Healer's Touch Read Free

otherwise, was an indulgence she couldn’t afford. She had always done what needed to be done, and never let herself shed a tear over the inevitable. The path she navigated through life might not be an easy one, but it allowed for some small contentment. She enjoyed her work, not just here in the infirmary, but also in the alleys and taverns of the city. Even if Aru decided she was no longer necessary to him, there was money to be made, fun to be had.
    She sighed and forced herself to see that for the lie it was. More and more these last months, she had concentrated her time and attention here with Aru and his patients. She hadn’t had occasion to provide her more sordid services to a customer in more than a month. She hadn’t, come to think of it, even set foot in her own apartment in nearly a week. Damn it, but it was comfortable here.
    Dangerously comfortable. Maybe it was just as well that Aru was about to send her packing.
    In the other bed, the injured woman stirred, moaning hoarsely.
    Viera’s hand went self-consciously to her disheveled hair, then she crossed to the bed and sat gingerly on the edge of the mattress. Gently taking the woman’s hand, she waited for her to regain consciousness.
    Blonde eyelashes fluttered against pale, pink-freckled cheeks. Eyes of an incongruous dark green fought to focus on Viera’s face.
    â€œWhere?” Inella croaked.
    Viera smiled down at her. “You’re safe.”
    Inella swallowed with difficulty. Viera knew by now that with the blood she had lost, the woman would be very thirsty. A cup of cool water sat on a narrow table in the sliver of space between the beds. Sliding one arm beneath the woman’s shoulders, she held Inella up and put the cup to her lips so she could drink. As Viera settled her back down on the pillow, the woman frowned at her.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œI only know what I was told. Your house collapsed. It fell in on you.”
    The woman’s eyes widened. She looked around the room and began to panic when she found it empty. “My children? My mother?”
    â€œThey were hurt, but not badly. Your daughter has a broken arm, and they will all need some stitches, but they’re otherwise all right. Master Aru sent them on to the Kurgan hospital.”
    The young woman’s eyes glistened and her chin quivered. “Kurgan?”
    Viera patted her hand. “Don’t worry, ma’am. They’re scary, I know, but there are no better healers than the Kurgae’in. Well…” she smiled, “there is one better, but he was busy. With you.”
    Inella tried to sit up, then winced and clapped a hand to her side.
    Viera helped ease her back down. “Here, let me look.” Lifting the edge of the blanket, she took in the mottled bruising over the woman’s ribs. “Can you breathe without pain?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYour ribs were broken. Aru will have mended the bones, but the muscles around them will still be tender. You’re no longer in danger, but you do need rest.” Tucking the blanket back around her, she squeezed the woman’s hand and started to rise. “I’ll go and get you something to eat—not too much, just a bit of broth for now. And I’ll send around to the hospital that you’re awake. I’m sure your children will want to see you’re safe and sound.”
    â€œThank you, miss.” The woman’s face crumpled and her eyes bled tears.
    â€œOh my dear, you’ll be fine, never fear!” Viera cried, taking both the woman’s hands in hers. “You’ll see.”
    â€œBut—” Inella bit her lip.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œWell, the Kurgae’in will want to be paid, surely, and your Master Aru too. And I’ve nothing to pay them with but my clothes and the body in them.”
    Viera squeezed her hands and smiled, her heart giving an odd twist. “Don’t fret, Inella. My master