Ria's Visions (Hearts of ICARUS Book 6)

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “Scratches don’t bleed that much, Ria,” Declan said, a note of alarm in his tone when he caught a glimpse of the blood running down her throat from her chin.

  Star’s ears folded back as she turned her head as far as she could toward Ria without moving her hip. “You are still bleeding, Ria?”

  “It’s not much, Star.”

  “What did you cut yourself on?”

  “I don’t know for sure, but it seemed really sharp so I think it was a rock.”

  “Blood rock,” Star said with a soft growl. “Those can be very dangerous. The wound will not stop bleeding until the poison is washed out with much water, or the fluid which burns.”

  “Antiseptic?” Declan asked as he got up, stepped around Star, and knelt on the floor in front of Ria.

  “Yes, that’s the word. I’m sorry, Ria. I didn’t know you were still bleeding or I would have said something sooner.”

  “It’s not your fault, Star, and we didn't have anything to flush it with anyway.”

  Declan waited for Ria to stop talking, then he inspected her chin carefully. It wasn’t bleeding heavily but it was a steady stream. He unzipped Ria’s jacket a few inches and paled.

  “Dr. Jula, Ria has a two-inch gash in her chin that goes to the bone,” he said. “The entire front of her shirt is soaked in blood, and she's bleeding steadily. Did you hear what Star said about blood rocks?”

  “I did,” Dr. Jula said, joining Declan in front of Ria. She examined the injury quickly but with her usual gentle touch. “This is a nasty gash, Ria.”

  “It’s really not that bad, Dr. Jula. Star’s injury is much more serious.”

  Dr. Jula looked up and accepted the towel Corin had ready for her. “We’ll flush it as soon as we get to the infirmary. In the meantime, I want you to hold this against your chin, firmly but not too hard. You know the drill, Ria. All right?”

  “All right, thanks,” Ria said, reluctantly accepting the towel.

  “Tell me about your arm.”

  “I fell on it.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “I think I might have cracked it,” Ria admitted reluctantly. “I heard it snap.”

  “Which bone?”

  “The humerus.”

  “Corin, did you happen to bring an air splint down?”

  “No, Dr. Jula, I didn’t,” Corin replied. “Shall I go get one?”

  “It’s been like this for a couple of hours now,” Ria said. “I can keep it still a little longer.”

  “You sure?” Dr. Jula asked.

  “Positive,” Ria said. “It’s really not that bad.”

  “Just keep it still,” Dr. Jula said again. She waited for Ria to agree, then moved back to continue her examination of Star’s injury.

  “Declan, I’d like to go back to the Bihotza now, please,” Ria said quietly.

  “Dr. Jula is here, Ria. Your arm needs to be set and that wound needs to be flushed out. You should remain at least until those things are done.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” Declan asked in surprise.

  Ria sighed. I can’t tell him the truth. Story of my life.

  “Dr. Jula has her hands full with Star, who needs her help far more than I do. My arm can wait and I can flush this little cut out myself.”

  “Broken bones can cause serious damage if left untreated. You know that.”

  “It’s all right. It might not even be broken, Declan. There’s no need to make a fuss over me.”

  Declan frowned. In the five months he’d known Ria she’d never uttered a single argumentative word with anyone. Now she was arguing with him over having her injuries treated. “I don’t understand, Ria.”

  “I do,” a new voice said as another large figure stepped into the now crowded cargo area. “Lady Ria, I’m Admiral Talon Katre. You are welcome to remain on the Hilgaria for as long as you wish.”

  Declan shot a look of confusion at Talon, who decided not to return it. Revealing Thorn’s treatment of Ria to Declan at this time could cost his brother his life.

  Ria fixed her eyes on the floor, her entire body trembling now and not from the cold. “That’s k-k-kind of you, Admiral, but not n-n-necessary.” She clenched her jaw, willing herself to stop stuttering. “Declan, please…,” she whispered before Star interrupted her.

  “Please stay with me, Ria. Until the cubs are born. I know I have no right to ask more of you, but I have no one else, and I trust you.”

  Ria’s eyes closed as she fought back the panic that loomed closer than it had in…well, a while. As much as she wished otherwise, she couldn’t ignore the plea in Star’s voice. Or the fear she felt rolling off of her in waves. She knew all too well what it felt like to feel alone and helpless.

  “Of course I’ll stay with you until the cubs are born, Star. Nothing’s going to happen to you, but if you need me, I’ll stay.”

  “Thank you, Ria,” Star said with relief. “Thank you very much.”

  “Ria, why are you soaking wet, and Star is dry?” Dr. Jula asked, frowning.

  “I had a blanket in my hands when we got transported to the planet,” Ria explained. “I remembered Vari saying Star was white, so I used the blanket to cover her when the Nomen came close to us, hoping it would camouflage her. When it started raining, I figured it would be best for her to stay as warm and dry as possible, so I left it on her.”

  Every eye went to the blanket Star was lying on, then back to Ria, who didn’t notice the looks since she couldn’t see them. Talon had to fight back the growl that rose in his throat.

  “You did good, Ria,” Dr. Jula said after a brief silence. “You took excellent care of Star.”

  “Yes, Ria,” Declan agreed. “You did very well. I’m proud to call you sister.”

  Ria’s mouth nearly fell open at that, then she blushed hotly and ducked her head further. “Thank you, Declan. That means a very great deal to me.”

  Declan placed one hand on Ria’s shoulder, sensing her emotional pain though he didn’t know the reason for it. He stood and helped her to her feet.

  Corin handed Dr. Jula a white, half inch-thick rectangle about two inches wide and four inches long. She took it, then waited while he turned around, eyes searching the items he’d brought down from the infirmary. He started to apologize again, then spotted the small control board he was looking for lying on the floor beside the case of supplies he’d brought.

  He picked it up and handed it to Dr. Jula. She smiled her thanks, then moved so that she was kneeling in front of Star. She held up the thin rectangle so Star could see it.

  “I’m going to slip this underneath you about here,” she said, pointing to an area about mid-way along the Brun’s body. “When I activate it, it’ll expand underneath you. It might feel a little strange, but it won’t hurt you.”

  “May I ask the purpose of this, Dr. Jula?” Star asked nervously.

  “It’s a platform that we’ll be able to raise off the floor with you on it, and then take you to the infirmary without you having to stand or walk.”

  “I thank you,” Star said with a dip of her chin. Not getting up again sounded good to her.

  Dr. Jula laid the rectangle on the blanket and then slid it under Star’s body, pushing it with her fingers until she guessed it was about in the middle of her side. She slipped her fingers out and reached for the control board.

  “Just try to relax Star, okay?”

  “Yes, Dr. Jula.”

  Dr. Jula pressed a button on the small controller and Star felt an odd, almost tickling sensation as the rectangle expanded beneath her. She was startled to see it gradually appear beneath her legs and feet, but she remained still, though relaxing was impossible.

  When the stretcher finished expanding it extended beyond her on every side by several inches. Dr. Jula clipped the control board to one edge, then pressed another button. She remained close to Star, placing one hand on her shoulder and rising to her feet as the stretcher lifted off the floor. Star was g
rateful for the doctor’s hand because she did startle when the odd platform beneath her began to rise. It stopped when it was as high as Dr. Jula’s waist.

  “Okay?” Dr. Jula asked.

  “Yes, I am now. This…object is quite strong. I don’t feel it giving beneath me at all.”

  “Good,” Dr. Jula said. “It’s going to float along beside me, but I’ll stay right here, so don’t be nervous.”

  “I shall try,” Star said, looking around. Her relief at finding Dr. Jula to be everything Ria had said was enormous. She was equally relieved to find that Declan and the Admiral called Talon seemed sincerely concerned about Ria, unlike Thorn. But it was seeing Ria behind her that helped her to relax.

  Ria exited the ship, navigating the ramp with caution since she didn’t have her cane. As soon as she reached the deck she moved to stand near Star’s head. She knew Star was more relaxed now, but still in a lot of pain. She also knew that her touch would help, even if she didn’t know why. Unfortunately, with one hand holding the towel to her chin and the other arm broken, she was unable to pet and soothe the Brun. She lowered the towel and turned around, looking for a place to put it.

  “Olchuk,” Talon hissed as he stared at the blood soaked towel. Ria didn’t hear him and had no idea he was even looking in her direction.

  “Ria, here,” Corin said. She turned to find him in front of her with what she assumed was a fresh towel. He took the soaked one, careful not to touch her hand as he did so, then waited for her to take the new one and press it against her chin. “You’ll want to keep that in place, Ria,” he said in a low voice that hinted at a meaning she didn’t immediately grasp. She nodded and moved back near the head of the stretcher while she thought about it.

  During the months she’d worked in the infirmary she’d come to know the medical staff fairly well. Corin was one of two senior med-techs who rotated between the Bihotza and the Hilgaria. He was the most skilled, the most intelligent, and the kindest of the bunch, so she didn’t doubt that whatever he was trying to tell her was for her own good.

  It wasn’t until she caught herself swaying on her feet while waiting for Dr. Jula to make sure Star was settled that she got it. She’d been bleeding steadily for more than two hours now, she guessed. She didn’t think she was bleeding too heavily, but two hours was a long time. If she wasn’t careful, one of these Clan Jasani males was going to decide she needed to be carried, and Corin knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t react well to that.

  Declan had touched her a few times already, and she’d managed not to recoil or flinch away from him. But as much as she trusted him, she doubted she’d be able tolerate even him carrying her at this point without having a total melt-down. She kept her broken arm close at her side, and resolved to keep the towel firmly in place despite not being able to pet Star. Then she tried to come up with a way to get attention away from her.

  “How bad is Star’s injury?” she asked Dr. Jula.

  “It’s serious,” Dr. Jula replied, guiding the stretcher with one hand while they set off across the landing bay toward the elevators.

  “How serious?”

  “It’s deep enough that it cut into her hip bone. I need to get Star under a scanner to see how much damage was done.”

  “Will I lose the limb?” Star asked. Her voice sounded calm in everyone’s mind, but Ria sensed her fear and wished she could pet her.

  “No, Star, I won’t let that happen,” Dr. Jula said.

  Ria winced, catching Dr. Jula’s attention. “What is it, Ria?”

  “I just realized that without knowing what medications she can tolerate; you won’t be able to give her anything to numb the pain.”

  “If I’m able to keep my leg and walk, I will pay the price in pain without complaint,” Star said, and Ria knew she meant it.

  “That won’t be necessary, Star,” Dr. Jula said, then shifted her gaze back to Ria. “While we were on Jasan I updated the Bihotza’s med system from the Clan Jasani medical database. I always do that when we’re in port there since there are so many male-sets on the Bihotza. While going through the new data I noticed that Tonka’s medical records were included in the update, along with a list of medications compatible with his physiology.

  “Doc included the information just in case we were lucky enough to find more Brun, and I’m very glad he did. I sent the data to the Hilgaria’s med system earlier, then spent the time waiting for you to get back here reviewing it.”

  “Might I ask, who is Tonka?”

  “He’s a Brun,” Ria replied. “Like you, he was on a world run by the Doftles. His pack, and all the other Brun on that world, were killed by the Nomen. Princess Salene rescued him, and has claimed him as part of her family. You’re the first living Brun we’ve found since Tonka.”

  “That reminds me,” Declan said. “Star, are you aware of any innocent people or other Brun down on your world?”

  Star’s ears folded down in an expression of sadness that Ria didn’t need to see because she felt it. “The Doftles took all of the slaves away and replaced them with Nomen. They began killing the Brun at the same time. My father was alpha of our pack, and he overheard the orders. The Nomen attacked him, but he managed to warn the pack in time for most of us to escape before he died. We were the last Brun pack living, but eventually the Nomen hunted us down. I am the last.”

  Ria, Declan and Talon raised their right fists to their hearts and bowed solemnly. Dr. Jula released the stretcher and pressed her palms together, bowing her head as well.

  “Please don’t take this wrong, but I’m surprised at the kindness all of you are showing me.”

  “We know what the Nomen are like,” Talon said. “Star, I must also ask you a question before we get to the infirmary and Dr. Jula gives you medication.”

  “Very well.”

  “Even though we did it to save your life, we have taken you away from your world without your permission, which goes against our laws. When we leave here to continue our journey, we probably won’t be coming back. If you want us to return you to your world, we’ll wait here until after Dr. Jula patches you up, and after your cubs are born, then send you back.”

  “And if I do not wish to return?”

  “Then you are more than welcome to remain with us,” Declan replied. “When we return to our world, you’ll be welcome there, too. In truth, Star, we very much want you to remain with us, but we will honor your wishes, either way.”

  “I thank you for offering me the choice,” Star said. “I would prefer not to return to that world. There is nothing there for me and my cubs but death, either by starvation, or at the hands of the Nomen.”

  “We are sorry for your losses, Star,” Talon said. “But we’re happy that you’ll stay with us.”

  Elevator doors whooshed open and Dr. Jula guided the stretcher inside. Ria followed, but there wasn’t enough room left for Declan and Talon.

  “You go with them,” Talon said to Corin. “We’ll join you in the infirmary shortly.” Dr. Jula waited for Corin to enter the elevator and pressed the button.

  The moment the doors closed, separating Ria from Talon Katre, her shoulders relaxed. Even with Declan’s presence to keep the Katres on their best behavior, she felt very much like she was in enemy territory. She was also at a distinct disadvantage since she was wounded, sight impaired, and defenseless. She didn’t even have her cane anymore.

  If Declan left, and with her luck he would, and if Talon and the other brother, whatever his name was, were anything like Thorn, she didn’t have a single hope of escaping the Hilgaria until they’d unleashed their hatred on her, too. Why they harbored such anger over an incident they knew nothing about, and that didn’t touch them in any way, was a mystery to her. But that didn’t lessen the pain Thorn had inflicted, and she didn't think it would lessen the pain of whatever the other two did, either.

  As long as they don’t figure out I’m their berezi, and as long as they keep their hands to themselves, it doesn’t matter w
hat they say. It’s like in that Peter Pan story…no, that’s lying. Wait, no, that’s Snow White. Or is it Pinocchio? Yes, that’s right, Pinocchio with the long nose. What kind of name is Pinocchio anyway? What kind of name is Snow White? It’s redundant. Like naming someone Wet Water, or Warm Heat.

  “Ria?”

  She blinked, surprised to see the elevator doors open and Corin waiting for her to follow Dr. Jula and the stretcher. “Sorry,” she said, blushing. “Tired.”

  “No problem.”

  “Thanks though,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. “For before, you know.” He nodded once and then she was past him, hurrying to catch up with Dr. Jula and the stretcher.

  “Dr. Jula, will you be able to do anything about Star’s pain before the cubs are born?”

  “Yes,” Dr. Jula replied. “I’ll have to use a local anesthetic, but it should help. Once the cubs are born I’ll be able to give her something stronger before I work on the injury.”

  “That’s good,” Ria said. “Between the injury and labor, she’s been in a lot of pain for a while now.”

  “I know,” Dr. Jula said, stopping the stretcher in front of the infirmary doors. “We’ll help with that in just a minute.”

  “What about you, Ria?” Corin asked while Dr. Jula opened doors. Ria blinked in Corin’s direction, not understanding the question. “You must be in pain, too,” he clarified.

  “Not so much,” she said. Star tilted her head slightly, and Ria knew that Star knew she’d just lied. Not because Star could sense lies, but because she could sense how much pain Ria was really in, just as Ria could sense Star’s pain. Star didn’t contradict her, though, which Ria was grateful for.

  They entered the infirmary and Dr. Jula used the controls to make the stretcher rise slightly above an extra-large, Clan Jasani sized medi-cot. The stretcher moved over the medi-cot, then lowered onto it.

  Corin grabbed some clean towels and began rubbing the moisture from Star’s feet and legs. While he did that, Dr. Jula sat Ria down on a stool, examined the wound on her chin with gentle fingers, then gathered a few things together. She flushed the wound thoroughly with antiseptic, knowing it had to hurt despite the fact that Ria gave no sign that she even felt it. She didn’t even tense up. Dr. Jula wondered at that, but didn’t mention it.