Page 65 of The Ranger

“I have faith in you.”

Part of him wanted to laugh. But the outburst wouldn’t do any good so why bother?

“Maida will be fine,” Bowen said. “I assume what happened had something to do with why you’re here?”

He noted the doctor picked his words carefully. Mr. Adams the blacksmith might around somewhere.

“I do not know.” He stood, towering over the other man. As he did most. “I will leave.”

“And go where?” Makama asked. “You need to stay near her.”

“It might harm her.” He looked at each of them in turn. “And I do not know how I will react if I see her faint again. I...” he looked at each of them again. “I cannot fight my instinct.”

“Instinct to do what?” Bowen asked.

Markhel arched an eyebrow at him. “Protect.”

He gave Markhel a sage nod. “I see.” He turned to face Vale and Makama. “I admit I don’t know all the particulars of what happens when two of his kind are brought together. But I do know a few basics. I’ll help in any way I can.”

“Thanks,” Makama said. “We appreciate it. I just wish I knew where Kwaku ran off to.”

Bowen nodded. “He told us a few things the other day when they paid a visit. After Maida left of course. She happened to be there when they arrived, and Elsie and I got back to town shortly after.” He gave his attention back to Markhel. “He explained what it is your... other heart needs to survive. But Maida...”

“We know,” Makama said. “It’s everyone’s main concern. How will she feed him once they’ve joined.”

Bowen smiled. “Yes, it poses a problem. But hear me out. If there are other ways to feed one’s... inner heart, as you call it, then couldn’t Maida take care of him simply by being who she is?”

“What?” Vale said. His face screwed up in confusion. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Bowen patted Markhel on the bicep. “He must exert power; it has to go somewhere. But what if it could mix with another source of power? What if it could… join with something else? Isn’t that how all this works?”

Vale and Makama exchanged a look as Markhel stared at the doctor. “What are you saying?”

Bowen smiled. “I’ve known Maida Comfort since she was born. In fact, I brought her into this world. She has a gentleness about her, a sweet innocence that is so palpable, you can feel it.” He smiled again. “Perhaps you are familiar with the fairy tale,Beauty and the Beast?”

Markhel’s eyes narrowed. “I am not.”

“I am,” Makama said.

“As am I.” Vale glanced at Markhel and smiled. “Do you think she could gentle him?”

“I think she could compliment him,” Bowen said. “But he’ll have to find a way to take her in.”

Markhel sank onto the bale of hay again. “What must I do?”

Bowen sat next to him, put a hand on his shoulder, and said nothing. Markhel sensed something, and his heart didn’t feel so empty. Melvale was awestruck by the country doctor due to his relationship with the divine. But this wasn’t a matter of being able to accept whatever the doctor could do. This was about accepting what Maida was. And not even she had any idea what that was. But the doctor was right about one thing. She had a gentleness that permeated the space around her. He’d felt it, and it made his protective instincts kick in. She was helpless as a lamb, and that bothered him. Would she remain that way once they joined? She was, in fact, the opposite of him in every way.

One of his eyebrows began to rise as that sank in. If she was indeed his opposite, then together...

He stood and headed for the stable’s wide doors.

“Wait, where do you think you’re going?” Vale hurried after him. “You aren’t heading back to the hotel, are you?”

“I am.” He went through the one door that was open and stood outside a moment, his eyes on the hotel. “I must remain near her.”

“Yes, but what if you lose control again?”

He looked the prince in the eyes. “That was not losing control.” He started for the hotel, heard Vale audibly gulp, and kept going. The Bergs were right; they wouldn’t be able to handle him if his instinct took hold. The urge to protect her was overwhelming, and his inner heart might perceive not only them, but her own family as a threat. If he accidently harmed one of them, Maida would never accept him willingly, and the bond would be doomed.