Healing Fire

by Angela Castle

  "Mom, is he okay?" Blossom hovered by the end of the truck.

  "I hope so baby. Can you help me? He's big and heavy. We need to get him home then call Doc Mableton."

  Chapter Two

  "He has to be the most unusual man I've ever examined. The irises of his eyes are very dark. I've never seen anything like it. Must be some strange genetic anomaly. Damn he's big, six feet seven's my guess. Whatever his mamma put in his breakfast as a kid made him grow as big as one of our famous redwoods."

  Summer hovered by the bathroom door as Doctor Richard Mableton washed his hands after tending to the man she'd hit with her car.

  "But, he's going to be okay?"

  "A few bruises, scratched from where he and your car collided. Darn lucky if you ask me. He has a bit of a bump on the head. I'd say mild concussion. He'll need to be watched carefully. You want me to call an ambulance and take him to Redwood local?"

  "No Doc. I hit him I'll take care of him, unless you think he needs emergency care?"

  Doctor Mableton gave a sharp shake of his silver-haired head. "Better save on hospital bills. If you want to watch him, go ahead. Call or bring him into the clinic if you or he have any more concerns."

  "I will. Thank you."

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell the doctor about the sword and amazing crystal daggers she'd found on him, now securely locked away in the gun safe. The man was huge and no doubt dangerous. Still, she and Blossom had hauled him inside, laying him on the bed in their spare room. She'd seen his face properly for the first time.

  Sure there were attractive men in the world, and California held a fair share of them including her husband. But this man's raw masculine beauty amazed her. Tyler had been a clean cut American boy. His big baby blues and dimples melted her heart from the moment she'd met him, so many years ago.

  But this stranger was different. She couldn't stop staring at his lips, or his long nose. His eyes tilted slightly, giving him an exotic aura. She ran her hand over his high cheekbone and along the angle of his jaw, his skin smooth under her fingertips.

  As for his body… oh my. She pealed off his top layer searching for injuries before the doctor arrived. His upper body would put the so called Hollywood hunks and muscle men to shame. His torso was divinely sculptured, with a few roped lines. Tanned caramel skin reminded her of sweet tasty fudge. The rounded muscles on his shoulders told Summer his arms were strong. She wanted to trace over the dips and hollows of the amazing eight pack of his lower stomach with her hands then follow up with her tongue.

  She dared not venture any lower. If the rest of him was in proportion to his upper half… She picked up his left hand examining the small cut on the back. His large hand dwarfed hers. She ran her fingers over his palm and along his fingers, feeling his rough calluses. They were the hands of a man who obviously understood hard work.

  Summer, startled by her lust-filled thoughts, lay his hand down and grabbed the blanket to cover him up to his neck before taking a step back.

  Damn it, what the hell was she thinking? How could she betray Tyler like this? Lusting after another man. Anyway, no doubt he was some self-absorbed gym junkie on vacation, who had gotten lost on a hike. Men like him never even glanced at women like her.

  Women like her? A scarred, damaged widow no longer of any worth to anyone but her daughter.

  "How are you holding up? Getting him off the road and into the house would have put a heck of a strain on your leg and side."

  Doc dried his hands studying her critically.

  "It's okay. I'd taken some pain relief just before it happened." Omitting the fact she'd also changed a tire. She ached all over and knew she'd be suffering even more by morning light. She backed up as Doc moved through into the open area of her house where his bag sat. She watched him rummage though it before pulling out a yellow tube of pills with a white lid.

  "Here are a few Propoxohene capsules. You will need them later."

  She shook her head, not wanting to accept the opiate. She'd tried hard to avoid the stronger narcotic pain killing drugs, despite having the occasional bad day. "Thank you, but, I'll manage. Blossom made me some heat bags at Girl Guides last week. The heat treatment does wonders."

  Richard placed them on the table, ignoring her refusal. "Keep them just in case. You don't always have to be strong. I can understand the pain from your damaged muscles. Over working them will have made it worse."

  Richard had been her doctor ever since she'd been able to move back to the family home after her rehabilitation in Los Angeles.

  "Alright, thank you. Is there anything else?"

  "Nope, just take care when he wakes up. He's a big son of a bitch. Call me in the morning and let me know how he and you are doing."

  "I will, I promise." She gave the older man a smile of gratitude. "Thank you."

  He reached out to pat her on the arm then headed for the door. He opened it before pausing. "Shall I inform the sheriff of your visitor?"

  Summer didn't want the local cops involved, but would accept it if necessary. "No, don't do that, if the man wants to file charges for me hitting him, I'll call the sheriff myself."

  "I'll bid you goodnight then." He walked down the steps to his car. She waited until the taillights vanished before turning off the porch light.

  "Everything okay, Mom?" Blossom peered out from her room.

  "Sure baby. Doc said the man would be okay. I need to watch him tonight, just in case."

  Blossom had changed into her favorite koala print pajama's Summer's mother had sent from Australia.

  "Have you cleaned your teeth?"

  Blossom smiled a toothy grin to prove she had. Summer smiled. "Give me a kiss goodnight then."

  Blossom ran into her arms. Summer hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head. "Sleep sweet, baby. I want you to lock your door, just in case, okay?"

  Blossom huffed in annoyance. "Okay, but I think it's gonna be okay."

  Summer smiled at her daughter's optimism. "I hope you're right. Off to bed now."

  She watched as her daughter wandered down the hall vanishing into her bedroom, waiting until she heard the lock slide into place.

  Summer went around making sure every part of the house was locked tight. She limped back into the spare bedroom. The man still breathed slow, deep even breaths. She settled herself on the counter armchair, and dragged a blanket over her lap.

  It was no longer just her left side that ached; her whole body throbbed. The painkillers barely suppressed the pain. She should get up and get the heat bag her daughter made, but right now as she closed her eyes and lay back, she just couldn't will herself to move.

  ~ * ~

  Melor blinked against the light streaming in the window. A dull throbbing on the side of his head, and tenderness along the right side of the body, made him aware he had been injured.

  Yet the softness under his body and the plain white low roof above him, also informed him he was not in Kell.

  All he could remember was falling backward into the portal then the sudden flash of bright lights.

  With slow careful ease, he drew in a deep breath taking in soft floral scents and fresher air than that of the city of L.A. He began to stretch and move his limbs, assessing the state of his body for any impairment.

  A prickle of awareness he was not alone made him glance about the small room, startled to find a child sitting on the side of the bed staring at him with a small smile.

  Such a beautiful little waif, large blue eyes surrounded by long dark blond lashes, her cheeks round and ruddy, perfect symmetrically bowed lips. Her hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders framing her beautifully.

  "Hello." She smiled. "How are you feeling?"

  He frowned in confusion.

  "Where am I?" His voice was rough and hoarse, his throat dry and in need of water.

  The child, as if sensing his need, gracefully slipped off the bed. She wore the same kind of clothing he noticed was common in the parts of the earth wor
ld he had visited during his stay. She grabbed a small bottle of water removing the lid and handed it to him.

  Melor eased himself up, gratefully accepting the water and downing it in one long swallow. The child took a step back, looking a little hesitant. Her eyes darted to the corner. Melor followed her gaze to find an earth woman seated in a large stuffed chair, a red and black patched blanket tucked up over her lap.

  Melor was struck by her serene beauty. Dark lashes lay against her pale cheeks. Her hair fell in soft waves down around her shoulders. Her face tilted back and slightly to the side displaying a long graceful neck. Her hair color while different to her daughter's was a darker brown with gold and red highlights, glimmering in sun's rays. He wondered if her eyes were the same shade as her daughter's. He let his gaze roam appreciatively over her upper half. Even though she wore a long sleeved jacket, he could see the swell of generous breasts under the layers.

  Daughter, mother, it meant she had a protector. Yet he learned during his stay on earth, some ladies did not have protectors even though they had children. The foolishness of the human men to abandon or harm their women and children was beyond his understanding.

  He tore his gaze away from the beauty, focusing his attention on her pretty little daughter. He offered his best friendly smile. "Forgive me little one. My name is Melor. You need not fear me. I would never harm you or your mother. You are both very safe."

  The child smiled broadly. "Mom says you never can tell, but I'm Blossom, and that's my mom, Summer. Are you okay? We kind of hit you with our car last night. Mom called the doctor and he looked at you, and said you should be okay."

  "A small bump to my head, but no damage, little Blossom." Melor smiled reassuringly.

  Blossom beamed back.

  "Why does she sleep here?" He nodded towards Blossom's mother.

  "She wanted to watch over you, you know, make sure you were okay." Blossom walked across to her mother, placing a kiss on her forehead.

  "Mom doesn't sleep very good sometimes. Maybe we should leave her to sleep."

  "Would she not rest better on a bed?"

  "Oh, yes, but I don't want to wake her. It's not as if I can carry her to bed." Blossom huffed and rolled her eyes; Melor smiled at her bold disposition.

  "I am most grateful for you and your mother's assistance in assuring my safety. And I do not blame her for the accident. So would you permit me to carry your mother to a bed?" He swung his legs over the bed, and rose to his full height; the dull pain on the side of his head mattered little and was easy to ignore.

  Blossom tilted her head back. "You sure do look strong enough to carry her, but don't blame me if she wakes up and snaps at you. I'm going to make some breakfast. Are you hungry?" She walked towards the door.

  "Aye, hungry indeed. Do you wish me to lay her on this bed?"

  "Her room is the one next to this." Blossom vanished through the door.

  With care, Melor stepped forward and drew the blanket off her legs. They were also covered in the common earth clothing of blue jeans. He leaned in to slide his arm under her legs, and around her back.

  The warmth of her body enveloped him along with her fresh sunshine and floral scent. He closed his eyes, simply breathing her in for a long moment, before feeling his muscles flex as he lifted her into his arms. His gaze fixed on her face, almost willing her eyes to open so he could study their color.

  Summer's soft pink lips parted as she slowly inhaled, before muttering something unintelligible. Her face pressed into his chest, as if trying to burrow closer to his body.

  By the twin moons, every logical thought deserted his mind as desire shot through his body, pooling down into his loins. He swallowed; he could no have such thought for a woman who belonged to another.

  Melor, careful to dip his head so as not to hit it on the shorter doorframe, carried her out into a hallway following Blossom's directions. He walked the few steps to an adjoining room. The door was ajar, so he shoved it open further with his foot to admit him and the soft woman he carried.

  Summer's bedroom was a mix of rich earth colors; reds, browns, yellows, greens. He laid her on top of the covers. A patchwork blanket lay across the bottom. He reached for it, drawing it up and over her.

  She turned slightly to her left side, nestling her head further into the pillow. He stepped back and went in search of Blossom.

  He found her in a large comfortable open spaced area; a kitchen with long wooden bench and food preparation appliances he'd seen but never used himself. To the left was a comfortable looking sitting area, and what appeared to be a closed in fireplace.

  "Your mother now rests on her bed."

  Blossom glanced up. She had set out two small bowls, and filled them with multi-colored little loops.

  "I am curious to know where I am."

  "You're in Redwood County, Mr. Melor." She yanked open the appliance he knew to be a tool in which to keep food chilled. She pulled out a bottle of milk and set it on the counter before twisting off the red cap.

  He lowered his frame onto one of the stools under the bench. It creaked under his weight.

  Blossom poured the milk over the rings and pushed the bowl with a small spoon his direction.

  He glanced at it curiously. "You can call me Melor. I must ask what these little things are."

  "Fruit Loops." She speared her spoon into the milk and bits, shoveling them into her mouth, chewing happily. "You've never had Fruit Loops?" she asked, before licking the thin line of milk from her upper lip.

  "Nay little one, but I have been learning about earth food." Following her lead, he picked up the spoon and scooped the floating bits into his mouth. The sweet fruity taste surprised him.

  "Good, hey?" Blossom grinned.

  "Aye, little lady." Melor quickly finished off his bowl and requested another.

  A giggling Blossom handed him the box. "Help yourself."

  He finished the rest of the contents. "I hope your mother will not wish for these Fruit Loops."

  "Nah, Mom doesn't eat these. Says they have too much sugar and it would be healthier to eat the box than the cereal. But she buys them for me anyway."

  "I do not see how consuming a box would be better for your health." He frowned, glancing over the brightly painted box the breakfast had been housed in.

  Blossom giggled again, her face alight with amusement.

  He found he very much enjoyed making Blossom smile. Melor, being the polite guest, took his bowl to the sink and rinsed it out then placed it on the draining board.

  "Where are you from?" Blossom asked between mouthfuls of cereal.

  "A land called Kell. It is far, far away from here."

  "So how did you end up in the middle of the forest road? Mom said you must be some hiker up from some big city."

  "I was heading home, but instead it seems I was transported here."

  Blossom finished her breakfast then picked up the bowl and drank the remaining milk.

  His mind was a mass of questions, but he knew he must be careful when dealing with humans, even pretty little ones. "Tell me little Blossom, where is your father?"

  Chapter Three

  "The problem is he could be anywhere." Tuthal, sorcerer of Kell, had been fetched when Melor had not arrived home.

  "Anywhere as on earth or anywhere out in the galaxy on any strange planet?" Jane's voice rose on the verge of panic.

  "Melor is a strong warrior. He has fought by my side many times, my love. No matter where he may have ended up, he will survive." Drystan placed his hand on Jane's shoulder; he did not like seeing her so distressed. She turned into his arms.

  "The disturbance of the earth affects the portal. This city is vast and has brought many ladies to the Kingdom; perhaps it is time to move the location to a calmer place."

  "It was my idea to come here, right over a fault line. What if it hadn't been Melor but a lady?"

  "Jane," he cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look up at him. "No one works as tirelessly as
you do for the Kingdom. This is not your fault, do you hear me?"

  She nodded and softened as he held her tightly against him. Drystan glanced past her at Tuthal, who shook his head. Drystan understood it was a slim chance to none finding Melor again, but it did not mean they could give up.

  "I will put all my power into finding him, Jane," Tuthal added helpfully.

  "We'll close the agency for now and wait. Melor is out there somewhere, and I know he'll be trying to find his way home."