so quiet on the trip. She knew he was unsure about her coming, but she hoped their ordeal brought them closer, that he felt something between them the way she did. Perhaps he wanted things to go back to the way they were before they left, where Liz was just a friend of Lexie’s and he was the protector of his family, willing to sacrifice everything to keep them safe.
Swallowing the hurt that was building in her chest, she double checked her pocket for the small vile that would save Ruby’s life. If nothing else, at least she didn’t fail at bringing home the blood. Saving Ruby was always her main goal. She could give Braden space to decide how he felt about her, but in the meantime, she would do what she had to in order to get through the day.
Come on Liz, put on your big girl pants.
It was hours before Liz had a moment alone with Lexie. Once inside Endellion and Donovan’s house, the entire coven descended upon them with questions and even chastisement for the decisions they made. While Braden had to explain why he wasn’t forthcoming with his family about his travel plans, Fianna and Endellion drilled Liz on whether or not she was hurt in anyway.
Teagan’s mother wanted details as well. Noticing Liz’s sadness, Aileen, brewed some flowery tea and forced her to drink it to restore her spirit. Liz knew her mood wasn’t a result of some unholy influence – it was because after all they had been through, she wasn’t sure where that left things with her and Braden. Watching the entire family together, especially Lexie and Torin who arrived together arm in arm, Liz felt more like an outsider than ever.
After a quick discussion as to whether the blood would do more good than harm, Endellion brought Liz and Lexie up to Ruby’s room to administer the cure. Standing in the entranceway of the private space, Liz almost turned her back to flee. Glancing at Lexie, her longtime friend gave an encouraging nod.
“It’s okay Liz. She’s always loved you. She’ll want you here.”
Moving slowly into the room, seeing her friend’s mother again was shock. Ruby’s body looked even thinner than she did just two days before. The angry rash from the lycanthropy virus left open red ulcers all over her skin. She had always been an attractive and vivacious woman, but curled on the bed with patches of hair missing from her scalp and dark rings under her eyes, Lexie’s mom looked like a stranger.
“Hello Ruby,” Liz said, finally speaking. Wrinkling her nose, she tried to keep her breaths shallow. Although the room and linens were kept spotless, illness flavored the air.
“She hasn’t been strong enough to communicate, but she can still hear you,” Endellion reassured.
While Torin’s mother mixed the vile of blood into some tea, Lexie helped raise her mother into a sitting position. Holding the cup to Ruby’s lips, the woman labored to take light sips. After a few minutes, the liquid was gone. Endellion helped lower Ruby back on the pillows. From where Liz stood, she wanted to believe Ruby’s cheeks looked a little less sunken in, but she knew wishful thinking could play tricks on the eyes.
“What if it doesn’t work?” Liz asked, looking from Endellion to Lexie. “How will we know?”
“She’ll improve Love, that’s how we’ll know. You were very brave in trying to help her. She’ll carry that along with her on which ever path she is destined to follow.”
Endellion spoke with such understanding. Liz wished she could be so self-assured in life and trust that everyone had a path leading to a predestined fate. Perhaps in all of Endellion’s years, she did know more than Liz ever could.
Did she know when she met Donovan that they were meant to be? Or that Lexie would belong to Torin forever?
“Lizzie,” Lexie said, breaking her from her thoughts. “Last night, I told Mom to hold on and to not give up because you were going to rescue her. She squeezed my hand because she knew you loved her enough to see it through.”
Liz smiled. It was a wonderful thing knowing you could give back to someone who gave you so much. She just hoped that it was in time.
“She is blessed to have both of you.” Endellion replied softly, rubbing Ruby’s hand. “I’m going to help refresh your mum with a clean nightie. Why don’t you girls take some time to relax? I’m sure Liz is quite