Page 132 of Moon Chosen

Mari grinned at Sora. “Then we’ll drag him back in here.”

“Well, there’s a bright spot in the evening. I’ll go get you that indigo root.” Sora paused at the door. Quietly, she said, “After this—after you heal the blight—can he leave then?”

“Yes. He can leave then.”

“Finally. I’ll be quick.”

***

“’Splain this to me again,” Nik slurred.

Mari took firm hold of her patience and answered him. Again. “I’ve repacked your wounds with the poultice my mother said cures the blight. But she also notes that the patient needs to spend time in the moonlight. So Sora and I are going to blindfold you again, and guide you to a place outside where you’ll be safe. I’ll give you a potion out there, and you can sit in the moonlight and cure the blight. Understand?”

“Nope,” he said sleepily. “Don’t. Understand.”

“How about this—you do what Mari says and you live. You don’t and you die. It’s really that simple,” Sora said. “Understand?”

Nik squinted at Sora, blinked several times, and then said. “You don’t like me.”

“Like has nothing to do with it. Trust does,” Sora said.

“I like Mari more than you.” Nik spoke slowly and carefully.

Mari covered her laugh with a cough. “What we’re asking you to do might seem strange to you, but my mother was a great Healer. Trust me, Nik. I know I can heal you.”

Nik’s mossy gaze met hers, and for a moment his eyes were completely lucid. “I trust you, Mari.”

Mari swallowed through the sudden dryness that filled her mouth. He was telling her the truth. Nik did trust her.

“I’m not going to let you down,” Mari said. “I am sorry that you’re going to have to walk. I know you’re in pain.”

“Hhhhhardly at all!” Nik slurred happily.

“Well, that’s good,” Mari said. “Okay, let’s get you to the door.” Nik leaned on her and they made their way slowly to the door. Before Sora opened it, Mari propped Nik against the wall of the burrow while she lifted the strip of cloth that she would tie around his head, covering his eyes.

“Don’t really need to do that,” Nik said, grinning at her. “Won’t tell anyone where you live.”

“No one can know where Healers live,” Mari told him. “Not even the Clan.”

“Sssseems fair I can’t either then. Okay! Blind me.”

He swayed forward so that Sora and Mari had to right him before he toppled over. Then, quickly, Mari tied the cloth around his face.

“Can Rigel come?” Nik asked, moving his head blindly around.

“Yes, of course. He’ll be right there with you while you soak up the moonlight,” Mari assured him.

“And soak up the potion,” Sora said in an exaggerated whisper.

“Sssssora, I do not trust,” Nik said.

“Sssh,” Mari told him. “Concentrate on staying upright and walking. Keep your arms close to me or to your side. We’re going to be walking through a lot of brambles. Got it?”

Nik nodded, which made him stagger—which also made him groan with pain as he stepped down too hard with his wounded leg.

“Hold tight to me.” Mari put his arm around her shoulder and slid her arm around his waist, taking weight off his leg.

“That’ssss better,” Nik said. “I like holding tight to you.”