Chapter 61 She will be fine
~ Lyra's POV ~
The moment I placed my hand on his head, I felt a violent pull deep within my spirit, as though I was being dragged into a struggle against something far stronger than I was.
It felt like an unseen force was resisting me, pushing back with a strength that made my chest tighten and my breath hitch. Even then, I did not pull away. I stayed where I was, grounding myself in the faint but undeniable sense that his condition was improving beneath my touch.
When he finally opened his eyes, the relief that washed over me was immediate, but it was short lived.
I pulled my hand away and instantly realized that every ounce of strength I had possessed moments ago was gone. It felt as though I had been hollowed out from the inside.
My vision swam, my balance failed me, and I staggered backward as my knees buckled beneath my weight. I would have collapsed onto the floor if Kael had not caught me just in time, his arms firm around me as he steadied my failing body.
“Are you okay?” he asked urgently, his eyes scanning my face with open worry.
I could hear him clearly, but I couldn't respond right away. My thoughts felt slow and scattered as I tried to understand what was happening to me. The weakness was overwhelming, unnatural, and frightening. I had healed before, but I had never felt this drained, never felt so completely emptied afterward.
“Lyra?” he called again, his voice sharper now. “Talk to me.”
“I think I'm fine,” I managed to say at last, though my voice sounded distant even to my own ears. “I just feel extremely weak.”
Even as I said the words, my body betrayed me. My limbs felt heavy, my head throbbed, and my eyelids grew unbearably heavy, as though sleep was dragging me under against my will.
“Lyra,” Kael called again, his voice breaking slightly as he lifted me fully off the ground. I barely registered the movement as he carried me and gently laid me on one of the beds in the room. The world felt muted, as though I were sinking beneath water.
“What is going on with her?” I heard him ask, his voice sounding distant and strained.
“I am not entirely sure, Alpha,” Kaitlyn replied, her tone calm but concerned. “She said she feels weak. Maybe she just needs to rest.”
Her words faded as darkness closed in around me. My awareness slipped away completely, and everything went black.
~ Kael's POV ~
“TAREN,” I called out through mindlink, my voice echoing with a sharp edge of panic I could not suppress. I had never been so frightened in my entire life, not even in battles where death hovered close. I needed answers, and I needed them immediately, before the dread crushing my chest completely swallowed me whole.
“Alpha,” Taren responded at once, his voice steady but alert, as though he sensed the urgency bleeding through the link.
“Get in here now,” I ordered, leaving no room for questions or delays.
I severed the link and fixed my eyes on Lyra’s face, refusing to look away even for a second. Her features were too still, too pale, and fear wrapped tightly around my heart as I waited for the one person I believed could tell me what was happening to her.
From the corner of my vision, I noticed Elder Rowan. He slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, his movements stiff, his expression clouded with confusion as though he had awakened from a long and disorienting sleep.
Kaitlyn hurried back to his side immediately, her hands gentle but firm as she checked on him, murmuring reassurances I could not quite hear. At that same moment, Taren walked into the room.
“Alpha,” he called out, his tone respectful as always, but his steps faltered when his gaze landed on Lyra lying unconscious on the bed. His expression shifted instantly, seriousness settling over his features as he took in the sight before him.
“What’s happening to her?” I asked, the words leaving my mouth more sharply than I intended. When he continued to stare at me with a puzzled expression, I forced myself to explain. “She healed Elder Rowan and passed out immediately after,” I added, hoping the context would bring clarity.
“Did she say anything before passing out?” Taren asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as his mind clearly began to work through possibilities.
“She only said she felt weak. That’s all,” I replied. I searched his face for reassurance, but the lack of understanding there left me uncertain, unsure whether to feel hopeful or prepare myself for the worst.
“I think I might have an idea, but I am not certain this is what is happening with her,” Taren said slowly, his brows drawing together in a tight frown. “I have heard that every time a healer heals, it takes something from them. Sometimes it takes their energy, and sometimes it takes a portion of their life force.”
My heart dropped. Life force? What does that even mean?
“Will she be alright?” Elder Rowan asked before I could speak. He had walked closer to us without me even noticing, his concern evident despite his own recent brush with death.
“I want to believe so,” Taren replied honestly. “I was not taught about this, so my knowledge is quite limited.” His words only added fuel to the chaos raging in my chest, and my fear deepened rather than eased.
“I believe she will be fine,” Kaitlyn said firmly, finally breaking the tension. “She is breathing normally, and her skin color has not changed. She should recover after a few hours of rest. I will keep a close eye on her.” Her calm confidence brought a small but much needed measure of relief to my heart.
“Are you suggesting I leave her here with you?” I asked, unwilling to be separated from Lyra without first understanding exactly how this will play out.
“No,” Kaitlyn replied immediately. “Her room will be more comfortable for her. I will finish up here and then spend the rest of the day there until she is fully better.”
“Okay,” I said, nodding once. Without another moment of hesitation, I stepped forward and carefully lifted Lyra into my arms. I had just settled her weight against my chest when I noticed the strange looks being exchanged between them.
“I don't think that is a good idea, Kael,” Elder Rowan said gently. “Perhaps Taren should take her back to her room.” I didn't need an interpreter to understand the meaning behind his words, nor the unspoken boundaries he was reminding me of.
Reluctantly, I handed Lyra’s sleeping form to Taren. He accepted her with the utmost care, cradling her as though she were made of glass. Without a single word, he turned and headed for the door.
“How do you feel?” I finally asked Elder Rowan, only then remembering that moments ago he had been at death’s door.
“I feel great,” he answered with a reassuring smile. “And I am sorry this happened. Have some faith. She will be fine.” He placed his palm firmly on my shoulder, the gesture grounding and sincere.
I could not accept any outcome other than Lyra being fine, so I nodded, clinging to that belief with everything I had.
Kaitlyn exited through the back door to tend to the other patients, leaving Elder Rowan and me alone. I opened my mouth to ask him a question that had been forming in my mind, but the words never made it past my lips. A sudden disturbance drew our attention, and it came from the direction of the exit Taren had just taken.