THE HEALING TOUCH

“Earth to Aliviaaa” Adam says, waving his hand in front of my face and making me blink a few times as I'm snapped out of my thoughts.

“Sorry… what?” I asked, confused.

“Can I have my sword back?” he asks with a smirk on his face.

I look down and realize I am still tightly gripping the hilt in my hands. The blade glints brightly in the morning light as I reluctantly hand it back to him.

Emma appears in the doorway and smiles warmly. “Dear, the water is hot. Clean up and then join us for breakfast when you are done.”

She leads me out to the “bathroom”, which is nothing more than a concrete floor with a wooden tub covered by a sheet in the corner.

“Here, put this on when you are done,” she says, handing me a clean white dress before turning to leave.

I unhook the band holding my long brown hair back and it cascades down around my waist while I struggle to wrap the bandages around my arm. Adam enters with a bucket of water in one hand and places it in the tub. His eyes dart to me as he notices me struggling with the bandages.

“Here let me,” he says in a hoarse voice.

He stepped closer, the scent of him like wildflowers and pine on a spring morning. His eyes were the blue of the ocean on a clear day, intense and captivating. He gently took my arm in his hands, his touch like fire on my skin and my heart thundered in my chest. I locked eyes with him, and for a moment I thought time had stopped.

He broke away first, mumbling something about the bandages being finished, before pulling his hand away as if I had burned him. Bewildered, I looked down at my arm to find not just healed wounds, but skin that was free of scarring as well. Astonishment crept through me as I moved to remove the bandages from around my waist and legs to find they too had healed much faster than usual. My brow furrowed. How could they heal so fast, my wolf and I don’t have a strong connection for her to heal me.

After I finish taking a bath, I make my way to everyone who is already sitting in the dining area.

“Ah las you just in time “Lucian said with a warm smile, making Adam’s eyes dart towards me from where he is seated.

“Come have a seat”, Emma says gesturing to a free seat next to Adam.

“Thank you” I say with a small smile as I sat down.

“So, Las I didn’t want to ask before, since you were unwell, but what were you doing in the forest?” he asks as he passes me the freshly baked rolls.

My hands tremble as I take a piece of bread, trying to produce a quick excuse as he stares at me intently waiting for my response.

“Uhm, my master's last wish was for me to visit these co-ordinates and take care of some things there. I heard that the forest is a quick way for me to get to the nearest town” I said, pulling out the paper with the written co-ordinates on it.

“It’s not too far off from the truth so I don’t think he will suspect anything.” I thought to myself as I handed him the piece of paper.

“Mm, these co-ordinates...” he says, scrunching his eyebrows together, making my heart race.

“d-do you know it?” I asked.

“No, las, but I do know someone that can help you get there” he says with a warm smile.

“Oh, who?” I ask a bit curious.

“Her name is Bertha, an old friend of mine. She owns a bar in the town outside the forest.” He says while taking a bite out of his bread.

“How about we discuss this after breakfast? Now, eat before it gets cold “, Lucian said as he began eating.

I take a bite out of the bread, and I am surprised at how delicious it tastes. As I take my first bite, Adam’s eyes shoot towards me as if he is examining me. Then he lifts his eyes to meet mine, his stormy blue eyes locking into my hazel ones. He lifts up his head to bring a piece of bread to his mouth, looking me straight in the eyes. I blush and look away to focus on my food, trying not to make it obvious that I am watching him.

“Mmm” I said, taking a deep breath.

“Well, have you had your fill young las?” he asks.

“Yes, thank you” I said.

“Then why don’t you head to my study, and we’ll discuss the matter there” he said, getting up from his chair.

I nodded my head while thanking Emma and Adam before following Lucian to his study.

“Las, please have a seat” he says, taking his seat behind his table.

He takes the piece of paper, but instead of looking at it, he raises his eyes to look at me.

"What is this" I asked sceptically, taking the folded piece of paper.

"It’s a map that will lead you to the nearby town where you will find Bertha" he says with a warm smile, and I squealed, unable to hold in my excitement.

"Thank you, I will go right away" I said, and he pulls me into a warm hug, to my surprise.

He smiles at me warmly before I rush out of the study, and he slowly follows behind. On my way out, I see Emma cleaning up the dining area. I look around to see if I can get a glimpse of Adam before I leave, but to no avail.

"Are you looking for something las" Emma asked curiously.

"Oh, uhm. Yes, I was looking for Adam. I wanted to thank him for all his help and bid him farewell", I said glumly.

"Oh, Adam is gone hunting, dear, he will only be back by nightfall. Are you leaving already? Are you sure you all healed to be travelling so soon?" She asks, shocked.

"Oh" I say sadly, slightly upset that I won't be able to see him before I leave.

"Yes, the task I have is urgent, so I must leave. Yes, I am all healed thank you" smiled warmly at her before heading towards the door.

“Wait, las. Here, take this,” Emma says as she hands me a loaf of bread, “You be careful now” she says as she gives me a lingering hug.

“I will,” I said as I returned her hug.

The two of them stared at me for a moment with the same sad look in their eyes. After the moment passes, Lucian opens the door and leads me outside.

“That way,” he points out, “It is a shortcut to the outside. You should be able to make it there in three days”.

“Thank you, Sir, for everything,” I said, bowing my head before making my way into the forest.