A Savior's Worth (Book #3)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Eldon didn't want to release Elouise's hand.

He would hold on forever if he could.

But when he looked up and saw Cora and Kinsey approaching with the horses and the two strangers following suit, he felt compelled to let go and stand up. Elouise slowly got up as well. Henry winced and clutched at his stomach. Elouise held him up before he could fall over.

"Eldon," she murmured, "he needs to be healed."

Eldon swallowed hard as he eyed the multiple wounds Henry had been given, and the blood that spilled from them. He moved closer to him and hesitantly put his hand over the largest gash.

"Eldon, if you can't"—Henry paused and hissed through his teeth.

"I gotta try," Eldon told him, closing his eyes to focus. As soon as he started, the sharpness in his skull rattled. He grunted and backed away, bumping into Elouise.

"What happened?" she asked, touching his arm. "What's wrong?"

He turned to her and whispered, "I can't. It... it hasn't been workin' that good for days now." Elouise furrowed her eyebrows. He wished he could that mind of hers. But then his mind drew a complete blank when she clutched his left hand and interlocked their fingers.

"Yes, you can," she said, determinedly. "You merely need to believe in yourself. You've always struggled with that."

Eldon frowned. "It ain't that I don't believe I can't, Ellie. It's just—"

"Trust me, Eldon." She nodded toward Henry. "Try again." Her grip on his hand tightened.

Eldon took a deep breath and obliged. Again, he closed his eyes and concentrated, clearing his mind of any doubt. The warmth from Elouise's hold slowly eased the tension within his muscles. Then he felt it—the hot glow surging through his veins and up to his palm against Henry's stomach.

"Eldon," Elouise gasped.

Eldon looked to see for himself. And he widened his eyes. He was finally healing Henry, and no headache followed.

"Whoa," said the strange man who'd come along with Elouise. He stopped a foot away from them and gawked as he watched Eldon.

By the time Eldon finished, he felt tired, but it didn't compare to what he'd gone through before. He dropped his hand from Henry and nodded. Henry glanced down to examine it for himself. There was more guilt than relief on his face. Still, Henry thanked him and buttoned up his coat.

"So," the man said, stepping forward. "Is anyone going to explain? What's going on?" He pointed first at Elouise. "Why do you and"—he paused when he met Eldon's glare. "Wait... your eyes are brown, too. What... what does that mean?"

"Who the hell are you?" demanded Iris.

"Names Sebastian," Kinsey clarified. "He told us that our princess here met him when she stumbled upon his village with this little one." She jutted her thumb in the direction of the girl hiding behind Cora.

"She's so cute," Cora cooed, reaching back to her.

Henry slid his eyes to Elouise. "Who is she?"

Elouise waved the girl over, and the girl rushed to her, embracing her. "Her name is Noemi. I... I, well, I... took her from her home."

Eldon blinked in surprise.

"I, I mean," Elouise continued, shaking her head. "Her family, ah, they are a part of Inferum cantivat."

"What?" Kinsey gasped. She scowled at Noemi. "You're one of them?"

"One of who?" asked Sebastian. Then to Elouise, "So, she is not your sister?"