Chapter 15
15 Chapter 15 Written In Blood And
Pain
Faye’s POVO
The medical tent reeked of copper and desperation. Blood had soaked into the canvas floor despite my best efforts to keep the space clean. Rain hammered the roof in relentless waves, each drop a reminder that this storm showed no mercy to either side of the battlefield.
My hands trembled as I wiped them on a bloodstained
cloth. Seven wounded soldiers. Seven men who should
have died tonight, their bodies torn apart by claws and fangs designed to kill. Deep gashes that exposed bone. Poison-tipped arrows buried in vital organs. Throats ripped open so violently that speaking should have been impossible.
Yet here they were, breathing. Walking. Ready to fight again.
I had done that. My healing gift had pulled them back
from death’s doorstep, knitting flesh and bone together like they were never broken. The familiar warmth that usually flowed through my palms felt different tonight though. Weaker. Like a candle flame guttering in the wind.
Pride warmed my chest for a brief moment. Seven lives saved. Seven warriors returned to their pack. But the satisfaction felt hollow somehow, incomplete in a
way I couldn’t name.
My vision swam at the edges. The lanterns flickered, their light seeming to pulse with my heartbeat. I
pressed my palms against my knees, trying to steady myself as Parker lifted the last patient in his powerful
arms.
“Take him to the recovery area,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the storm.
Parker nodded with military precision. “Yes, ma’am.” His armor gleamed as he turned toward the tent entrance, carrying the unconscious lieutenant like he weighed nothing.
I needed to stand. Check on the other patients.
Prepare for the next wave of wounded.
The world lurched sideways.
Cold rushed through my veins like ice water. My knees gave out without warning, the ground rushing up to meet me. But instead of hitting canvas and mud, strong arms caught me mid-fall.
Hardy.
His grip was iron-steady, pulling me against his chest before I could crash to the ground. When had he moved so close? Had he been watching me struggle this entire time, waiting for me to collapse?
Heat flooded my cheeks. Seven soldiers. Out of thousands in his army, I had managed to save seven. The number felt pathetic now, inadequate for someone who claimed to possess a rare healing gift.
“You should have told me you were reaching your limit,” he said, his voice carrying that familiar edge of command mixed with something else. Irritation, maybe. Or disappointment,
“I’m not at my limit,” I lied, hating how breathless I
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sounded. “I can heal more tonight. Just bring me the next patient p>
His arms tightened around me. “You’re shaking p>
“I’m not p>
“Look at your hands p>
I glanced down. My fingers were trembling like leaves in a hurricane, completely beyond my control. Damn
Hardy’s scent surrounded me, all cold steel and smoke and something darker that made my pulse race for reasons I refused to examine. His warmth seeped through my damp clothes, grounding me in a way that felt dangerously comfortable.
Allen approached from across the tent, concern creasing his weathered features. “She looks ready to collapse p>
“I said I’m fine,” I repeated through gritted teeth. “Parker can bring in the next wounded soldier. I just need a moment to catch my breath p>
Hardy studied my face with those penetrating gray
eyes that seemed to see straight through every lie I Discover more novels at
told myself. Without a word, he guided me to a nearby chair, his hand steady under my elbow until I sank into
the worn canvas seat.
The distance helped, even if it was only a few feet.
“Seven critical saves tonight,” Allen reported, glancing toward the tent flap where Parker had disappeared. “Wounds that would have killed even Alpha-blood warriors. Their recovery time is unprecedented p>
Hardy didn’t look away from me. His intense stare made my stomach twist with uncertainty. Was seven too few? Did he think my ability wasn’t worth the resources he was spending to protect me?
“Combat readiness?” he asked Allen.
“They’ll be ready to fight within the hour. Maybe sooner. Whatever she did, it worked better than anything I’ve seen in thirty years of battlefield medicine p>
Hardy’s jaw tightened slightly. “Good. We’ll need every able body p>
“The situation remains challenging,” Allen continued, his voice dropping to a tactical whisper. “Visibility is nearly zero, the rain has turned everything to mud, and the Raven Deons know this forest better than we do. Our men are fighting blind while they move like ghosts p>
“Because they’re not trying to win quickly,” Hardy said, his eyes narrowing. “They want to bleed us slowly. Break morale. Make us question whether we can protect anyone p>
A chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the storm. He was right. Every warrior I had healed tonight held a high rank. Lieutenants. Squad leaders. Men whose loss would ripple through the entire northern command.
Someone was sending a message written in blood and pain.
“I can keep going,” I said quietly, gripping the chair arms to stop my hands from shaking. “Just give me five minutes p>
Hardy’s expression hardened. “No. You’ve done
enough for one night p>
“But your men need p>
“Faye.” My name cut through the air like a blade. Not shouted, but carrying enough authority to silence any argument. “Rest p>
I nodded reluctantly, swallowing my protests. I had to prove my worth somehow. Seven soldiers felt like such a small contribution when thousands more might need my help before dawn.
“Including Parker, we have seven fully healed
lieutenants ready for deployment,” Allen summarized. “If we move within the next few hours, before sunrise, we might catch them off guard p>
Before I could stop myself, words tumbled from my mouth. “I can help you with that p>
Every head in the tent turned toward me. My cheeks burned with embarrassment and determination in equal measure.
“Speak,” Hardy commanded.
I lifted my chin, meeting his steel-gray gaze directly. “I
know this terrain better than anyone. Every trail, every shortcut, every place they might try to ambush
you p>
A voice called from outside the tent. “My lord, Luna Eileen and Lady Sally request an audience p>
Morh Lucia
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.