Ascent

by Bethany Adams

  Maddy stared after the elf as she thanked Lial and then departed with the other guard. Talk about a casually delivered bomb—and an accurate one. Why was she being so hard on herself when she’d barely started to learn? Every person who’d come to the healing tower that day had succumbed to the unexpected, and it hadn’t mattered how old they were. There was no shame in that.

  “Perhaps I should send her a reward for your epiphany,” Lial grumbled.

  Maddy blinked. “What?”

  “I can practically see your thoughts, and if I’m not mistaken, they are correct.” He sat on the stool beside his workstation, and his shoulders slumped with the exhaustion he’d hidden from his patients. “Self-recrimination causes you a great deal of trouble.”

  “It seems inevitable sometimes,” Maddy said, sighing. “I definitely didn’t do the right thing in that situation, and I honestly don’t know what would have happened if I couldn’t have pulled the energy back.”

  The healer frowned. “Your healing gift is different, but I do not believe that should be a hindrance to learning its use.”

  “Different how?”

  “It is very…active. Vibrant.” His gaze grew distant. “The one time I’ve seen that, the healer in question joined the military. He was an excellent combat healer, able to send his power across distances I could not. I must be close. Nearly touching. I have a feeling that is not the case for you, and combined with your will magic, you’ll need to take care. But I believe we are both up to the task.”

  Distance healing? The military? Maddy had never thought about either possibility. She wasn’t a natural nurturer like Anna, although Maddy didn’t mind easing hurt when she saw it, and she’d never visualized herself as a full-time healer like Lial, even after training. Still, she didn’t think she would want to join the army. It was a noble career but not one she was well-suited for.

  But she didn’t have to be in the military to help in combat situations. What if she’d been in the group that had stopped Meren’s allies from invading the outpost? Fully trained, Maddy might have been able to save Dria’s friend Gessen. There were enough similar skirmishes that her abilities could come in handy.

  The role of emergency battle healer might end up being all-too-perfect.

  Being involved in this kind of magic without Maddy present was strange, especially since Anna felt like a poor substitute. Chances were good that she wouldn’t be any help, but at least she might learn something. And who knew? Maybe she would notice a detail the other two didn’t. If nothing else, she could offer comfort. So she’d positioned herself at the foot of the bed while Fen and Vek took the other two sides, ready to do what she could.

  “Are you sure you can do this without the healer I met?” Sparrow asked, giving Vek a nervous glance. “Maybe we should hold off. I’m not coughing much today, so the other problem might be resolving, too.”

  Vek shook his head. “It is not. I can see the darkened shard of energy with little effort.”

  Anna smoothed the blanket around Sparrow’s feet and smiled when the motion attracted the other’s gaze. “Don’t let Vek scare you. He’s really a nice guy.”

  “A nice—” Wisely, Fen cut off whatever he was about to say when their patient turned her worried look his way. “Ah. Yeah. My uncle is a great person. And he was trained by the life mage who healed me.”

  Sparrow’s eyes narrowed. “I thought this other mage was the one you were summoning? No offense intended, but it sounds like your uncle just learned this skill.”

  “I did,” Vek said without hesitation. “But our friend has a family to return to, including a young son he would not want to risk infecting. I do understand your doubt, but I am your best option. Unless you know other fae with the required skill?”

  With a huff, Sparrow shook her head. “Not really. I’m sorry if I sound ungrateful. This is just so new and weird.”

  Anna squeezed the other woman’s foot softly through the blanket. “I found out I have water powers less than a month ago, so I understand. When it comes to the strange, sometimes you have to face it and embrace it.”

  The door opened, and Anthony entered. He’d been finishing up one of his online courses when they’d arrived, and his absence hadn’t helped his friend’s worries. Based on the way Sparrow’s expression brightened at the sight of him, Anna wondered if this incident had sparked another kind of interest between them. None of her business, though.

  “Hey, I’ll sit over in the corner and make sure you’re okay,” Anthony said. “You know I won’t let anyone do anything bad.”

  Finally, Sparrow relaxed against the pillows and closed her eyes. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

  Vek and Fen exchanged wry smiles, their current disagreement apparently forgotten for the moment, and began their work. Anna let her own eyes close and did her best to open her senses. She detected Fen easily—his energy had become familiar to her over the last couple of weeks. But when it came to his uncle, she struggled against the wave of the power he wielded, the force of it muffling the spirit of the user.

  Did it really matter? Instead of trying to identify the origin point, Anna let her senses drift over Sparrow as the powerful magic swept through her. Anna couldn’t see anything wrong near the other woman’s heart. At least not at first. Whatever darkness the others understood was beyond her skills, and yet… Here and there, she thought she saw a few flecks of something odd, pulsing outward through the blood.

  Quickly, she connected with Fen. “I can’t see the core of the poison. Can you?”

  “Unfortunately, yes,” he answered, his mental voice full of bitter anger. “It’s the same shit. Vek hasn’t needed my help so far, though.”

  “I thought…I thought I saw weird specks in her blood.”

  Fen went silent for a moment. “I told him. Are you sure it is related?”

  “I barely know what I’m doing, so no.”

  “Vek will check just in case.”

  A moment after Fen gave that assurance, the life magic swept through Sparrow’s veins with sudden intensity, and Anna had to withdraw from her scan before the force overwhelmed her like a tsunami. As soon as Vek finished, she looked again, and as far as she could tell, the dark flakes were gone.

  Anna blinked her eyes a few times to clear her senses. She’d never considered how much of the body was made of water, so she hadn’t expected to see a great deal. Now she had to wonder how many times she’d been drawn to care for people after sensing something off with their health.

  She didn’t know if she had the ability to fix anything. But how neat would it be if she detected illnesses that Maddy could treat? They could start a magical medical practice. Maddy the Healer and Anna the Disease Sonar. She sucked her lips against her teeth to keep from laughing while the others finished their work.

  It was a fun line of thought, but it was probably silly. For one thing, Anna had no clue if she’d really sensed anything or if it had been her imagination. Planning out a healing side-show was probably a bit much. Though maybe she could turn it into a short story.

  The power from the other two faded, and Sparrow opened her eyes. She appeared far less tired and weak, but as they studied her, she started to cough. Anthony appeared at the corner of the bed, and a frown wrinkled his face.

  “I was hoping this might resolve her cold.”

  Anna grimaced. From Sparrow’s expression, it seemed she’d thought the same. Would they be upset? Anna hoped not, because she liked them both and wouldn’t mind becoming friends. She needed more people in her life who understood what it was like to have fae blood.

  “Unfortunately, I am no healer,” Vek said. “I was able to clear out poisoned energy, but I don’t know how to look for human-type illnesses. In any case, the type of magic I used might not affect something organic. Viruses are unpleasant, I hear, but they are part of nature.”

  “Balls,” Sparrow muttered darkly.

  Anna gave her a sympathetic smile. “Hey, I could always make you some m
ore tea.”

  Chapter 20

  Anna’s foot tapped restlessly against the stone floor as she stared at the shimmering portal. Any minute now, her beloved would walk through. Hopefully. According to Dria, Maddy was running late, and if she didn’t hurry, Anna would have to leave before Maddy got here. It was just after ten in the morning, and the lunch shift would start soon. Dria had been kind enough to open the portal to the shop so that Anna wouldn’t have to drive out to the outpost and hike up the mountain, but it would be for nothing if Maddy didn’t move it.

  Besides, the tension between Vek and Fen was starting to drive Anna insane. They’d compared notes after healing Sparrow yesterday, but otherwise, the drive to Vek’s house afterward had been just as awkward as the trip to Anthony’s place. Fen hadn’t wanted to talk about it after dropping his uncle off, even though they’d had plenty of time while hunting down furniture and household goods. They had parted after dinner so that Fen could work on shielding his new house, and when he’d stumbled back to her place to stay on the couch, he’d gone to sleep without mentioning his uncle. Now, they were pretending not to cast annoyed glances each other’s way.

  Maybe between them, Anna and Maddy could get the two to talk.

  Finally, the portal flashed, and all thoughts of Fen and his uncle faded to the background as Maddy stepped through. She’d barely made it off the small dais before Anna rushed her. With a happy cry, Anna tugged her girlfriend close. Her hand wrapped around Maddy’s braid as their lips met and tangled.

  Anna wanted to sigh and moan at the same time. Home. Maddy tasted like home after an adventure—familiar comfort with a hint of something new. Honey and apples and spices Anna couldn’t name, but Maddy all the same.

  “Ah, fuck me,” she heard Fen mutter.

  With a chuckle, she and Maddy pulled apart, and Maddy’s eyes gleamed with the same humor Anna felt. Poor Fen. Too bad he didn’t know that trying out his new bed was pretty high on Anna’s to-do list now that their girlfriend was back. He would just have to live with the torture until Maddy was ready, though.

  “So how did it go?” Anna asked, taking Maddy’s hands in hers.

  “Fine.” Maddy’s nose wrinkled. “There’s a lot for me to learn, but I didn’t have any disasters. I think I can do this.”

  Pleasure and relief clogged in Anna’s throat. Her own discomfort had definitely been worth it, and she’d even confronted her trouble with magic regardless of the disquiet it caused. “I’m glad.”

  Maddy squeezed her hands. “Something happened here, didn’t it? Are you okay?”

  “Things did get a little weird,” Fen said, easing to a stop beside Anna.

  She could have kissed him for the rescue. She didn’t want to hit Maddy with her little river experience right after she’d stepped through the portal. Though Maddy’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully, she didn’t question them about it. Maybe she could tell it was something better left until they were alone.

  The last thing Fen wanted to deal with was Vek blocking his entry to the gate room. Anna and Maddy had followed Dria inside, but his uncle had shifted to prevent him from following. Dammit. He was not in the mood for another confrontation.

  “A word,” Vek said.

  Fen considered ignoring the command, but with a sigh, he paused beside his uncle. “What?”

  “Don’t worry,” Vek said flatly. “I’m not giving you an order. This is more of a request.”

  Despite his uncle’s low, even tone, Fen found himself studying Vek, too. His demeanor was even more ridiculously serious than usual. Had something happened? “You want to ask me for something?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” Vek leaned close. “I want to set up the kind of blood-link transport used by the Felshreh, similar to the one we used to return to the Unseelie realm after your mother took Dria. I found a proper chamber for it. Would you like to help? You would be able to use that portal, then, too.”

  “Help?” Fen’s chest ached from the force of the hope he tried to restrain. Surely, his uncle hadn’t thought this through. “I don’t think Dria will approve of giving me that kind of access. The Moranaians wouldn’t be happy, either.”

  “You think I give a fuck?” Vek scowled. “I do not need their permission to act. This is my home, too.”

  Fen didn’t bother to hide his snort. “Right.”

  Before Vek could counter, Dria slipped through the door. “Are you going with Maddy and Anna, Fen?”

  “As soon as Vek finishes telling me about the plan he doesn’t give a fuck if you approve of.”

  Fen grinned at his uncle, who mouthed traitor before lifting his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “You know about this, ahmeeren,” Vek said to Dria. “The blood gate.”

  Dria flat-out laughed. “I guessed as much when I overheard your bluster. You gave your word that you would obey the rules of my outpost, so I am certain you wouldn’t dare to challenge them. Or me.”

  Instead of offering reassurances, Vek tugged Dria up against his side. “I’ll be happy to challenge you, my love. I’ll provide you more challenge than—”

  “Please don’t give me nightmares,” Fen interrupted before his uncle could take that statement from innuendo to gross. “I have enough trauma to relive without those kinds of mental images.”

  Vek let go of Dria, and his eyes pinched with pain at the reminder of Fen’s misspent youth. “Forgive me.”

  “Oh, chill.” Fen shook his head. “I was mostly joking, but I would enjoy a change of subject. Please.”

  “Fine. Come back this evening if you want to help with the portal. Send word if you don’t.”

  For a brief moment, they’d returned to their usual banter, but now, Vek’s face held the remote formality it had worn since their disagreement. Suddenly, Fen hated the strain that had returned to their relationship. Was it because of Fen’s unintentional reminder of the past, or was it because he had insisted on standing alone? As Vek strode away without another word, Fen suspected it was both. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to be done about the problem, at least nothing that time wouldn’t repair.

  “Vek told me you have a friend who can interface human technology with magic,” Dria said, her considering gaze on his face. “He dismissed the idea, but I’m intrigued.”

  Fen’s lips twisted. “If you’re saying that from guilt or pity, don’t bother.”

  “I’m not,” Dria insisted. “Though it’s true that your argument with Vek made me evaluate some of my own words and actions. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to be dismissed for being younger than what people anticipate or prefer. I shouldn’t judge you based on Moranaian expectations.”

  He studied her face for any sign of deception and came up empty. “Thanks.”

  Anna leaned out the door. “Hey, can we go? I’m going to be late to work.”

  “We’ll talk about your artificer friend later,” Dria said. “I hope?”

  The whole conversation was so unexpected he almost didn’t know how to answer. “Ah, sure.”

  Fen followed Dria into the portal room, barely noticing the open gate back to Maddy’s shop. The sudden inclusion was everything he’d wanted, but he couldn’t trust it to hold, either. For that matter, maybe he couldn’t trust himself. If he messed this up, it would be ages before he had another chance.

  No problem, right?

  The consultation room at the shop looked the same as always, the table, chairs, and counter seemingly untouched since she’d left, yet it seemed almost foreign to Maddy as she closed the portal behind them. After gently curving walls and spiral stairs, the hard angles here jarred her senses, and she’d gotten used to how even the most basic items on Moranaia bore a decorative touch. She and Jase should consider a change in aesthetics.

  “So what’s the plan for today?” Maddy asked, glancing between Anna and Fen. “Should I drive Anna to work?”

  “I can’t,” Fen answered. “I have to get back to my new place for another furniture delivery. Nothing
like the between-noon-and-five window to ruin the day’s plans.”

  Anna slipped her arm around Maddy’s waist. “How about you go with Fen? I’ll take your car to work and then meet you both at his new place after. You haven’t had a chance to see it.”

  Maddy stared at her girlfriend, noting her eager smile and bright, open gaze. Anna didn’t just tolerate the idea of her going with Fen—she wanted it. Hell, Maddy wouldn’t be surprised if her girlfriend wasn’t half in love with him already, and the idea of that brought a warm and fuzzy yet anxious feeling to Maddy’s gut. What if she decided she didn’t want a three-person mating but Anna did?

  Some of the turmoil must have shown on her face, for Anna’s smile softened. “Hey, there’s no hidden meaning to that, and I wasn’t trying to pressure you.”

  “I know,” Maddy said automatically, though she didn’t. Not completely. “I’m just tired. It was dawn on Moranaia when I left, and I didn’t sleep much last night, either. I would love to see Fen’s place, so long as I’m welcome.”

  Fen squeezed her shoulder lightly as she met his gaze. “Any time, Maddy.”

  For a moment, everything was perfect. With Anna’s arm around her waist and Fen’s hand on her shoulder, her world felt complete. Like she could conquer anything so long as they were together. But worry had her stiffening in their hold. What if it didn’t work out? She might lose them both if it didn’t. Bucking the norm to be together was a challenge for all of them.

  Sensing Maddy’s turmoil, Anna tightened her hold, but Fen jerked his hand away and stepped back. Maddy wanted to tell him that it wasn’t him. Or Anna. Or any one thing alone. It was everything, but she didn’t know how to explain her confusion without sounding like she wanted to give up on their possible bond. So she let Fen retreat, if only until she could find the words.

  “Let’s go then,” Maddy said. “Before you’re both late for your commitments.”

  “Crap,” Anna muttered, letting go of Maddy. “Work.”