Chapter 84 Chapter 84
Tiana
“I’m afraid I have some news.”
Healer Iris’s voice carried a tone that immediately made my stomach tighten with anxiety.
I sat up straighter on the examination table, my hands instinctively moving to my stomach. “Is something wrong? With the pup?”
“No, no.” She waved a hand, then let out a soft chuckle. “Nothing like that. The pup is fine. This is about me, actually.”
The relief was immediate but short-lived as I waited for her to continue.
“I’ve been summoned for a sacred pilgrimage,” Iris explained, moving to organize her instruments. “It’s required of all senior healers every decade. We take a journey to the Moon Temple to renew our oaths and receive blessings from the Goddess.”
“Oh.” I processed that information slowly. “How long will you be gone?”
“Six to eight weeks, depending on travel conditions and how long the ceremonies take.” She glanced at me, and I saw something that might have been an apology in her eyes. “I know the timing isn’t ideal. You’re still in your first trimester, and I would prefer to be here for the entire pregnancy. But the summons can’t be ignored or delayed.”
Six to eight weeks. Almost two months without the healer I had grown comfortable with.
“When do you leave?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Three days.” Iris set down the instrument she had been holding and turned to face me fully. “But I’ve already arranged for a replacement. Someone highly qualified who can handle your care while I’m away.”
“A replacement.”
“Yes. Her name is Senna. She’s been practicing for over thirty years, has extensive experience with difficult pregnancies, and comes with excellent references from the northern territories.” Iris’s expression was reassuring. “You’ll be in good hands.”
I nodded because what else could I do? Object to a sacred pilgrimage? Demand Iris stay when the Moon Goddess herself had summoned her?
“When can I meet her?” I asked instead.
“Now, actually. I asked her to come by so I could introduce you both before I leave.” Iris moved to the door and opened it slightly. “Senna? Could you come in, please?”
The woman who entered was probably in her mid-fifties, with silver-streaked dark hair pulled back in a bun, and had calm eyes. She was shorter than Iris but carried herself with the same quiet confidence that marked experienced healers.
“Luna Tiana,” she said, her voice warm as she crossed the room. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“This is Healer Senna,” Iris said. “She’ll be overseeing your prenatal care while I’m away.”
Senna smiled, and it seemed genuine enough. “I’ve reviewed your medical history and the treatment records. Healer Iris has been very thorough in her documentation. I don’t anticipate any issues maintaining your care schedule.”
I took a moment to respond, wondering if I could work with Senna.
“Luna Tiana?” Iris’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Sorry.” I forced a smile. “Just… pregnancy hormones. I’ve been feeling off lately.”
“That’s completely normal,” Senna replied. “The first trimester is often the hardest. All those changes happening so quickly can leave you feeling disoriented.”
“You are right.” I shook my head.
“Why don’t we do a quick examination now?” Iris suggested. “That way Senna can familiarize herself with your current status, and you can get comfortable with her process.”
I nodded, lying back on the table while both healers moved around me.
Senna’s hands were gentle as she checked my vitals, examined my abdomen, and asked the standard questions about symptoms and discomfort.
She seemed to know exactly what she was doing, moving with the confidence of someone who’d done this hundreds of times before.
“Everything looks excellent,” she said after a few minutes. “The pup is developing right on schedule. Your body is adjusting well to the pregnancy. No signs of complications.”
“That’s good,” I managed.
“I’ll want to see you weekly while Healer Iris is away,” Senna continued, making notes. “Just to monitor progress and make sure you’re managing the symptoms. Does that work with your schedule?”
“Yes. That’s fine.”
“Excellent.” She smiled again, and again it looked perfectly natural. “I know transitions can be difficult, especially during pregnancy. But I promise to take good care of you and your pup.”
“Thank you,” I said.
After the examination, Iris walked me through Senna’s credentials again, emphasizing her experience and expertise.
She told me I could send for Senna any time, day or night, if I had concerns. Then promised to return as quickly as possible.
I nodded through it all, trying to look reassured when I felt anything but that about Iris going.
“I should go,” I said finally, needing to escape the suddenly too-small examination room. “I have Luna duties to attend to.”
“Of course.” Iris squeezed my hand. “Take care of yourself, Luna. And don’t hesitate to call for Senna if you need anything.”
I left quickly, my steps echoing in the empty corridor.
I’d made it maybe twenty paces when I realized I’d forgotten my napkin. I turned back, intending to retrieve it quickly.
Then I saw Senna standing in the examination room doorway, her back to the corridor. In her hands was something small that glowed with a faint, sickly green light.
She was smiling as she looked at whatever it was.
“Healer Senna?”
My voice made her spin around so fast that she nearly dropped whatever she was holding. The green glow vanished instantly. I could not tell if it was hidden or extinguished.
And everything about the shift in her sudden response made me nervous.
“Luna Tiana!” Her expression shifted seamlessly back to pleasant surprise. “Did you forget something?”
“My napkin.” I moved closer, trying to see what she had been holding. But her hands were empty now. “I left it on the chair.”
“Of course. Let me get that for you.”
She moved back into the room, then came back with it, smiling.
“Here you are.”
“Thank you.” I took the napkin, my eyes searching her face for any sign of what I had seen.
When I saw nothing, I went on to ask. “What was that? Just now. The thing you were holding.”
“Thing?” She tilted her head. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“It was glowing. Green. You were looking at it and smiling.”
“Oh!” Her expression cleared. “You must have seen me checking the moonstone reserves. Some of them glow green when they’re fully charged. I was just verifying our supply before Healer Iris leaves.” She laughed lightly. “I am sorry if it startled you.”
“Oh,” I shook my head. “It got me worried for a light moment.”
“I’m sorry if I did that.” Healer Senna’s shoulders relaxed and a wide smile spread on her face.
I shook my head, satisfied with her response. “Great then, I’ll be leaving.”
“That’s fine, Luna. And please, remember you have nothing to worry about.”