“Your power,” he said as if it were obvious and tossed the dirty rag to the side. His eyes flicked up to mine. So dark. So endless. “This is going to hurt.”
Before I knew what was happening, he had grabbed gauze and shoved it into the mutilated hole in my leg. The scream that tore up my throat burnt, the pain so deep and consuming I couldn’t breathe. I looked away from him, my hair forming a curtain in front of my face. I didn’t want him to see the tears trickling down my face, but I couldn’t hide the sound of my sobs. I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to scream again. He pushed against my leg, the pain threatening to pull me under. My head was spinning, my heart racing. My leg felt like it was being torn off my body.
“Fuck,” the Commander cursed, sounding far away. My body was shaking uncontrollably. Cold sweat dripping down my temple.
“Here,” a woman said. I couldn’t open my eyes even if I tired. Something pressed to my lips and a warm sweet liquid coated my tongue before darkness enveloped me.
Eighteen
Blood Bound
Ilaid on the furs for what felt like hours, maybe even days, fading in and out of consciousness.
When I was awake, the pain was relentless, all encompassing. Sleep gave me no reprieve, offering only nightmares of the Dead Sea, a blade tearing through my heart or dark eyes watching me from the shadows.
The tent entrance rustled, and I braced myself forhispresence to return. I hadn’t been conscious enough to see who was tending to me, any time the pain spiked, a warm liquid would be pressed to my lips and unconsciousness would embrace me.
A tall slender female with long dark waves cascading to her waist stepped into the dim light. My eyes focused on her pointed ears. Diamonds pierced through the tips and dangling jewels hung from the bottoms. She regarded me and grinned, canines on view. My heart sputtered as fear spread through my body.
“Oh, good. You are awake.” She paid no attention to my obvious fear and continued walking closer to me, her black skirt swaying around her. These creatures were not verymodest, but it seemed warmer here. She placed a tray down in front of me, the smells luring a rumble from my empty stomach.
“You must be absolutely starving, darling. I will tend to your wound after,” her singsong voice held the same accent as the Commander. I eyed the food suspiciously. I spooned what looked like meat and grains into my mouth, but there were other things I didn’t recognise. A moan tore through me as the flavour spread over my tongue. Spices I had never experienced exploded on my tongue as the fresh vegetables melted in my mouth.
The Fae female watched me with amusement as I ungraciously downed the entire bowl.
“Thank you,” I mumbled and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand despite the warm blush that had crept up my cheeks over my lack of decorum.
She nodded, her waves softly bouncing. “You are welcome, now come, let me look at this wound.” She moved towards me, and I flinched instinctively.
“Oh, please, darling. Whose clothes do you think you are wearing?” Her plump lips formed a soft frown. “I have looked after you for the past three moons and you fear me?”
My body relaxed slightly. If that were true, she wouldn’t hurt me. Would she? “Wait, are you saying I was asleep for three days?”
She smiled softly as she began grabbing supplies off a nearby shelf and laying them out on the table. “Yes. You had lost a lot of blood and depleted your magic, and the spear had torn through your bone. It was difficult for me to heal and more comfortable for you if I kept you unconscious. I hope you understand.”
“Who are you?” I asked, curiosity prickling my skin. If my wound was that bad, I should have died or lost my leg.
“My name is Cerilla.”
“Lyra,” I returned. Withholding my last name felt like the right thing to do and I noticed that she had as well.
“Well, Lyra, you are lucky I happened to be here amongst all these brutes when you… arrived. Or you may very well be dead.” She finished preparing what looked like some sort of paste in a stone bowl before kneeling next to the bed.
“I was merely visiting, you see.” Her slender fingers paused over my bandage and her dark eyes lifted to mine. “May I?” she asked. I nodded reluctantly, and she began unwrapping my bandage. I braced for pain, but she was patient and gentle in her movements.
“Have you taken control of Stonebriar?” I blurted, my voice shrill.
Her giggle grated against my patience.
“Goodness no. We have far greater threats than Mortals darling, the Commander got what he wanted and got out.” She finished unravelling my bandage and I took a quick intake of breath. It was nothing but a pink puckered line against my pale skin.
“What threats?” I murmured, unable to tear my gaze away from my healed leg.
She sighed, “I have said too much already. My dear brother will already be enraged.” She began cleaning my wound with cold gauze. A dull ache pulled at healed skin, but nothing more.How is this possible?
“Your brother?” I asked carefully. I needed her to keep talking, any information could help me.
“The Commander,” she said with a soft smile.
