Page 109 of Ruling the Green

“It will hopefully keep her from feeling this next part too much.”

“It’s going to be that bad?” I asked.

Vishen’s gaze cut to me. “Yes. And Nira is strong. I’m going to need both of you to hold her down.”

My stomach twisted at the idea of having to hold down a woman writhing and screaming in pain. But if it meant she would survive this, I would do what I needed to do.

“Cora?” I asked, looking back at her.

She gave me a tight nod.

Vishen grabbed his razor and made short work of shearing off Nira’s gorgeous hair.

My stomach heaved as I looked at the gash down her scalp, but Cora’s face was impassive looking at the same wound.

“Alright. Hold her down as hard as you can,” Vishen said, washing his hands in the clear alcohol, then reaching for a needle and thread.

Oh, God.

I pressed down on Nira’s arm and leg as Cora did the same. Then I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to ignore the way my stomach lurched as Nira’s body jolted and she let out a scream I was sure I’d hear in my nightmares for years to come.

“I know. I know,” Vishen said, voice tight. “I’m sorry. Fuck, I’m sorry,” he continued as Nira thrashed and cried.

Tears streamed down my own face and I thanked the universe when Nira eventually went slack, unconscious from the pain.

Only then did I risk opening my eyes.

“The head wound is done,” Vishen, hands covered in blood, eyes red, said as he peeled the rags away from her side.

“Are you okay?” I asked, sniffling.

“No.”

He cleaned her side with water before reaching for the alcohol. He paused, exhaling hard, steeling his face, then poured.

Nira shrieked awake, eyes wild, pained, confused.

“You’re okay,” Vishen assured her, but he didn’t sound certain. “Halfway done.”

There was no reasoning with Nira then, though, driven half-mad with pain as Vishen threaded the needle again and started to stitch her side back together.

Only this time, there was no mercy of unconsciousness. Nira cursed and begged until all that was left were harsh, sharp breaths and a body so taut I wasn’t sure how she didn’t snap.

Vishen snipped the last stitch, exhaled hard, then leaned up, pressing his face into her neck.

“It’s over. It’s all over. You’re alright.”

Feeling like I was suddenly in the way, I released Nira—whose arm lifted heavily so her hand could rest on the back of Vishen’s neck—then climbed off the bed, taking Cora with me into the hallway. Knight was in the room, whining. Almost like he knew things were dangerous and was upset that he couldn’t help.

“He’s friendly. Until you need him not to be,” I told her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded as she reached out to pet the dog. “Are you?”

“No,” I admitted, leading her into my quarters, where I scrubbed at the blood on my hands, on my face, and neck.

I chugged water, offered Cora some, then stripped out of my ruined gown. I didn’t reach for another of the fancy dresses, though. Instead, I grabbed the freshly washed borrowed outfit from Nira.

I could still hear the screams, shouts, and clanking of swords from outside. If this was a war, I wanted to dress the part.