Chapter 14

Sage

I rush through the village although my entire body wants to rebel. The Krijese terrify me. It doesn't matter if the ones waiting belong to the alleged peaceful tribe that broke away from their former king or not. All I've experienced with them has been violence and death.In fact, one nearly killed me on the attack that had us moving to the village.

I know Zander and several others believe the small group of Krijese that lives nearby truly does want peace between the tribes, but I can't help but hold on to a fragment of uncertainty.

Jodah's long-legged stride catches up with Imir and me until finally we reach the healer's tent. I step inside and for a second, I can't go any farther. A massive alien with skin that shifts from black to a metallic forest green stands nearly in the center of it. His long ropey, snake-like hair is tied back and when he turns his head in my direction, his black as pitch eyes lock onto me. My gaze drops to the vertically split mouth that's slightly parted. I've had nightmares about those tusks that curl up from corners and the razor-sharp teeth that are almost visible. He's not the enemy. He's not the enemy.

"Sage."

I blink at my name and my gaze darts to Kyler who's standing at one of the platforms where a much smaller version of the adult before me lies. He's covered up to his chest with furs, but he's shaking. His pallor is gray and a crackling sound comes from his chest with every breath he takes. Doing my best to ignore the adult Krijese, I quickly make my way to the bedside.

"What happened?" I place my hand on his forehead. He's burning up.

"He started having difficulty breathing many days ago," the Krijese answers instead of Kyler. His guttural language grates against my ear drums. "Then he grew weaker and the death rattle began. He collapsed near the fire after our meal this morning. We have tried everything, but we do not have herbs to make him better."

To my surprise, I hear desperation in his tone.

The boy coughs and the raspy sound of congestion comes with it.

"I have tried giving him the melokk juice, but cannot get him to swallow it," Kyler says. "He does nothing but choke."

I try to remember what the doctors did for me when I had pneumonia. Not that I'm positive he has it, but he sounds exactly like I did. I turn my head toward the Krijese. "What's his name?"

"Sorin."

I face Kyler again. "We need to get him sitting upright. He needs to be able to clear out his lungs and spit out anything he coughs up."

Together, we carefully lift Sorin's torso and place several furs behind him. Without thinking, I leave Kyler with him while I grab a bottle of the melokk juice and pour some in a cup. Carefully, I bring it to the little boy's mouth. Shit, how am I supposed to get him to drink this?

"Sorin." I keep my voice gentle and soft. "Can you open your eyes for me?"

Slowly, he blinks them open. The black orbs are glassy. It's like I'm treating Jodah all over again and every emotion I felt that day rushes through me. Whatever it takes, I have to save him. "This will taste terrible, but I need you to drink for me, okay?"

The flaps of his mouth slowly open farther exposing more of the interior. Avoiding his teeth, I carefully tip the cup only giving him a little at a time. While he drinks, I glance up at Kyler.

"We need to boil some water with burim root."

He doesn't question me. Instead he grabs a bucket.

"I will get it for you." Jodah takes it from Kyler who moves to stoke the fire.

God, I forgot he was even here. "Thank you."

He nods and dashes out of the tent. My attention turns back to Sorin who's finally drank all the melokk juice. His breaths still crackle and he can barely hold his head up. He's closed his eyes again as well.

"What are we preparing?" Kyler asks.

I'm so out of my element, but I have to try everything. "Back on Earth we use a machine called a humidifier which creates steam. Adding eucalyptus, which smells similar to burim root, to the boiling water, it's supposed to help clear the person's lungs by breathing it in. I don't know if it will work, but at least it's something."

The door flap swings open bringing light with it and Jodah steps in. The Krijese whirls around and reaches for his weapon, but lowers his arm at the sight of my mate. Jodah pours the water in the clay pot and sets it over the fire to heat. My mind is racing trying to figure out what else I can do to help Sorin.

Wracking coughs shake Sorin's entire body. He can barely catch his breath. The male Krijese growls out a harsh sound.

"We're going to get you some medicine, okay?" I know I shouldn't say it, but I can't help it. It's just that if I say it out loud, it's real. A promise.

"The water is ready," Jodah announces.

I move to add the burim root, but Kyler interrupts. "Stay with the kit."

He grabs the pot of burim root and dumps a small handful into the water. "Now what?"

"Bring it over here, please." I brush my hand over the boy's burning hot forehead. "Sorin, I'm going to put a pot in front of you and I want you to breathe in the steam that comes from it okay? Don't touch it. Just breathe as best you can."

Within two furs, Kyler holds the homemade humidifier. Or at least the attempt at one. I glance at Jodah. "Bring me one of the furs from the other bed, please."

The healer has the pot before Sorin and looks at me, silently asking what's next. I focus back on the little boy. "I'm going to put a fur over your head to keep the steam in. Just lean forward and keep breathing."

I nod at Jodah who moves to my side. As gently as possible, I guide Sorin so he's slightly bent over the steaming hot water. Once in position, my mate carefully drapes the fur over the little boy's head and moves to his other side to help me hold him in position since he's so weak. The whole time I just keep talking to him and slowly everyone fades away leaving just the two of us.

"I'm so proud of how strong you are. I know you're hurting, but we're going to get you better. Just keep breathing." I pause. "Think about the warm season again. How the sun shines down on you and warms you right up. Before you know it, you're going to be running around your village again."

I'm not sure how long I keep up the one-side conversation, but every few seconds, I lay my hand on Sorin's back to make sure he's still breathing, even though I can see he is. Hear it as well. The crackling sounds from his lungs is still present and I hope I'm not imagining that they're not as bad as they were. When I think the water has gotten too cold, Jodah lifts the blanket and the male Krijese—whose name is Kala—steps in to help by pouring more boiling water into the pot. I still don't stop talking to Sorin. After so long, my voice grows hoarse.

"Let's try some more melokk juice."

Jodah removes the fur while Kyler pulls the pot away and sets it on the neighboring platform. He grabs the bottle of cough remedy and pours a small dose in a cup. He passes it to me and I stroke Sorin's forehead again. It feels cooler than it has been.

"Can you drink this for me? It's more medicine."

This time, it's much easier to get it down him. When he's swallowed all of it, I carefully lay him back on the stacked furs, keeping him propped up halfway. His eyes flutter open and he reaches a hand out to me. I clasp it in mine and gently squeeze, but I don't let go. Neither does he.

A rustling sound snaps my head up and my eyes fly open. My heart leaps in my chest but quickly settles at the sight of Kyler adjusting the furs around Sorin. He's finally resting after two days of one breathing treatment after another, along with the liquid medicine we use for coughs.

"He is doing well thanks to you." Kyler steps away from the boy and crosses over to his supply table.

I rub my face and stand from the stool I've occupied at Sorin's bedside since he got here. My butt's gone numb from being seated so long, but I ignore it. A cursory check shows Kala still lying on one of the empty platforms. The fact that I was able to fall asleep in the presence of a Krijese amazes me. But it was pretty clear after the first day that his only concern was his son.

Kyler brings over a cup of water and a steaming bowl.

"I'm glad he's better."

I'd put as much effort into keeping Sorin alive as I had Jodah.

Not that I hadn't worked just as hard to treat the other warriors I've helped since coming here. But somehow my mate and this little boy are different. There had been some unnameable force driving me. My stomach rumbles at the smell of the stew I'm holding, reminding me I haven't eaten since yesterday's evening meal.

"What time is it, anyway?" I take a long drink and dig into my food. "Thank you for this, by the way."

"The mid-day meal has just begun. And you are welcome," Kyler says. "Although, I cannot take the credit for it. Your mate brought it in for you. He went to get his own meal and said he would return with it."

Warmth fills me at the thought of Jodah. He has spent nearly every moment in here with me. While Kyler slept, both he and Kala assisted me with Sorin's breathing treatments. He also made sure I caught a few hours sleep.

A groan comes from the other occupied platform and Kala pushes himself to sitting. His gaze immediately darts to his son and the relief is evident on his face. He shifts it to us. Particularly to me. To my surprise, he climbs down and approaches. I force myself not to take a step backward. Now that it's pretty clear Sorin is going to be okay, and Kala got what he came here for, is he going to turn violent?

"You saved my kit's life and I am in your debt." He bows his head and raises it again. "You only have to ask and it will be repaid in any way I am able."

"That isn't necessary. I would help anyone in need."

"It does not matter. I am still indebted to you."

I shift and glance away. "Um, okay, thanks."

The door flap swings open bringing with it Jodah, who's carrying two bowls, sunshine, and flecks of cold dust the wind has kicked up. His gaze lands on the Krijese standing close to me and he stiffens. As though sensing the tension, Kala moves away from me and strides over to Sorin's bed.

My mate finally steps the rest of the way inside and another bout of heartburn lands in my chest. I've barely eaten my stew. Why is it affecting me already?

"I am glad you are awake and eating," Jodah says softly as he crosses the distance between us.

His gaze never leaves mine as he hands one bowl to Kyler who, I observe in my periphery, takes it over to Kala.

"Thank you for bringing me food."

"You have not eaten nearly enough while you have been in here." He finally glances over at Sorin and back to me. "I remember."

"Remember what?"

"When I was injured and dying, there was a sweet sound that invaded my mind. Always speaking to me. Guiding me to heal. Refusing to let me give up." Jodah caresses the side of my face. "That was you."

My cheeks heat at the intensity in his eyes. "I couldn't let you die."

"I finally understand now."

I tilt my head slightly off-center. "Understand what?"

"What Deeka was trying to show me."