Chapter 6: Page 8

Ignoring the closed sign, Codin Suncircle entered the patron-deserted pub, his Fairy Guide, Zebben Flamehopper, sitting on his shoulder. Behind the bar was a WairWolf straightening bottles of alcohol. On one of the barstools sat a Vampyre and on the bar before him sat a half-breed Wolf pup talking animatedly with the Vampyre. There was a Dew Drop Fairy sitting on top of the pup’s head and another zipping around the pub. He thought it an odd group.

“Why so nervous, CS?” Zebben’s avid green eyes took in the scene before him, studied the two Fairies. He wondered if he would get to speak with them at all. It was so rare for him to interact with his own race.

“Just hoping that Lady Arbor prepared everyone for my arrival.”

“Huh, suppose that’s a good reason.”

“We’re closed,” Oben called out, never looking away from what he was doing, trying to keep his helplessness at bay.

He had only left the door unlocked because the healer was coming and as soon as he arrived, he would lock it. Dewi had been an absolute wreck when he carried Neak in; he had yet to come down in the two hours since. He wondered if his cousin would continue to deny his feelings for the Tree Nymph after this was over.

“Lady Arbor sent me.”

That made Oben look up. He studied the individual. Dewi had told him that the one coming was like Sabelle, but he never thought he would feel such animosity just looking at him. Crap. Was this how it would be for Sabelle? He looked at the pup for a moment, pain for her within his heart. He then returned his gaze to the FaieLion, motioned towards the stairs—the Tree had the door open.

“Up the stairs, last door at the end of the hall.”

“Thanks.” Codin relaxed a fraction knowing he wasn’t going to be barred from what he was sent to do.

“Hi!” Milmar fluttered in front of the Fire Fairy, smiling—Fire Fairies were similar in size to Dew Drop Fairies, but their looks were more exotic. He knew this Fairy was a Guide and he had questions, especially since he was a Fairy Guide to a FaieLion. No, he wasn’t FaieWolf, but he was enough like Sabelle for him to be able to answer those questions. “I’m Milmar.”

“I’m Zebben. This is CS.”

“Milmar.” Romie flew down and tried to pull his hubby away, not liking the keen interest on his face.

“Romie, he’s like me. I wanna ask him questions.” Milmar pulled away and flew after Zebben and CS. He flew next to them as they climbed the stairs. “I can help, I can heal. I’m real good at it.”

“All help is welcome,” Codin rumbled. “But are you sure you should leave your hubby behind? He didn’t look happy.”

Milmar knew just how unhappy Romie was and would be, but this was important. “Romie can’t heal.”

“That maybe so, but he’s your hubby. Hubbies can be possessive.”

“I’m a Fairy Guide like Zebben. The pup is my charge.”

Codin stopped his climb, looked at the Dew Drop. His golden eyes unblinking. “She’s FaieWolf?”

“Yup. She can already produce Silver Moonlight.”

“Does her family know?”

“Yup. They love her still.”

“A very lucky pup.” Codin started climbing the stairs again.

At the top, he looked around the living area and located the hall to his left. Traversing the hall, he paused before the last door. With a deep breath, he opened the door and entered the room. A large male Lobo—and it was obvious this one was a Lobo and by his size, of royal blood—was guarding the vulnerable form of a Tree Nymph. He stared for a moment, taken aback by the wolf ears atop the male’s head. Had he reached his half-state from the trauma of the Nymph being injured? Was he even aware of the change?

He cleared his throat, deciding the Lobo’s ears weren’t his concern, the Nymph was. “Lady Arbor sent me.”

Dewi stared warily at the stranger, though stayed where he was next to Neak on the bed—she had yet to wake up. “She said you could heal Neak.”

“I have the gift to heal.” Codin hoped he could do what he was charged with doing. If he failed, he knew he could escape the Lobo, but he wouldn’t escape Lady Arbor. No matter how fast or how far he ran there was no way to escape a pissed off Divinity.

Dewi studied the large male. He looked to be Lion, but his yellow jewel-toned hair told of Faie heritage, the Topaz court. Lady Arbor had only said that the healer would be like Sabelle. He hadn’t quite known what to make of that statement, but looking at the man…

He pushed all those thoughts away. It didn’t matter, none of it did, so long as he could heal Neak, he would always be grateful, the Lion would always be welcome.

“Please, come in. Lady Arbor healed her heart, but nothing else.”

“So she said.” Codin approached the bed. “I’m Codin Suncircle. This is my friend,” he motioned to the blond and red haired Fairy on his shoulder, “Zebben Flamehopper.”

“Dewinar Melodyhowl, but everyone calls me Dewi. This is my mate, Neak Silverplum.”

“He’s a FaieLion, Dewi. He’s like Sabelle and I’m like Zebben.” Milmar hovered over Neak taking in her wounds. He had never seen what physical harm a Divinity could do. It was ugly. She was covered in burn marks and he could tell there were some broken bones—her ribs and her right arm. Her soft insides were bruised, battered and broken too.

Dewi looked at Codin, held his gaze. “It doesn’t matter. I want my mate healed. If you’re able to do that, then you’re welcome here.”

Codin decided he could hold the Wolf to his word. He placed his bag of supplies on the floor and then sat on the edge of the bed to start his examination. He ran his hand over the Tree Nymph, power pulsing. “Who did she piss off?”

“Virgo.”

“Damn. Divinities don’t play around, but the crazy ones… Unpredictable doesn’t even begin to describe them.”

“You hang out with crazy Divinities?”

“A side hazard of my occupation, I’m afraid.” With his eyes trained on his patient, he held both hands above Neak’s body, summoned his healing power, and started healing. “Zebben, Milmar, could you take care of the burns while I take care of the internal damage.”

“Okay, Big Kitty.”

“I’m on it, CS.”

The two Fairies flew to separate sides of Neak and they too started healing.

Finished, Codin sat back and rolled his neck, working out the kinks. He rubbed the sweat from his face feeling hopeful. It had been hard, the damage to the Tree Nymph extensive, but he had been thorough, searching out each spot of damage and paying close attention to it. He was grateful to both Zebben and Milmar for taking care of the superficial wounds and for starting her broken ribs healing, allowing him to fully concentrate on his task. They had also set her broken arm—it still amazed him how strong the little guys could be.

“All that’s left is wrapping her ribs and bracing her arm.”

“She’s healed?” Dewi looked away from Neak’s face for the first time since Codin started healing.

“She’s out of danger.” Codin leaned over and picked his bag up off the floor. “But she’ll need a boat load of rest.”

“Neak won’t like that.” Milmar flew over to Neak’s pillow and collapsed upon it, exhausted. He had never done so much healing before.

“Tree Nymphs never like being told what to do.” Zebben yawned as he flew over and took the spot next to Milmar on the pillow. That was a lot of healing, even more than the usual and the Dew Drop kept up. He gave Milmar a nudge, letting him know he was an okay Fairy in his book.

Dewi’s eyes filled with determination. “Oh, she’ll get plenty of rest, even if I have to tie her to the bed to make her.”

Milmar laughed. “Dewi will tie her up just ‘cause he’s a kinky Lobo.”

“Hush, Fairy.” Dewi pressed a kiss to Neak’s forehead, a smile curling his lips; the Fairy was right, he would tie Neak up just because it would be hot. He then looked at Codin. “Thank you.”

Codin didn’t say anything, never having been comfortable with expressed gratitude. Opening his bag, he pulled out the bandages for her arm and ribs. “Have you ever wrapped ribs?”

“I’m a Lobo, of course I’ve wrapped ribs.”

“He and Oben got their butts kicked by a dumb Bunny last year.” Milmar sat up. “Lucky Neak wasn’t here then, she woulda double kicked their butts.”

“Milmar, do I need to eat you?” he growled.

“Nah, Fairies taste bad.” Milmar grinned when Zebben laughed. He liked the Fire Fairy. He was good Fairy Folk.

“I keep telling CS that, but he keeps threatening to eat me too.”

Codin shook his head. “Fairies.”

“You love me, CS.”

“Keep telling yourself that, Zeb.” He and Zebben shared a look, their nose wrinkling at their little joke. Rolling his neck again, Codin retuned his attention to the Tree Nymph. “Let’s sit her up. Easy.” He wrapped her ribs, ignoring the Wolf’s stare. After securing the bandage around her ribs, they laid her back down and he took care of bracing her arm.

“When will she wake up?” Dewi brushed hair off Neak’s forehead. He wanted to see her eyes, needed to see them. Hell, he needed to hear her call him wolf boy.

Codin placed his hand on Neak’s head and rechecked for any damage, to see if she were in a coma. “In a few more hours.”

“Bet she’ll have a baddie headache.” Milmar wiggled his feet. He wondered if he would get to speak with Codin and Zebben about being Lunar Knight and Fairy Guide, or if they would leave once they were finished working on Neak. He looked towards the door, surprised Romie wasn’t hovering there.

“Afraid so. I’ll leave something for the pain she’ll be in and a few bandages so Dewi can rewrap her ribs and arm.” After taking care of those two things, Codin stood, stretched. “I can come back in a couple weeks and check on Neak’s arm, make certain it’s healing right.”

“That would be appreciated.” Dewi slipped off the bed and held out his hand to Codin. “You’re always welcome here.”

“Doubt that.” Codin shook hands with the Lobo and then motioned to Zebben to hop onto his shoulder.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m FaieLion.”

“And?” Dewi crossed his arms over his chest waiting for a decent explanation.

“I appreciate your offer of hospitality, but were I to enter your pub during business hours, either fights would break out or your patrons would leave.”

“Because you’re a half-breed?”

“No, I only wish I were considered a half-breed. Faie hate me, WairFolk despise and fear me.” Codin looked at Milmar. “Do you know what you’re getting into being a Fairy Guide to a FaieWolf?”

Milmar nodded. “She’s not the first one for my family. The Whispersongs have been Guides a long, long time.”

“And what of your hubby, does he understand the demands you’ll face?”

“Got some time—Belle’s only three.” Milmar flew up and landed on Dewi’s shoulder. “Remember what I said about Belle and the Silver Moonlight?”

“So you’re a Lunar Knight?” Dewi kept his eyes on the Lion or whatever he wished to call himself.

Codin sighed. Normally he would deny it, but not in this situation. The pup’s family had a right to know what she would be in for. “It’s why those like myself are despised. Faie think we’re taking their jobs and, though they don’t truly know what we are, don’t know that we wield Silver Moonlight, the WairFolk somehow sense the betrayal.”

“What would this world be without those who rode herd on the WairFolk? We all fear The Fever, not because of the Lunar Knights, but because we lose ourselves as the sickness advances.”

“This would be a very dangerous place were Wairs allowed to run free in Third Stage Fever. And just so you know, I do my damnedest to heal those I come across with The Fever, even Third Stage, most individuals like myself do. I’m certain that’s why Dear Luna prizes the FaieAnimals.”

“You should see CS’s scars from wrestling the Bears when trying to heal them.” Zebben curled his fingers and made clawing motions over his chest.

Dewi reached over and grabbed Milmar off his shoulder. He glared at the Fairy. “Sabelle will not become a Lunar Knight, I forbid it.”

“Won’t stop the badness.”

“But it’ll keep her from wrestling Fevered Bears. Mistress Moon!”

“Actually, the female FaieAnimals do better than the males.” Codin pulled a cracker out of his medical bag and handed it to Zebben, hearing the Fairy’s stomach growl. “They’re quicker.”

“Ooooh, that’s true. Ripples, a FaiePoodle we know, you should see her—she can out wrestle CS and CS is a good wrestler.”

Codin rolled his eyes. Zebben loved Ripples, not to mention he had a crush on her Fairy Guide, Laira—another Fire Fairy. “For a Poodle, she’s damn good.”

“You’re still welcome here. I’m not a hypocrite. If I accept my niece…”

“She’s blood.”

“And what of your family?”

“I was lucky my parents loved me. When they realized what I was, they went into seclusion to hide me from both their families. The day Dear Luna came to our home wanting me to enter the Lunar Studies program, I was so excited. Finally, I would be able to see the world. It was quite the shock to discover that most of the world couldn’t stand me. I was hated because of a gene mutation.” Codin shook away the past. “I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to check on Neak. In the mean time, Zebben and I have to get moving.”

“I got questions.” Milmar wiggled out of Dewi’s hold.

“You already know the answers. Be her friend and be prepared for the cold world.” Codin then nodded and headed out of the room.

“At least have Oben pour you a drink,” Dewi called after the FaieLion. “On the house.”

Codin looked over his shoulder and nodded once more, though he had no plans of doing so.

“Milmar, let Oben know.” Dewi climbed back onto the bed and laid next Neak, protecting her, willing her to wake.

“Gotcha, Dewi.”

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