Page 38 of A Cursed Heart
Caring For Tiny Humans
Malacoda
Ryanbeingsofarfrom me felt wrong. Did he not wonder why our bond could stretch that far? Had he figured out my lie? Would he stop me from sleeping in his bed at night? I hoped with everything I was that he would not. The closeness of sleeping next to another being was special to me. Made more so by it being Ryan.
Our talk the night before had brought down walls between us. Though I had not detailed all my misdeeds, I had told Ryan enough for him to gain a sense of my character. Whatever hesaw there he must have liked, because once again, we awoke wrapped around each other.
I spent my day being useful to him instead of a burden. With the internet at my fingertips, I had learned much about the world to fill the gaps in my knowledge. Humans were a wonder with their ability and desire to share information, to teach others’ useful skills. I watched many videos on how to perform basic tasks, thus removing many of the burdens from Ryan’s shoulders.
There was peace in my role supporting Ryan. Though I had power to harm, I had never created anything. I found that I liked making his home better, more comfortable. Maybe the novelty would wear off once this was all over and I would get bored, but I believed I could find something else to occupy my time and Ryan would help me do that.
He seemed to appreciate my efforts in his home. I think much of his comfort came from how happy Freya was in my presence. I had always been popular with children. When Dadga had his own young, I had grieved my chance to be an uncle to them. If I had not fallen for the lies about my oldest brother, then would things have been different?
It was foolish to wonder how life would have been. My path had been chosen for me long ago, and I would not have met Ryan if I had been a better brother.
Once Ryan left, it was almost impossible for me not to chase after him. If it weren’t for Freya, I would have. Ryan had left his most precious treasure in my care, so I had to take my mission seriously.
Keeping my ears open for what was happening in the car, I read Freya her story, then she curled up in her bed to go to sleep with her chosen sounds for the night. She really was a sweet child. Very easy to like and spend time with. She was quickly becoming my second favorite human. Given time, Lydia wouldbe the third. She had done an outstanding job bandaging up my hand, after all. When I had healed it after her ministrations, she had not complained, only quirked her lips in good humor.
Choosing Ryan had been the greatest decision of my life.
His meeting with Salvatore was tense. Ryan did an admirable job of lying through his teeth and working to get the proof he required to earn his freedom. He was remarkable. Soon the tension eased in the office while Ryan worked on his plan. Other things at home demanded my attention.
My senses were better than a human’s. From the living room, I could hear Freya tossing and turning in her bed even over the noise machine. Of course, I had not been in their apartment long, but I suspected this was unusual behavior for her. Perhaps I was being more alert to her because I was being trusted by Ryan. I did not want to let him down.
Inside her room, I noticed she had finally settled down. On closer inspection, I realized she was sweating. My instincts told me this was strange because the room was on the cooler side. Ryan had provided me with a tablet to use the internet. I used the search function and immediately became alarmed. Freya could have a fever. She could be sick!
It took me some time to locate the thermometer. While it would have been simpler to tell Ryan about Freya’s potential fever, I did not want to alarm him unnecessarily and cause him to lose focus. In the bathroom, where the first aid kit lay, there were all sorts of medicines and also the device to read Freya’s temperature.
On my return to her room, I noticed she had kicked off the blankets. A worrying sign. I used the device. It flashed yellow and gave me a numerical reading. A low fever, though still troubling. I returned to the bathroom to check out the medicines. The names and doses were too confusing for me to understand. Were all humans trainee healers?
Torn because I wanted to reserve magic for Ryan, I went back and forth over whether I should heal the child and risk needing more magic later, or if I should call Lydia and ask her advice for which medicines I should give Freya.
Eventually, it really felt like hours had passed, though it was merely half an hour, I chose to heal Freya and risk running low on my magic. I rationalized the decision by reminding myself how quickly I replenished my magic around Ryan. Hopefully, he would not feel tricked and allow me to sleep next to him. It really was safest for us all. Calling Lydia would have been a poor choice. She would be critical of Ryan’s leaving Freya in my care. Besides, healing was easy, and it would demonstrate how carefully I looked after her.
I returned to her room, done with my pacing in the hall, and crouched at the side of her bed. I laid my hand on her forehead, feeling the heat of her skin.
“Daddy?” she rasped. Once the healing was done, I would get her some water.
“No, dear Freya. It’s Mal.”
“Mal?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t feel good.”
It was a wonder she did not ask for her father. Though we had closely bonded, Ryan was always first in her heart. “No. You’re a sick little princess. I can help. Do you remember when you called me a demon?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, I would like to use my demon magic to heal you.”
“Okay. My head hurts.”
“Mal is going to make it better. I just have to let my tail and horns out. Would you like to see them?”
“Yeah.”
