disappearing. The bulbous blisters shriveled and sagged, then vanished. Pa’s moaning stopped. Where his burns had been was pale-pink skin.
Klaus exhaled. “No matter how many times I see it, piaua never ceases to amaze me.”
Letting go of Hans, Pieter and the smithy murmured in assent.
Pa opened his eyes. “Shards, that stuff burns! Almost as bad as fire!” His chuckle died in his throat as he glanced over at Tomaaz. “My son, Ana. You must heal Tomaaz.”
Ana held up a vial. “I only have quarter of a vial left. What will it be? Your hands? Or your son’s legs?”
Pa held up his blistered hands, examining them as if they didn’t belong to him. “I’ve had worse. I’ll be fine. Heal him.”
“Hans, I—”
“No,” Pa bit out, “I want my son fit to fight tharuks when they arrive tomorrow.” He glared at Klaus, his jaw jutting out.
Klaus shook his head, his mouth hardening in a grim line.
“Pa,” Tomaaz said, his gaze landing on Lovina. “Lovina’s back is worse.”
Klaus nodded.
“Please, Ana, heal her,” Tomaaz said.
§
Lovina stirred. The boy with the emerald eyes and golden hair had mentioned her. Impossible. No one ever noticed her.
Certainly not anyone that beautiful. She’d seen Tomaaz fighting in the marketplace today. Laughing. Confident. Hugging his sister.
He said it again. “Please, heal Lovina.”
Lovina strained to see through the gray fog. He was staring right at her. She dropped her gaze. The only time anyone ever looked at her was usually right before they hurt her.
Uneven thumps reverberated through the floor.
It was him, hobbling over on wounded legs. Wincing, he lifted her chin with gentle fingers.
“Lovina.” His breath brushed her cheek. “We’d like to heal your back.”
She stared at him.
The fire crackled next door, the way the pyre had crackled before he’d saved his pa.
“Lovina, please, let us heal you.”
She swallowed and bobbed her head.
“Good.”
Lovina was bathed in the light from his smile.
§
Ana led Lovina out of the room, and Tomaaz sank back on the bed beside Pa. Those few paces across the room had taken more out of him than he realized. If only there’d been enough juice to heal them all. But there wasn’t, and Lovina’s infected back needed more help than his legs. He was strong, healthy. He’d heal in a few days. She was frail, as thin as a wisp. Her dull gray eyes ate away at him.
“Lofty, please find something warm for Lovina to wear,” he asked. “There must be something among Ezaara’s things.”
“Good idea, Tomaaz.” Klaus’ voice startled Tomaaz. He’d forgotten Lush
