Betrayal (15 page)

Where is here, love?  I can’t find you.

At hearing the soft way he said it, I gained some hidden amount of strength that I could have never described to anyone and lifted off the ground.  I needed Ian.  He knew how to keep me safe and I was too stubborn to listen. He was right all along. 

I rolled backward and then forward cutting my legs yet again.  I knew my clothes were hiding very little of my backside and stomach, torn from the goblins and worse when I fell.  The pain in my sides told me my midriff was completely exposed.  I was at least covered on the parts that would completely embarrass me, but somehow I was losing the ability to care.  I just wanted him to find me.

Leaves crunched.

Warmth succumbed my senses, feeling him near..

A sad shaky sigh was loud above me.  And then...his arms were around me. 

“I have you, Grace.  I have you.”

I cried.  Loud and obnoxious, but I couldn’t find a way to care.

“I have her,” Ian shouted over my head.  He was rocking me back and forth. 

When the other footsteps were upon us, I felt something cover my body. 

Thank the gods.  I didn’t want to be found naked.

Found. 

I was found.

I heard shouting all around me as I bounced up and down in his arms.  I could smell him now.  His wonderful scent.

I usually woke up from the crazed episodes of my life in my bed or Ian’s.  Not this time.  We weren’t back at court yet but there was a little more light than last I saw, so it hadn’t been much time.  He must have known I had awoken because he shifted me to see him. 

“Almost there love.  I have you.  You are safe,” his voice trembled.  His face was distorted into all kinds of pain. 

“I know.  I’m sorry Ian.”

“Quit.  You are safe.”

But I was sorry.  I wouldn’t leave the court grounds ever again unless I checked where Rion or a guard was close by to take me where I intended. 
Rion.

“Where is Rion?” I squeaked out.

“He is fine.  The dam—They hit him over the head and took you.”  His voice got heated then softened around the last word.  For me.

Rion
was
with me.  How would I ever be safe if they could take him out?

“Ian, I’m scared.  I should have listened.”

“I know.  It’s going to be okay.”

I would never leave his side again.  Ever.

“I will not leave your room.  Please don’t leave me alone.”  I know I wasn’t being realistic.  And whether he knew I was meaning
all
the time, I wasn’t sure.  But it’s what I wanted.  Right then.

“I will not.”

Pike and Kin led the way in front of us.  I felt like a parade, a float that was falling apart inside and out.  Wrapped in something that smelled like Pike, I floated across the garden in Ian’s arms as the gasps and covered mouth screams crowded around me.   Kin was walking into our court. 

I knew my concerns were frivolous, but I also knew my mind wasn’t quite right on track either.  Exhaustion and pain led the way.

Yells boomed from Pike to clear the way. Kin pushed our guards to the side making my head hurt from the sound of his charged voice.  And finally I found myself in Ian’s room.  No Kin.  No Pike.  Just Ian.

He laid me across the bed gently and unwrapped whatever was around me.  A loud knock at the door forced Ian to howl over me for them to go away.  I cringed at his anger but only because it was coming out so strong and emotional like I myself felt. 

He was checking every inch of my body with his hands.

“Where did they hurt you?” He was frantic now, his voice shaking.  He was looking for signs of what?

The bloody dagger was somehow still clutched in my hand so tight, I watched Ian peel my fingers back to remove it. There was blood on it and my gown. I just watched seeming to replay stabbing the creature and remember thinking I had no remorse. 

I pushed back the thoughts.

“Ian, just scratches.  I just have scratches and bruises from the traveling.  They never touched me other than,” I quelled the really ugly thoughts I had of what Ian’s mind probably thought
could have happened
and to took a ragged breath, “the guard manhandled my arm and clawed me.  I stabbed a goblin chasing me to where you found me.”

Ian turned both my arms over and cursed noisily when he saw the claw marks. 

I am more tired from holding the magic than from the pain.  The scratches would heal.  And Switch didn't get a chance to hurt me.  That made me stronger now.  I won. 

Another knock came at the door.  “I am coming in whether you like it or not, IAN!” 

An angry Miss Dan from my past emerged from the doorway.  That’s the only way to describe her.  She was an angry woman, who combined with the magic of the Fey, always got what she wanted.

“Into the bathroom, now.  Ian, give me three minutes to run the bath and then you will leave her in there with me.  If you need to stand outside the door, that’s fine.”

Whoa!  Don’t mess with angry momma-like Fey women when their babes are in danger. 

Danella disappeared around the corner and I heard the water start up.  Ian folded the bed comforter over me and tucked it in at one side but stopped when I winced in pain. 

“I am going to pick you up now, love,” he hissed as he himself winced like he was feeling every inch of my pain.  I think maybe he was in some way.  He probably held himself responsible. 

“I am okay Ian.  I promise.”  I lied. I shouldn't cry in front of him.  Look strong and he is better focused. 

A muscle flexed in his jaw.  He didn’t talk as he sat me down on the side of the tub.  He watched me silently thinking things he no doubt should not be thinking since the dark look on his face showed a want for murder.

He reached for a cup of something that was on the sink.   I didn’t see it get there, but I drank it eagerly as he tipped it up holding my chin.  The minty flavor was nice, but it burned going down.  It’s not that I went that long without food and water, but rather I could tell my body was in some form of shock.  People, not even Fey, die that fast.

Ian stared back at me, taking in the way I swallowed slow and stealing glances of different wounds and where they were located.  His brain was waring with itself, but his eyes said he disregarded his male need for immediate retaliation to hit something to feel relieved I was okay. 

“Promise me you will stay?”  He nodded setting the empty cup back on the sink.  That kept him here and not anywhere picking a fight.

Danella treated my cuts and abrasions carefully.  Fey medicines made one heal a lot faster.  Some of the cuts were already closing when the bath ended as I heal naturally, or rather unnaturally.  My left arm and hand endured the worst.  I couldn’t move it without pain though is was considerably less than an hour ago.  My face faired the best.  A few cuts across my cheeks and one on my forehead, but nothing deep.  The clawed marks were the worst pain though.  It felt like poison was in my arm.  Danella had paid special attention to them.

When the door opened letting out the sweet smelling lavender into Ian’s bedroom chambers, I just wanted to curl up into the nook of his body and sleep.

My face fell when he was not there.  I crossed the room in a hobble due to the one tree stump catching my foot. It tripped me even though I remebered the lesson before with Pike and tree roots.

The heavy wooden door creaked open just as I landed on my bottom and spread my hands onto the edge of the bed.  He was there in one giant leap and laying me carefully down. 

“I thought you weren’t leaving?” I asked dithering with the sleeve of his shirt looking for blood or signs of a new fight.

“I saw Kin and Pike off as they were standing right outside the door until I vowed to give my word that you were okay.  They both wish to see you.”

“I don’t want anyone else right now.”  All three were together and not killing each other?

He did manage a small crooked smile, but it was gone just as fast as if he was punishing himself for my stupidity.

Danella came out from the bath and said to show she was listening attentively, “I will talk to Pike and Kin and assure them you will see them first thing tomorrow.  Good night to you both.  I will be just outside this door if you need anything.”

No, I have what I need.

Ian moved the covers.  He slid his shirt off.  Weapons.  More weapons.  He reeked of man sweat, but I didn’t care.  His arms wrapped around me and over.  His legs tangled around the one leg that had no pain.  His hand pulled my hair back and tucked it under my neck.  He kissed my shoulder over and over.  I sighed and finally relaxed my whole body. 

The next time I woke he was still exactly as he was when I drifted off now kissing the skin under my neck and running his fingers up and down the length of my shoulder blade.  I shivered at his touch and feeling it wholly. 

“Grace,” his voice was hoarse.  “I almost lost you.”

He was crying, red lines streaked in the white of his eyes.  I
know
tears and he had them. 

“Please don’t ever do that to me again.”  He was more than begging. 

“I won’t.  I promise,” I whispered. 

He kissed my shoulder and said against it, “Are you able to get dressed? Many are ready to see that you are alive in here.”

How long have we been in here?  As if hearing me he said, “It’s been over thirty-two hours since you left the court.  They are worried for you.”

Wow! 

I moved my legs and arms, disentangling myself.  Stiff didn’t even explain how I ached.  And my bladder.  I prayed I made it to the bath room.

He moved over and asked if I needed help.  No way am I acting all invalid on him.  He would not see me use the restroom.

“I’m okay,” I lied trying to hide how my face scrunched up.  I needed to walk by myself to show him.  The dull ache that lingered in my legs made me wobble to and fro, but I made it nonetheless.  My arm had shooting spikes that felt like little needles.

It was then that I noticed him in full.  He had a shirt again.  Clothes half tucked in and out.  Lopsided.  His hair was everywhere.  He.was.a.mess.

“Um, are you gonna change?” I tried to make my face smile but I couldn’t take my eyes away if I tried.  It would distract him from focusing on me.  With appreciation even disheveled, I took my time looking him over.  I rarely got the chance to divest him of clothes even in my mind.

He watched me...watch him. Then he finally dropped his eyes. “Grace, my attire is the least concern.  However, your current thoughts are not what the doctor ordered, so let’s worry about me later.”

Fine!  Ouch!
  My leg hurt.

  I heard the door creak and wondered if it was Ian slipping out or Danella slipping in.  Both, come to find out.

In the bathroom I almost lost it.  The mirror gave me a firsthand look at the damage made to my skin. It wasn’t creamy anymore as I had once heard it described.  It was jagged and sliced up.  I closed my eyes long enough to take care of bath room business and wash my face.  As careful as I was, it hurt to touch.  Most of the scratches and cuts were healed, but I had little marks all over me.  Appreciation for all the times a guy moves the branches and brambles out of the way through the woods.

Danella opened the door as I twisted the knob.  I was thankful in that moment that Ian thought so much of me as a human that he remembered to put doors in our room.  Huh! 
Our
room.  I called it
our room
.

No other room in the court had doors, except the two rooms I stayed in.  Their bathing areas had screens and such, but no doors.  So Danella’s intrusion was nothing to me because she had walked in on me for over nineteen years. 

She saw my tears and snuggled me close.  “Oh, Grace.  You silly girl.  You doubt the Fey medicines.  We will make you all new again.”

“But Ian has scars,” I protested.

Danella’s face saddened and stayed that way.  “We can’t fix iron made wounds.  They are permanent.”

Ahhh!  My own face fell a little.  I gained battle wounds and could erase them.  Yet, Ian had taken a wound for me, and I couldn’t erase it and that would haunt me no matter how the scar arrived there.

“Follow me young one.  I will show you.”

She made me lie on the bed and spread out all my limbs. 

“Where is Ian?”

“Right outside that door.”

“Why?”  I was puzzled as to why he would leave me.  I asked him not too.

“I asked him to give us a few minutes of privacy to make you all you again.”

Oh!  “Thank you, Danella.  You always think of me when I seem to seldom think of you like I should,” I offered feeling like such a horrid person.

She giggled.  “That was all I could have wanted to hear.  I love you so dearly, Grace.  And always have.”

She loved me.  Wow!  Knowing it and hearing it were two different things.  The power of words. 

Danella’s hands were tender and caring.  She explained that not all of the Fey had the same abilities tied to them and each was appreciated for what they have. A kind of glow spread across where her fingers wiggled kind of like a “bippity boppity boo” spell. Then she pulled out little pockets of herbs like I’d seen others use and spread them across my wounds still in bundles.

When she finished Ian was there.   He spoke to Danella about my wound status with his eyes not leaving mine.  I hadn’t moved an inch from the Fey magic she’d spread over me.  Head to toe healing herbs were involved, but it was mostly magic.  No human used these that I knew of.

He finished his short conversation with her and moved ever so slowly to me.  Too slow.

“How are you?” His eyes flashed and then looked down the length of my body not in a heated way but as if he were measuring the leftover wounds maybe.  Standing above me, I looked up at his face keeping my hands perfectly still on my stomach. 

“I’ve been better,” I tried for humor’s sake.  It was better than a pitiful scarred up queen who was really just feeling sorry for herself inside.  The selfishness of being vain tore a hole in my heart, but I had to live with this body a long time.  I didn’t mind his body being scarred up, he was still gorgeous to me.