Page 40 of Hope Forged
Silence met his call.
He kept himself afloat despite the pain, swirling from left to right. “Ziamee!”
“There is no need to yell,” Coll said, ushering Illan toCeleeri’smedical before he could blink.
“Ziamee—”
Coll nudged his chin at the med-E.D. where she hovered inside the pod. “Minor wounds. I will release her now. Yours requires immediate attention.”
Illan slumped, the relief like liquid warmth. Beside her on a fold-down table lay Amet, his eyes closed. Before him stood Ulta, running the med-gun over him. “Struggled to locate you three. I ported Seba the second he appeared on our scans.”
Illan grunted. It was as he’d expected. “How is he?”
“Healed, fed, and is bothering Brac for another haunch.” Coll chuckled. “The beast stays on his heels and will not leave him alone.”
“Does she know?” Illan asked, scanning her to ensure she was fully healed.
“Yes, of course. Seba took her to the floor as soon as Ulta ported her to me.” Coll tapped on his console, lowering her to the bed as the dome withdrew.
She sat up, her eyes wide. The smile she bestowed on Illan cracked open his heart. She scrambled off the bed and hurried to his side, helping him climb into the med-E.D. Coll carried Illan more than she ever could, but he valued her presence, her scent filling his lungs and doing much to calm him. He released the tension knotting his shoulders. It took longer for his body to realize that danger was no more.
No doubt when he awoke, all would be well. He grimaced, not wanting Ziamee out of his sight. “Can you heal me without sleep?”
Coll stilled and cast a glance at a distracted Ziamee. “It will be painful. I must utilize nano-meds…”
“Do it,” Illan whispered, his gaze on Ziamee, who swiveled her attention between him and her father.
“How do you feel?” she asked, running her fingers across his forearm.
“I have been better,” he said and forced a grin.
“None of that was fun.” She peered over her shoulder at Seba, who’d cornered Brac at the rehydrator. “But we were successful.” She stroked Illan’s knuckles with her thumb. “Thank you, all of you,” she said, glancing at Coll and Ulta.
“When Illan is well, we will return your father to the med-E.D. for a full nutrient replenishment.” Coll opened the nano-med vial and placed it on Illan’s chest. “Lie still.” He dipped his head. “I mean it, Illan. One twitch, and I will put you under.”
“Acknowledged, Medic Coll.”
“That was close,” Ziamee said, gesturing to her father. “How… How is he, Coll?”
“He is well, Lady Ziamee.” Coll tapped his tablet, then strode behind a wall of display vids. “Dehydration, malnutrition, and stress are as expected. He carries the same parasites you did. His bones are also healing well, and considering what he must have endured, I would like to keep him sedated until morning.”
She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “He’s probably exhausted.”
“But he is here… Alive,” Illan said, giving her fingers a squeeze.
Her smile was tremulous, then blossomed into breathtaking beauty. “Yes.” She scanned the common, encompassing any males in the vicinity. “I can’t thank you enough.”
An unexpected pressure built in Illan’s chest, then agony slammed into him. It took all his concentration not to move a limb, to crush her hand, to whimper. The pain…was excruciating. He kept his focus on her.
“Illan, hold on,” Coll said, his voice distant.
Heat flooded Illan’s veins, and blessed relief followed.
“I have diverted a few to the pain receptors in your brain. It will not shield you for all of it, but it should soften the healing process.”
Illan flicked a gaze at Coll, trying not to move. “Why did you not say so sooner?”
“This might extend the time you spend on this bed.”
