Kai was covered in scratches and welts. His one eye was swollen shut and he was gasping for air. Rayna lowered her ear in front of his face to listen to his breathing. She heard Kai try to speak. With her hand wrapped in cloth, she wiped cold water across his inflamed skin. She lowered her ear to his face to listen again to his labored wheezing.
“The tea will take too long,” she whispered. Tears streaked down her face. What could she do? She had to help. Could she heal him?
“What tea could cure this?” Dresnor begged.
“We cannot have come this far to fail here,” she pleaded, looking up into the dark trees. “Alenga, please help me. Help him.”
She closed her eyes and delved deep within her soul. She thought of how much she loved Kai. She searched for the strength inside herself. Barehanded, she pressed on his chest and channeled her internal power into Kai. She pushed him down under the water and held him in place. White light emanated from her palms.
“What in the name of Alenga?” Dresnor gasped.
Rayna felt her magic pulse through her hands and into Kai’s chest. The welts shrank and he sprang upright gasping for air—then he passed out.
“Drag him from the water,” Rayna ordered. “When he wakes, I will have the tea ready.”
Dresnor did as she instructed. “What are you?” he asked. “How did you heal him? That was not natural.”
“You know very little about the things around you,” Rayna scoffed in frustration. “The storm on the ship, did you think that was natural? You were there, you saw what we did. Can you explain that?”
“I did. Not that I believe it, but yes, I saw. And no, I cannot explain it. But it’s not like I even know what to ask either of you,” he shot back with a tone of frustration all his own.
“Why are you here?” Rayna demanded. “We told you to go back. This is all your fault. We were doing fine until you came along.”
“I came to help!” Dresnor barked. “I didn’t mean for Kai to fall. How is this my fault? Don’t turn this around on me. Besides, if you can heal those welts and help his breathing, why not heal your fevers?”
Rayna gulped. She knew their fever was nothing she could cure with an herb or her touch. “Don’t you think I would if I could?” she snapped bitterly.
Dresnor dropped a log on their growing fire. “Why are you yelling at me? I came to protect you both.”
“How did you even find us? We have been all over this mountain.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I am an excellent tracker. At one point, your trail completely disappeared.”
She knew all too well where they had been. Deep under the ground, their real path was now covered by stone and earth. Sealed as if the deep canyon had never been there. “Kai told you to go home.”
The Kempery-man slumped near the fire. “You know I didn’t mean any harm.”
“And yet here we are,” she continued to poke at him.
“This is not like you, Rayna. You have never addressed me with such disregard. Are you sure you’re alright?”
Rayna could barely contain her emotions. She was exhausted and scared, so she took it out on Dresnor. “You should not have followed us!” Part of her wanted to go back home and forget about their magic, let the gift burn out, but then she thought of Kai’s mother. She would give anything to know her birth mother—helping him save his was the least she could do.
Dresnor reared back. “I know it has been a long day, and we are all exhausted. You should get some rest. I will watch over you and Kai...”
◆◆◆
When Kai awoke, he was wrapped in a blanket. To his surprise, he was able to open both eyes. The welts on his hands were smaller and only a little burned. Along the periphery of their small camp lay Smoke with the alpha and his pack.
Kai cleared his throat. “Can I get something to drink?” he rasped.
Rayna rushed to his side and offered him some of the tea she’d made. It tasted mellow and green, followed by a sweet clove and lemon flavor. He sipped slowly and finished the cup. “What am I drinking?” he asked, trying to sound positive.
“Stinging nettle tea mixed with honey and wild lemon vine. Lemon vine is a yellow and blue flower with a purple fluted center, it grows here in the forest. The stinging nettle and honey I brought from home. You once asked me to research the dragon’s breath—good thing, too. I knew to keep you cold until I could make the tea.” She winked at him.
It had been a good thing. Without Rayna’s knowledge of the plant and its cure, he might have died tonight.
Refilling Kai’s cup, she turned to Dresnor. “Philip, I believe I owe you an apology. I know you only wanted to help. We are fortunate Alenga heard my prayer. If I hadn’t found those flowers on the way here, Kai would have died.”
Dresnor nodded and stroked his beard. “Seems I owe you an apology, too. I should have trusted you both. I was sure without me you would not make it to the Katori mountain camp. I have spent years protecting the prince, but I forgot how capable he is on his own. Now I may have jeopardized your entire trip. If it is as you say, they may be watching you right now. With me here, they will never help you.”
Rayna let her hands fall into her lap. “There’s no use crying over it now. But you must go back come first light,” she insisted.
Dresnor nodded. “Agreed. And I don’t think you a witch. I will not report what I saw. We’ve all heard tales of healers. Who am I to question how Alenga works?”
“Witch? I have never heard this
