Chapter 50 Tending Wounds
Amara’s POV
As the trees above us merged into a canopy of dark green and gold, my eyes slowly opened. I sensed Kian's powerful arms encircling me. As if I were something valuable, he held me tight to his chest while he carried me through the jungle. His heart pounded firmly and steadily against my cheek.
I said, "You don't have to carry me."
"Yes," he responded quietly. “You fainted.” Once more.
I attempted, but was unable, to smile. "I apologise."
His voice was tense as he continued, "Stop apologising." "You entered the wilderness by yourself. You contacted ancient magic. You have no idea how terrified I was."
With the altar still vivid in my imagination, I whispered, "I had to find answers." "And I did."
He took a while to respond. He continued to walk while holding me closer. As the boundaries of Obsidian Pack's domain approached, the forest started to disappear.
Eventually, he continued, "You could have died." What if you hadn't been found by me? "
I looked up at him and said quietly, "But you did."
He tightened his jaw. "That isn't the purpose."
The clearing behind the packhouses was where we came out of the forest. When the patrolling warriors saw us, they froze—Kian, his shirt saturated from my perspiration and the faint blood trails from my arms, and me, pallid and spotted with brilliant silver lines.
An elder came hurrying forward. "What took place?"
"She's okay," Kian said. "She simply needs to sleep."
Eyes darted to my blazing marks, and people began whispering. Suddenly overcome, I hid my face in Kian's shoulder. It was too much—the looks, the whispers, the condemnation.
Kian glared at them all, saying, "She needs space."
The throng dispersed.
I was brought directly into the healer's hut by him. Mira's eyes were wide as she waited. "Oh, the moon is above... Amara.”
I made an effort to say, "I'm fine."
"You're not," Kian yelled. “In the bushes, she fainted. By themselves. She made contact with something strong. Take a look at her arms.”
Leaning closer, Mira traced the light markings with shaky fingertips. "Antiquated magic... lunar writings. She received a little of the goddess's power from the altar.”
Kian gently placed me on the bed. “Is she in danger? "
Mira scowled. "No. However, she has evolved. There is a price for this kind of magic.”
I extended my arm to take Kian's hand. "I remain who I am."
His eyes were filled with pain as he looked down at me. “So why does it seem like I'm losing you already?"
I was at a loss for words.
Mira pressed my forehead with a moist cloth. “She needs to relax and rest. Don't fight. No tension.”
Kian mumbled as he turned to face the door, "That's going to be hard."
He was bothered by something. "What is it?"
At first, he didn't respond. "Rowan will see me carrying you like this," he said. “And I am aware of the consequences for him.”
My eye was fixed on the ceiling. My heart hurt. "He must comprehend. This is not what I chose.”
My face was swept clear of hair by Kian. "He won't give a damn. Amara, you are loved by him, the same as I do.”
With a tight throat, I turned my head away. "That is the issue."
I heard a howl in the distance outside. A well-known one.
Rowan had noticed us.
And I could sense the storm approaching already.
My chest constricted as soon as Rowan's shriek reverberated. Despite Mira's cautions, I ignored the searing pain in my muscles and sat up. I felt as though my heart was racing to keep up with the impending danger.
Mira put a kind touch on my shoulder and said quietly, "Stay lying down." "You're not strong enough to handle this at this time."
"I must," I said.
Before anyone could stop him, the door exploded open. With strange and wide eyes, Rowan stood there. He saw me sitting up in the healer's bed with Kian standing by my side, still holding my hand, and my arms shimmering slightly with silvery marks.
Rowan's expression contorted. "You located her. You brought her back? "
"I did," Kian stated in a composed yet forceful tone.
Rowan snarled and entered the room, saying, "You had no right." “She fled away from us both. You trailed after her like a hound.”
"Out there, she would have perished!” Kian yelled. "You didn't even realise she was gone because you were too busy pouting."
"That is unfair!” Rowan yelled. "You have no right to paint me as the bad guy!"
"Stop it!” I shouted, causing the walls to tremble. "Stop, you two!"
They went cold.
Despite my shivering body and weak legs, I stood and faced them both. "I'm not something that two alphas can battle for! I choose to travel on my own. I couldn't breathe here anymore, so I walked to the forest to look for answers. With your eyes on me, I was unable to concentrate. I was unable to feel like myself.”
Kian cast his eye downward. Rowan's hands gradually relaxed.
I said, "You both claim to love me." However, all I sense is pressure. I just heard fighting. I had to discover my strength.”
Kian took a step ahead. "You did. I don't know anyone as strong as you.”
Rowan lowered his voice. "Amara, we're not attempting to exert control over you. We simply are afraid of losing you.”
"I'm afraid, too," I said. "But if we're constantly at war with one another, we can't win this war."
Another scout, his face splattered with blood and mud, pulled away the tent flap. He gasped, "The army." "They're on their way."
Rowan's head jerked in his direction. “How near? "
Not far past the eastern ridge. “There are hundreds of them. Witches, cursed wolves, and creatures I have never seen before.”
Kian said an expletive. "They've had enough waiting."
Mira's eyes clouded with worry as she looked at me. "You're not prepared."
"I have no other option," I said. "None of us do."
The ground outside started to shake. There was a deep, rumbling rumble beneath our feet, like thousands of footsteps. Through my magic and my bones, I sensed it.
Then, like smoke across my skin, I heard Lilith's voice, whispering through the wind.
"I'm on my way, moonchild. Burn or shine for me.”
I gasped.
I took a step toward the direction of the storm, the roar, and the flap.
"I'll fight," I declared. "For the group. For the two of you. For me.”
As the first fireballs illuminated the dark horizon, they trailed me outside, and the three of us stepped out into the chilly night air.
Obsidian was the site of the battle.
And I wouldn't run this time.