A Court of Song and Shadow

Chapter 41

I winnow back in the healing room, and Rhysand seems even worse than he did when I left. Everybody jumps as I appear--holding Amren's hand. She looks very surprised at where she is and I have a feeling she does not get surprised often.

"What the hell is that thing?" Cass asks, protectively stepping in front of my mother. Amren lets out a low chuckle that probably does not ease Cassian's fears.

"She is a healer, and is going to heal Rhys." I slur some of my words and I did not realize how drunk I was until this moment. I try to blink away the fogginess overcoming me.

"Have you been drinking, Velaris?" My mother asks me, and I fling my hand down and shush her.

"That is of no--" I let out a hiccup, "--no importance right now, Mother."

"She drinks more than any man I have ever met." Amren mumbles, and my mother looks at me with wide eyes and I let out a giggle. "Everyone needs to leave the room."

"You must be insane to think we are leaving you alone with him." Cass snarls, and I roll my eyes.

"Then I will not heal him." She crosses her arms and has to tilt her head all the way back to look at Cass. I giggle at the sight, he snaps his head at me.

"Find another healer."

"There are none." I say, trying to take a step but end up tripping. He catches me with one arm as I point to Amren, "She is the best of the best, and before you ask, yes I just met her but she is an amazing--" I look at her with a concerned face, "thing, and she is going to save my brothers life. So please listen to her."

"I will allow the girl to stay but everyone else must leave." Amren states, looking to everyone. Az looks at me in concern, his shadows have completely disappeared in Amren's presence.

"I can h-handle myself." I lean against the table and wink at Az.

"By the cauldron--" Mor mumbles, but my mother takes another look at Amren and orders everyone to leave the room, until she too is gone and it is just Amren, Rhys and I. I watch in awe as Amren holds her palms on Rhysand's chest and a bright light appears from within them.

"Why did you ask everyone to leave?" I ask out of curiosity as I tilt my head to the side.

"I am in my most vulnerable state when I am healing another--I rarely do so." She says to me.

"So why did--did you decide to h-help me?" I manage to get out. She looks up for a moment and narrows her glowing eyes at me.

"I saw a bit of me in you--well who I used to be." Amren hovers her hands along Rhysand's body--his wounds slowly closing as she does.

"And who did you used to be?"

"A dreamer," She says with no emotion at all, "And someone who wanted more than what was offered to me."

"Hm."

I continue to watch her as best as I can, making sure she does not somehow harm Rhysand even more--but my shadows seem to dance around her as she works. She even lets out a small smile as they surround her. She grabs a small knife and I stand up as fast as I can as she puts it against Rhysand's arm.

"I am draining the poison out, I managed to move it all to this one arm. I do not plan on harming your brother." Amren does not even look at me as she cuts a small slit on Rhysand's arm and uses her power to draw the poison out. She quickly closes the wound she just made and I watch as his breathing returns to normal and even his skin color becomes less pale. I look to Amren with tears in my eyes and walk over with my arms wide open.