Healer's Touch (Deadly Touch #1) [Complete]

Chapter 11: The Child

They followed Aris up the carpeted staircase. Llew had never seen such opulence: the stairs were bordered by an ornate wooden balustrade, and the walls were covered in richly colored floral wallpaper. Throughout, there was a warmth and sense of comfort that made her feel she never wanted to leave.

Although the stairwell was impressive, she was nevertheless unprepared for Aris's room. A luscious beige carpet covered the floor, while heavy red and gold drapes framed the windows, and the matching bed covers shone against the dark polished oak paneling and carved bedposts.

"I thought we deserved to recuperate in the best Osurnu had to offer," Aris said, noting the way they were taking in their surroundings.

"And to show us what we'll be missing when we get back to reality?" asked Cassidy.

"So, what happened?" Aris asked, ignoring Cassidy's comment.

Anya sat in one of the large armchairs, which were upholstered in the same material as the curtains, and waited expectantly to hear what had happened since she, Aris and Emylia had left the others behind.

Jonas briefly described their encounter with the riders, how they were surrounded, yet prevailed. When he got to the part about Cassidy's injury, Aris studied the young man, seeming unconvinced that he had been struck down so severely.

"We all thought he was a goner, for sure," said Alvaro.

"But Jonas said it wasn't—" Cassidy paled slightly.

"But then Llew put a hand on him and, wow! He just healed right up."

"Well, Llew, it doesn't look like you can keep your secret any longer." Aris walked to the window, taking in the gray evening. "But I think we will discuss it after you have all had a chance to wash up. There's a bathhouse attached to this place. When you're all presentable, we can talk about it over dinner." He turned back to face them, taking in the disappointed expressions of Cassidy, Alvaro and Anya. "We will talk about it. Now go. And Jonas, stay with Llew. I don't want Braph taking us by surprise."

Jonas nodded and moved toward the door as Alvaro asked, "Who's Braph?"

"Something we'll discuss over dinner," said Aris. "And get Emylia to take care of that," he said, nodding at Jonas's shoulder. Llew hadn't realized he'd been injured. She could have fixed it for him. She still could.

Aris shook his head. "Only seven men. That shouldn't have happened."

Jonas shrugged, though he looked a little guilty. Llew didn't understand.

"That is why you don't heal Aenuks. Could be days before you're back to full power."

Oh.

Llew felt herself being tugged from the room and turned to see Anya's hand gripping her shirt, dragging her toward the girls' room.

"What are you doing?"

"Do you have another shirt?" Anya waved her other hand up and down, indicating Llew's bloodied ensemble. "We're going to find you something to wear." She pulled Llew into the room and began sifting through clothes in a travel bag.

The room was almost identical to Aris's, except that the color scheme was a rich royal blue.

"What's the story?" Jonas leaned against the door frame.

"Ah, here it is!" Anya stood up with a bundle of material in her hands. She let it fall open and held it up before Llew.

"A dress?" said Llew.

"Nice," said Jonas, making room for Emylia to slip past him.

Llew scowled at him. "Aris wanted you to get that shoulder seen to. Get in here."