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“You don’t have to, Ayla I will Just tell me what to make”
Ayla looked up and saw Thefona, and s for all of us,” she said Then she turned back to check on Shevonar He struggled with every difficult breath he took She wanted to make him more comfortable, but when she tried to move him, he moaned in pain She shook her head, surprised that he was still alive, then reached for herto see what she had to ht, with dried linden flowers or licorice root to sweeten it
The long afternoon wore on People caained consciousness and asked for his mate, then slipped back into a resdess sleep several times His stomach was distended and hard, and the skin was al to hold on just to see her again
Soet a drink, found it emp
ty, then put it down and forgot about her thirst Portula had cos were She still felt self-conscious about her part in Marona’s trick and tried to stay out of the way, but she saw Ayla pick up the waterbag, shake it, and find it e, and returned with the cold water
“Would you like a drink, Ayla?” she asked, holding out her dripping waterbag
Ayla looked up and was surprised to see the wo cup “I was a little thirsty”
Portula stood there for auncoize to you,” she finally said “I’ that joke on you It was not a very nice thing to do I don’t knohat to say”
“There really isn’t anything to say, is there, Portula?” Ayla said “And I did get a warh I doubt that hat Marona intended, I will get use out of it, so let’s just forget about it”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Portula said
“There isn’t anything anyone can do to help I’m surprised he is still with us He asks for his mate when he wakes up Joharran told hi on for her I only wish I could do more to make it easier for him, but most iven him a skin soaked ater to wet his , it would make it worse”
Joharran was out in front of the shelter looking south, the way Jondalar had gone, anxiously waiting for his return with Relona The sun was falling low in the west, and darkness would follow soon He had sent people to collect uide the some frolazed, and the leader knew death was near
The youngto a last shred of life, Joharran hoped his mate would arrive before he lost the battle Finally, in the distance he sawHe hurried in that direction and was relieved to see a horse When they were closer, he went to Relona and guided the distraught wo
As she drew near, Ayla gently touched the man’s arain He opened his eyes and looked at Ayla “She’s here Relona’s here,” she said Shevonar closed his eyes again and shook his head slightly, trying to make himself wake up
“Shevonar, it’s me I came as fast as I could Talk to me Please talk to me” Relona’s voice cracked in a sob