Chapter 31
"Is it okay if I hold your hand?" Hayden asked the little girl sitting on Nora's lap.
The child stared back with big round eyes that were full of caution and curiosity. She nodded slowly and held out a finger for Hayden.
"Thank you, Isabella," Nora said.
"Isabella," Hayden smiled. "That's a beautiful name."
"Thank you," Isabella muttered, hiding half her face in Nora's shit.
Hayden placed his hand over the little girl's and took in a deep breath. He slowly began to channel his energy into Isabella, being extremely careful to guard his jinn side. His eyes locked with Nora, her gaze helping him keep everything in his mind steady and controlled.
What? Nora asked through their mind-link, feeling her cheeks blush from the way Hayden stared at her.
Nothing, Hayden shrugged.
You're staring at me, Nora lowered her gaze, feeling the butterflies in her tummy act up.
You look beautiful, Hayden teased.
Nora ignored his flattering comment and shifted Isabella in her arms. She felt the girl's breathing change as her skin began to return to a healthy glow. The brown of her hair came alive, giving birth to rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes. Nora beamed joyfully as the little girl looked up at her, taking a lung full of fresh air.
"That should do the trick," Hayden said quietly, pulling his hand away and returning Isabella's hand to her lap. "How do you feel?"
"I feel good," Isabella said in her little voice.
"Perfect," Hayden reached up and pushed back some of her dark locks.
"May I take her?"
Nora and Hayden looked up as a nurse in pink scrubs hovered.
"Yes, you may," Nora nodded, holding Isabella up. "She's all done."
As the nurse took the little girl, Hayden slowly rose to his feet and stretched his arms. He reached for the mug of tea he had been drinking all day and took a long sip. Nora got up from the chair she had been sitting on and looked over her shoulder to where Maya sat with a child on her lap, surrounded by the nurses Maksim had sent.
How are you two doing? She asked, catching Nora's eyes.
We're okay, Nora gave her a small smile. Hayden leaned over and placed a small kiss on the top of her head.
How many did you get to today?
About fifteen.
Maya changed her focus to Hayden, Why don't you two take a break for tonight. You can start tomorrow.
Nora agreed. Hayden hadn't uttered a word but she could see the tiredness in his eyes. He stretched more than usual and his eyes were starting to turn murky.
Don't take no as an answer, Nora, Maya said. I'm just about done here myself too.
Nora looked up at Hayden and took his hand. She felt her mind-link switch off as the boy turned his attention to her.
"Who's next?" Hayden asked.
"No one," Nora shook her head. "That's enough for today."
"We can do a few mor-"
"No," Nora stepped closer and pulled at Hayden's arm. "You're exhausted. We need to stop for tonight."
Hayden opened his mouth to argue but something changed his mind. He looked over Nora's head at Nico standing at the door talking to a nurse and his eyes changed immediately.
