He offered his arm, which she gladly took, admiring the man’s firm musculature. His forearms were thick and hard, and standing close she could feel the hidden bulges of his arms and shoulders as she brushed up against him as they walked.
The gardens were not as expansive as she’d expected. One of the smaller inner courtyards, but one with carefully manicured flowers, trees, and bushes. It was beautiful, no doubt, and impressive in its alienness. But this was nature forced to conform to the will of man. She wanted to see therealnature of this world.
“Soon,” Draikis said when she made her desire clear. “For now, just enjoy the fresh air and sunshine on your skin. We’ll take a few laps and see how you do. If your energy holds, we can plan a longer outing in coming days.”
“Fine,” she grumbled, letting go of his arm and striding ahead of him. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
His laugh was bright and joyful. “As you wish. Lead the way.”
Ella did just that, walking the perimeter, then the inner pathways, crisscrossing between the different rows of flowers and plants.
Other priests were present, tending to the plants in silence, only their stares making plain their discomfiture at the womanin their midst. They knew she was being healed in their walls, but to see their unexpected guest? It was a bit much for some.
“Harlot,” one hissed, eyes shooting daggers of displeasure at her presence.
“Brother, mind your tongue. This woman is our guest. Behave accordingly.”
The man scowled but said no more, turning his attention back to the task at hand, angrily weeding as he watched her pass.
Draikis put his hand on her lower back, gently redirecting her to a different path. Normally, it would have annoyed her, but after spending so much time with him, she was okay with it. In fact, she felt a little jolt of heat flare in her belly and a spike in her pulse at his touch, much to her surprise.
Draikis didn’t seem to notice. “Pay them no mind. The men tending the gardens tend to be the younger brothers. Their oaths are still somewhat fresh, as are their priestly runes.”
“Poor guys. I’m a distraction, am I?” she asked, watching Draikis’s expressions closely.
His grin was warm and amused. “To some.”
“And priestly runes, you say?”
“Those of our order. They help ensure the vows are upheld. There can be no Infala bonding among our kind. Not ever.”
Infala bonding. I’ve heard him talk about that a few times now. Some kind of special connection that has to do with their tattoos somehow. A big deal, from what it seems. I guess I can’t really go asking about it, though. Not without giving away my real story. No runes equals no life. Best to just zip it.
“Ah, yeah, of course,” Ella said, playing off her confusion. “I suppose we’ll need to shift our walks sooner than later and maybe go outside proper. You know, to make it easier on these poor guys.”
“Of course,” he said with a chuckle. “When you are ready, I shall make it so. But tell me, how do you feel? The healers were quite confident in your recovery.”
“Wait, you said they thought I wasn’t—you son of a bitch! You just said that to get me out of bed!”
“And it worked.”
“Ass!”
“I’ve been called far worse,” he replied with a laugh. “But yes, we will expand our walks, and sooner than later. You’ve performed admirably today. Let’s get you back for dinner and a rest. You’ll surely need it after the exertion.”
“I feel fine.”
“I’m sure you do. But you’ll need your energy for tomorrow.”
“What’s tomorrow?”
“What you requested. Tomorrow, we go outside.”
Comfortably back in her room Ella ate more than usual and slept sound and long, her body happy to drift off with a full belly, recovering from the day, recharging for more, just as he’d said she would. And more it would be.
The next day’s trek was taken at a slow pace—she was still just getting used to walking on her newly healed bones, after all. But they covered quite a distance, both inside and outside the compound. A tour of the expansive grounds followed by a loop of the exterior, all at a leisurely stroll.
“Sit. I brought lunch,” he said after several hours of walking.
