Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

I t took another long nap and a couple of meals before Solomon felt more like himself. No more aches. No more pain. He felt stronger. Conjuring up a brilliant white mageball in his palm, he smiled.

“Proud of yourself, are we?” Gray walked in with one of their nurse-techs.

“That I can create this without a headache. Yes. Definitely feeling better. Can we get all these sensors off and needles out? I have things to do,” Solomon said. He absorbed the magic.

“Sure. After one last check of your vitals. We drew some more blood while you slept and everything appeared clear. We already removed your catheter,” Gray said while he and the nurse checked over everything.

“And that feels so much better and embarrassing.”

“Not like you were awake to pee in a bowl for us. Kept your kidneys happy while they flushed out the poison.”

“Yay for the happy kidneys.” Adjusting his glasses, he looked past Gray to the doorway. “Where’s Mac?”

“He portaled to his home and will return.” Gray looked over his shoulder and smiled. “He didn’t leave you while you slept. I promise. Just had to change clothes and collect a few things.”

“Thanks.”

“Of course.” Gray nodded while the nurse recorded numbers on a chart. “Everything appears good. Let’s remove everything and shut it down.”

The nurse moved around the bed to remove the sticky sensors and pads first. She shut off the various machines connected to them.

“Anything I should worry about?” Solomon asked.

“Since you could conjure up that mageball with ease, I don’t believe you’ll have any side effects from the antidote. It would have shown up sooner.” Gray concentrated on the needles after pulling on some gloves and collecting a few other items. After turning things off, he pulled one needle and pressed down hard with some folded gauze on Solomon’s arm to stop the bleeding. Then he added a brief pulse of magic to seal it. He repeated it with the second needle.

“Why multiple needles?”

“We had to pump multiple bags of saline and various types of medication into you at an increased volume to stabilize you. Giving us an additional access point made things a little easier and less stressful on your body. We didn’t want the vein to blow-out in the middle of something vital,” Gray said and pulsed his magic again.

“That’s everything, doctor,” the nurse said.

“Thanks for your help, as always, Izzy. I’ll take care of the rest.”

With a smile, the nurse left the room.

Gray adjusted the bed a couple of different ways. “Try to sit up. Take it easy.”

Solomon did what Gray ordered. He rolled his shoulders to work out the kinks. Then he twisted to one side and back to the other side and stretched until multiple vertebrae cracked and snapped. “Oh, that feels wonderful.”

“Sorry. We try to keep comfortable beds.”

“Doesn’t matter if you’re stuck in one position for days.”

“True. Keep going. Swing your legs around and lower them.”

Once again complying, Solomon wiggled a bit until he placed his feet on the ground.

“Let’s get you standing. This could shift around your equilibrium, so go slow again.” Gray moved his hands to support Solomon while he pushed himself into a standing position. “How are you feeling? Dizzy? Light-headed? Anything fuzzy?”

Solomon adjusted his glasses. “I feel stronger. No dizziness or anything. Not even a headache.”

“Think you’re up to taking a pee in the toilet to make sure all of it functions? Then you can have a shower on your own and changing clothes?”

“I can manage all that. Would kill for a shower and get out of this… gown?”

“Ease of access to the patient. Not a fashion statement,” Gray said. “There are towels and bath products in the bathroom.” He moved away from Solomon and pushed open a door. “You didn’t come in with luggage.”

“I have them in a magical pocket.” Solomon opened to his closet pocket along with a suitcase that appeared on the bed.

“Just one?”

“My traveling set of clothes. I have a trunk and another case in the magical closet pocket.”

“Figured with that closet of shoes I keep hearing about,” Grayson said.

“Had little else to spend currency. I indulged how I could. Books, clothes, and shoes.”

“After all this is over, do a little more.”

“Perhaps.”

“Call out if you need help,” Gray said before he left the room.

Moving to the suitcase, Sol selected a few things and went to the bathroom. First, he was grateful to relieve himself with no more tubes in unmentionable places. Tossing aside the skimpy hospital gown, he set his glasses on the counter and stepped into the shower. Standing under the hot spray of water, he closed his eyes and lifted his face toward the showerhead. He relished the simple pleasure of the water flowing across his body. The gentle amount of heat further relaxing him. Knowing time was short, he cleansed himself from his hair down to his feet and everything in between.

Drying himself, he dressed in fresh undergarments, moss green trousers, gray socks, and a gray button-down shirt. He scrubbed his face and teeth. Then concentrated on drying and styling his hair. He strapped on his watch and adjusted the time and day. Replacing his glasses, he returned to the room.

There was a knock on the outer door. “Are you decent?” Mac called out.

Solomon chuckled. “Come on in.”

Entering the room, Mac was no longer in scrubs or his white coat. He wore an outfit similar to Solomon, but chose a henley-styled shirt instead of a button-down. He also chose comfortable boots. “Grayson updated me. Everything looks wonderful health wise. You are looking much more refreshed.”

“Feel better. You forget how much you prefer to piss standing up.”

Mac chuckled. “Sorry about that tube, but no other way to help you at that moment of your healing.”

“Gray explained in a not-so-subtle way.”

“He would do that.”

Solomon sat in a chair and pulled on a gray pair of soft ankle boots, similar to the previous pair because they were comfortable. Then he tied the laces.

“I completed the search for your mother,” Mac said.

That was not what he expected to hear from Mac though he said go ahead with the search. Composing himself, Solomon looked up after finishing with the laces. Standing, he returned to the case where he selected the embroidered emerald green vest. “What did you find?”

Walking past Solomon, Mac went to a cabinet and pulled out a set of folded clothes. “We took these off you. Thought you might want them back.”

“Yes, you can drop them in the case.”

After setting the clothes in the case and pulling out the coat that Solomon chose, Mac adjusted the rest of the items. Then he closed the case. He laid the coat on the bed. “Your mother is alive. She divorced your father two annuals after your ‘death’.”

“She got free from him.”

“Yes. She got little from the divorce because of a strict prenuptial, but her family supported her decision and helped her through the difficult times. But that didn’t last long.”

“Really? Why?”

“She fell in love again. This time it was true love. The man is wonderful to her. She married a mage, Tadhg MacCoghlan.”

“Truly? That is wonderful. I’m pleased she found happiness.”

“There is more,” Mac said. “They have three children, two boys and a girl. Your half-siblings. One boy is classified as arcane, but remained with the family. Tadhg is actually from a branch of the Cadogans, connected by sisters at one point, and therefore…”

“Under your nana’s protection. Like Cian.”

“Tadhg’s a distant cousin, but Nana made sure all the bloodlines connected to her were protected. Unfortunately, there is a bit of sad news.”

“Like what?”

“He recently passed. It was quite sudden while he was at his architectural firm. A brain aneurysm burst.”

Solomon paused in buttoning the vest. “Oh, no.”

“She is widowed and remains in the home she shared with Tadhg and their children. The boys are in higher levels at a north-based academy. She kept her daughter in a nearby primary school. They live in Abbethan. I have the address,” Mac said.

“Perhaps I should speak with her before confronting the Carmine. If there is time. Let her know I’m alive. Maybe try to get her and her children to safety.”

“Meet your new siblings.”

“That sounds strange to me. Siblings. Been an orphan in my mind for so long. Though I love Bella and Julian like they were my sister and brother, but—” Solomon trailed off while he wavered on the thought.

“It’s different when you share a bloodline,” Mac finished.

“Yes.” Solomon shrugged. “Moving through the Central realms will be tricky. I might only get the one chance if I go through the Carnival.”

“About the Carnival and other things. Are you still traveling to the other realms on that list?” Mac asked.

“Yes. It’s part of the plan to heal the Central realms. I need a smooth and fast path through them without all the fuss of official gates and security checks. Don’t have time for that.” Solomon snapped his fingers to send the suitcase back to the pocket. He straightened down a sleeve of the jacket he chose. This one was a houndstooth pattern of moss green, gray, and a heather blue. “Where is my satchel?”

“Oh, back in that cabinet. I’ll get it.” Mac grabbed the satchel. He set it on the bed.

Upending the satchel, Solomon reorganized everything across the bed. “The goons at security dumped everything out of it to check everything because there wasn’t anyone in line after me.”

“Which is why they stretched it out and took their time,” Mac said.

“Something fluctuated in that security circle. Need to figure out what it was, but there isn’t time.” Solomon glanced up at Mac. “You’re not in your lab coat or scrubs.”

“No. I’m not.” Mac stepped closer and placed a hand on Solomon’s arm to stop him. “I’m joining you.”

“But—”

“No, I’m well aware of the danger at your side. But you will not face the rest of this on your own. I’m standing by your side until the very end. I’m already packed, my bags are in my magical pocket, and I’m stocked up with medical supplies in case we run into any goons, as you so politely called them.”

“Mac…”

“You can’t change my mind. Gray will be busy setting up the mobile lab with the techs and nurses. He sent out a realm wide message to all the laboratories and companies that explained what is happening along with a scanned version of some of the RASI packet’s information. We’re already accepting volunteers and more are arriving to prepare things. Three companies are working on the spectrum tubes. Some already created copies of that magical detector device Emrys sent us earlier.”

“What if there are Carmine spies?”

“All the owners, including Gray and I, are in agreement. We carefully search for any spies or defectors continuously. If anything pops up as strange, the individual is detained, interrogated, and thoroughly researched. There is a RASI office in the realm next to us and we work with them. The entire realm is clean. I swear.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am. Our plans will not leave the realm. Many other companies and laboratories are prepping teams and mobile labs to spread throughout the realms. They’ll deploy wherever you need them. I would have a RASI agent in charge of deployment. Even if most of the battle takes place in Abbethan, I’m sure there are other areas of dissent.”

“Of course. I’ll let Andre know.”

“Then you’ll let me join you?”

Solomon smiled when he met Mac’s determined gaze. “Looks like I can’t get rid of you.”

“No. You can’t.”

Stepping closer, Solomon slid his hand through Mac’s dark auburn hair to his nape. Then he tugged him closer until their lips met and pressed together.

Mac responded to the kiss. His hands grasped Solomon’s hips. A little taller than Solomon, he tipped his head down to let Solomon lean back.

Solomon’s mouth opened under Mac’s while he took over the kiss. He leaned into the scientist, one hand cupping the back of his neck, while the other now clutched at Mac’s shirt. A soft moan escaped as the kiss deepened.

They chased each other for another kiss after a brief parting.

Then, sighing, Solomon leaned his forehead against Mac’s shoulder while his fingers skated down Mac’s spine.

“Needed that,” Mac said.

“Same,” Solomon whispered.

A knock at the door and they pulled away from each other as Grayson walked in and wiggled his phone. He smiled at how they stood close.

“Not a word,” Mac said.

“Not one,” Grayson said. He mimic zipping his lips. Then he pointed to his phone. “Wanted to let you know I texted Emrys. He knows you’re up and moving, but said get a move on. Something about connecting to some vines and find a Carnival.”

“I’ll give them a heads up when I’m moving. My next step is going to meet the vines and their gemstones here.” Solomon stepped to one side of Mac and picked up his jacket. He swirled it around but before he put it in place, Mac stopped him.

“You can put your coat away. The North is in the warm season,” Mac said.

“Thanks.” Solomon sent the bag away along with his overcoat. Then he slung his satchel over his shoulder and pocketed the gem and paper. He adjusted his glasses. “Guess there’s no point in disguising myself.”

“Not while you travel through the North. We’ll see what happens when we get to the Carnival,” Mac said.

“You have quite a crowd gathering around the laboratory and the field where you first appeared. Seems a lot of folks are curious about this arcane mage that appeared out of the portal and changed everything overnight,” Gray said.

Solomon grumbled.

“We can take you to a different place,” Mac offered.

“No. No. They need to see what is happening.” Solomon opened one of the magical pockets and pulled out the small bag. He took a gemstone and the piece of paper with Gloriosa’s instructions. “Do you know what the gemstones are called here?”

“Yes. A lot of scientists study them. They are called Citrine Pear Helidinite, a beautiful yellow-orange color,” Gray said.

“What about a sentient plant?”

“No one has connected to one. There’s a pair of scientists out there. They research the gemstones and botany,” Gray said.

“That could help.”

Mac held out his hand.

Smiling, Solomon took Mac’s hand and threaded their fingers.

“Ready?”

Solomon nodded.