Healer's Touch Ch. 14

"Philip, come here." Rand called from Gracie's side.

Philip stood wearily before walking over to them. He was exhausted. He had used every ounce of his power to make sure that those three babies had made it. He wasn't about to tell them that only the girl would have survived if he hadn't intervened. The boys were too small to survive; but he had used his magic to make sure that they lived. His true power was in the healing arts even though he had kept the truth of it a secret from his brother and the rest of the world.

"Thank you," Gracie said softly when he knelt down next to her.

"It was nothing."

"Don't lie to me, healer." Gracie said softly.

"What?" Rand said in surprise.

"He's a healer. I felt the spell that he cast when the babies were born. He paused time for a few minutes. You healed my babies didn't you?"

"I..." Philip felt his cheeks redden. He dropped his eyes until the Prince spoke.

"Did you heal my sons?" Rand demanded.

Finally Philip nodded. He didn't want the gratitude that he knew was coming.

"Why did you kidnap my wife, if you were a healer." Rand finally asked.

"My country." he finally said. "I simply wanted to return to my country."

"You risked a lot to go home." Rand said finally.

"Put yourself in my shoes. If someone came along and stole your crown from you, wouldn't you do everything in your power to get it back?" Philip asked.

"Probably." Rand said after a moment. "but that still doesn't change how terrible what you did to Princess Gracie was."

"I know." Philip said in resignation.