Sage laughs. “I’m sure. And the pain?”
“Tolerable. Ortak gave me that nasty water.”
“Elodie says it tastes like ass,” Gannen announces.
The female in question groans, while the healer laughs once more. “Yeah, it pretty much does. Sorry about that, but I swear it will help you forget the pain. Now, how about some broth to chase away the taste?”
In reply, a long, rumbling noise comes from Elodie whose face brightens in color. “That sounds great, thank you.”
I place my hand on Gannen’s shoulder. “Now that the healer has returned, we will leave you in peace. I am glad you are feeling better.”
With a gentle tug, I guide him from the tent, ignoring Elodie speaking my name. There is no longer any reason from us to remain. She is receiving the care to help her get well. In the morning, Gannen and I will return to our village and the female will heal and return to the human settlement the way it is supposed to be.
Chapter 4
Elodie
Ortak doesn’t look back once while he tugs his son out of the tent, although Gannen glances back at me the entire time until they disappear from my sight. Sage sighs.
“I’m sure it was nothing personal,” she says. “The Krijese struggle with being social. Well, the adults anyway. It’s not something they’re used to, although I know a few of them try.”
I draw my gaze away from the door flap and turn to the other human, trying to hide the hurt I’m feeling, even if I don’t know why. It’s not like I even know Ortak. Yeah, maybe he saved my life, but he’s still a veritable stranger. “It’s fine. He doesn’t owe me anything.”
A brief uncomfortable silence falls. Sage finally clears her throat. “I brought you some broth. I’m not sure how long you were stuck in that hole, but given the condition you were in, I’d say at least a couple days.”
I gape at her. “A couple days?”
“I can’t tell for certain, but I do know you’re an extremely lucky woman that Ortak and Gannen found you when they did.”
Well, shit.
Sage offers me the bowl. Whatever’s inside smells delicious. Remembering how I almost dropped the cup of water earlier, I cringe. “Um, I’m not sure I can hold onto that for very long.”
“I’m happy to assist you.”
My stomach aches for it, but the thought of being spoon-fed like a baby is a little humiliating. It was bad enough having Ortak help me drink. I don’t think I could handle it if he was still here and having to feed me as well.
“Hey,” Sage says gently. “It’s okay to need some help until you’re stronger. You’ve been through an ordeal.”
I sag in acceptance, because she’s right. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Despite the continued embarrassment, I let Sage feed me until I can’t swallow any more and my stomach is full. From the looks of it, I barely managed to choke down half of it.“That was delicious. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.” She sets the bowl on the neighboring platform. “Zander sent word to the human settlement that you’re here and recovering, in case you had family back there who were worried.”
I shake my head. “There’s no one. Just me.”
“Alice was grateful for the news.”
At least someone was. “Yeah, she’s sort of a friend, I suppose.”
Sage drags over a stump and settles onto it. “Do you remember what happened?”
“No.” I wish people would stop asking me that.
“What is the last thing you remember?”
