Lupi 04 - Night Season

had better go now.”
    They stood beside their horses, poor tired beasts. Dell sat beside Kai, grooming herself complacently. She was very pleased with herself for her part in the battle, and her satisfaction blunted some of Kai’s distress. “I…I thought we’d have a chance to see how things turned out. We should say goodbye, at least.”
    â€œWe’ve followed the others so long we feel a connection to them. They just met us.” Nathan shrugged. “They are grateful, but they don’t know us well enough to miss us.”
    Kai swallowed. “I didn’t do things the way your queen wanted.”
    â€œShe’ll be pleased. The medallion is with its holder, and the gnomes are unaware of Winter’s interest in their affairs.” He ducked his head to kiss her softly on the mouth. “You’ve learned much about your Gift, too.”
    â€œI used it to control someone.” That’s what a binder did. And the queen killed binders.
    â€œFor which an entire realm might be grateful, if they knew.” His smile eased from his eyes to the rest of his face, giving it the shine of love, mingled with amusement. “Kai, do you still not know what you are?”
    â€œNo. And if you do and haven’t said anything—”
    â€œYou feel no urge to tamper with minds that are healthy. When you see imbalance, disorder, madness—then you are compelled. You want to tidy wrongness when you see it. You’re a mind-healer.”
    She blinked. A healer? Not a monstrous danger to others, but a healer? “I don’t think I’ve healed any minds.”
    â€œPerhaps not. You’ve barely begun learning your Gift, but that’s the direction it pulls you.”
    A healer. Kai took a deep breath, feeling his words settle inside. Feeling their rightness. “So where are we going?”
    â€œTo one of my queeen’s private places, away from court. You’ll like it. Can you pull Dell closer now?”
    Dell took that moment to cease grooming herself and rasp her tongue along the back of Kai’s hand. Kai smiled and reached with her mind—with her love—as easily as she stretched out her hand to touch the big cat’s head. “Ready.”
    He handed her the other saddlebag. “Let’s go.”

THIRTY-FIVE
    T HEIR route back to the City was different from the one that had brought them to Leerahan, thank God. Cynna never wanted to see Ahk territory again, and maybe not mountains.
    Horses, though, were inevitable. They rode to a small port on the river where the chancellor’s barge awaited them. A combination of sidhe mindspeech and the Ekiba hotline had arranged that, as well as passing on the basic events to those waiting back in the City.
    Gan was full of herself at times, but she still enjoyed swimming in the river and eating the fishies.
    Cynna caught up on her sleep on the barge. She and Cullen did their best to catch up on…well, sex and lovemaking both, she supposed. The two of them were good at sex. Making love was new.
    She liked it.
    Ruben and McCloskey met them at the dock. Ms. Wright was conscious and out of danger, but still tired very quickly. The healer didn’t want her leaving the Chancellery until it was time for her to leave Edge entirely.
    Ruben was walking.
    â€œHey!” Cynna forgot herself and hugged him. “Look at you! This is wonderful. You look wonderful.”
    Ruben smiled. “You look wonderful, too, if somewhat overstimulated. Mr. Seabourne looks extremely…rested, also.”
    She blushed, dammit. He wouldn’t see it, though.
    â€œI’m very interested in hearing your report.”
    â€œIt will have to be ears-only, sir. There’s a lot that can’t be put in writing.”
    â€œThat’s true of most of your reports, or so you like to insist.”
    Cynna did not like writing reports. “Cullen, look how great Ruben’s doing.”
    â€œSo I see.” Cullen’s smile came easily these days. “You’re moving well, too. Not limping. No splints.”
    â€œThe arm and leg are still a bit tender. I’m afraid I’m showing off. The chancellor’s healer sped the healing of my bones and in the process discovered the cause of my progressive weakness.” Ruben gave Cynna a gentle smile. “I hadn’t wanted to worry you, but back home, my prognosis was not good. Now, with care, I should be fine. I have a rare