by Frost Kay
“You need to eat soon.”
“That’s not helpful,” she retorted. “I can’t control what they give me.”
“You’ll die soon.”
“Not soon,” she whispered. “Slowly. At least they’ve given me enough water,” she whispered, curling up into a ball. As hungry as she was, it wasn’t enough to keep her awake. Her eyelids were so heavy they closed of their own volition and she shifted her sheet so she was cocooned inside it. “Tehl?”
“Yes?”
Tears burned the backs of her eyes. Just hearing his voice was a comfort, even if his presence was imagined. She slid her hand out of the sheet with a faint tremor. “Will you hold my hand?”
Silence. It was a ridiculous question. She needed the comfort of human contact, but it was ridiculous to ask her hallucination to do so. She started to pull back when she felt Tehl’s hand slip into hers and squeeze three times. Tears filled her eyes. Jas did that every night they fell asleep in the jungle. Sage pulled his hand closer and swore she smelled his spicy scent.
“Thank you,” she said, grateful.
“You’re welcome, love.”
Then, she slept.
Sage
“I’m dying.”
“No, you’re not,” argued Tehl.
Sage twisted her neck to face the direction of Tehl’s voice. “I’m not even strong enough to move anymore. It won’t be long.”
“You have to fight.”
She laughed weakly. “I can’t fight starvation.”
“You’re giving up.” It was an accusation.
“What do you expect me to do? I can’t do anything.”
“Don’t give up hope.”
“How exactly? There is no hope. I’m in enemy territory with no hope for rescue, no hope for escape, and no hope for recovery. The situation is hopeless.”
“So, you’re going to give up? Just like that? You’re going to let Jasmine’s sacrifice be in vain? That’s selfish and weak.”
Her anger flared. “Shut up, Tehl! Why can’t I be selfish and weak, just this once? I’m dying, for heaven’s sake!” She blew out a frustrated breath. “Just let me go in peace. I can’t be strong all the time. Why do you expect me to be?”
“Because I’m you.”
She blinked. In that moment something occurred to her. She was holding herself to a higher standard than she held everyone else. It was she who never allowed herself to be weak. She never allowed herself to be taken care of. She was harder on herself than anyone else, and she made excuses for others when they made mistakes, but for herself, she accepted none. Tears pricked her eyes at the thought.
And then she made another realization. “I don’t have to be the martyr.”
“No, love, you don’t.”
“Will my parents be disappointed in me?” she asked.
“No, Sage, your parents are beyond proud of you. They worry, though.”
“That’s what parents do.”
“Indeed, it is.”
“What about your father? I worry about him.”
“He’s not beyond helping. You’re proof of that.”
Sage thought about Sam and Gav. She never thought she’d want more brothers, but after living with them, she found she didn’t want to live without them. They’d become her family. Then there was Tehl. Painfully, she shifted onto her side. “And what about you? Do you need me? Will you be okay?”
“I won’t lie and say I don’t need you. Even you must be able to see that.”
She snickered and then winced when her stomach cramped. “I never know what will come out of your mouth. You make me laugh.” A small smile tightened her dry cheeks. “I didn’t expect that when I married you. Surprisingly, your awkwardness is somewhat charming.”
“Call me ‘Prince Charming.’”
“Never,” she retorted, and curled up tighter.
“But back to before, I will be okay, you know. I’m a survivor, like you.”
She closed her eyes. “I never thought about it that way.”
“We’re a lot more alike than you realize.”
She snorted. “I realize it. I’m just not sure I like it.” A yawn. “I need to sleep now… I’ll talk to you when I wake up.”
“Okay. Sleep sweet, love.”
“M’kay.”
“You need to wake up,” Tehl urged.
“I’m too tired.”
“Open your damn eyes!”
Her eyelids sprang open at his demand, only to slam shut. Stars dotted her vision, and tears leaked out.
“What have you done to her?” someone snarled. “You almost killed her! What were you thinking? You weren’t thinking! Get out of my sight!”
Someone moved into the room and knelt beside her to brush the hair from her face. “Oh, wild one,” a deep and smooth voice whispered. “What have they done to you?”
She cracked an eye, only to be blinded by brightness, and immediately squeezed it shut again.
“Close the door!”
She sighed in relief when the darkness returned.
“Sage? I need to move you. Can you open your eyes for me?”
Flopping her head toward the voice, she forced her eyes open. The room was dark, but one sliver of light shone from the door, giving just enough light that she could make out a face in the darkness. “Hello,” she whispered.
The face leaned nearer. An extremely handsome face. A perfect face, with eyes as dark as pitch. “Are you here to steal my soul?” she asked.
Her heart stuttered in her chest with the breathtaking smile he gave her. “No. I could never steal something like that, nor would I want to. If I were to keep a soul, it would have to be given to me.”
His words didn’t make sense, but it was such a pleasure to see something after being in the dark for so long. Not to mention being with someone so stunning. It was almost too much. His dark gaze roamed from her face to the sheet covering her nude body. By the darkening of his face, it was apparent that, as he looked on her, he found no pleasure in it. His face hardened, and she flinched back when he met her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” He bowed his head for a moment. “What hurts?”
“Everything.”
A nod. He lifted his head and pushed shiny black hair from his face. “I need to move you somewhere I can take care of you. Is that okay?”
Hope fluttered in her chest. “You’ll take me out of here? I would love to see the world again before I die.”
“You’re not going to die,” he said with conviction. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
He eyed her sheet. “I’m going to lift you and wrap the sheet around you. Can you hold on to it while I lift you?”
She didn’t think so, but she wouldn’t admit that. “Yes.”
A whimper escaped her when he wedged his arm underneath her back.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, and lifted her to her feet.
Pain hit her like a wall, but she managed to keep the sheet barely clenched in her fist, the fabric draping down her front. Cool air chilled the backs of her thighs and back. She swayed into a firm chest as her knees buckled. The warm arm pressed against the bare skin of her back, anchoring her to his chest.
She clenched the sheet tighter in her fist when he tugged on it.
“You need to let go, so I can wrap it around you.”
She still didn’t let go. It was like her fingers wouldn’t unclench.
“I promise I’ll not look,” he said in a gentle voice. “On the count of three, let go. One, two, three…”
Sage let go, shaking. She hissed as he wrapped the fabric around her sensitive skin, and tucked the ends around her, still holding her against him.
“Brace yourself, I’m going to lift you.”
Her nostrils flared as the pain stabbed at her from all over when he swept her off her feet and into his arms. Her arms trembled as she wrapped them around his neck. Everything hurt, and all she wanted to do was go to sleep again.
> “Close your eyes. The light will be too much for you.”
She took one last glance at the space she had expected to be her coffin, and then peeked up at the man studying her. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’ll never be your hero. Now, close your eyes.”
His words didn’t make any sense to her, but she obeyed as he began moving toward the door. “Open the door.”
She hid her face in his shirt when the light draped over them like a long-lost friend. She wished she could open her eyes.
“You’ll be able to see soon,” he murmured over her head. “But you’ve been in the dark too long. Your eyes need time to adjust.” He shifted her in his arms, but at her sharp breath, he paused. “What?”
She shook her head, his linen shirt caressing her forehead. “It hurts.”
“I know. Soon the pain will all be over.”
He picked up his pace and the bright light soon faded; even the air cooled.
A creak of leather. “My lord,” a masculine voice said then.
“Fetch broth, Maeve, and have Ezra create a draught.”
“It will be done.”
Silence. Not fading footsteps. Had the other man left?
A door opened and slammed shut. The air heated, and it was like she was breathing steam.
“Everyone out. When Maeve arrives, send her in. Also, close the curtains.”
There were more people in the room? She strained to hear any sound, but nothing. Damn Scythians and their sneaking.
“I’m going to set you down. Don’t open your eyes.”
He placed her on something soft. She sank into it, reveling in the luxury. She heard the rustling of cloth just before large arms plucked her from her new bed. She growled.
“Hush. I’ll let you sleep soon enough.”
The sounds of lapping water reached her ears, and then they were descending. Warm water soaked her feet, shocking her, and her eyes flew open. It was dark enough that she could just make out a large room with a massive hexagonal pool in its center. And they were in the pool. “Wh-what are you doing?” she squeaked.
“Getting you cleaned up.”
“No!”
She blinked up at him. His expression was firm, with a stubborn set to his jaw; apparently, this was happening with or without her consent. His gaze roved her face.
“I’ll not ravish you in the pool, if that’s what you’re worried about. But you need to be cared for.”
A blush heated her face. “It’s my body.”
“True, but it won’t be your body if you’re dead.”
He had a point. “Isn’t there a woman who can help?”
“No. I’ve helped many women birth babes. The female form is nothing new to me. Your modesty has no place here.” He descended further, submerging her body in the warm water.
Her jaw clenched when he sat on a submerged pool ledge and pulled her body into his lap, tugging the sheet from her.
He hissed, and Sage squinted down at her bare body. She couldn’t see much, but what little she could make out looked like a collage of colors accented by silvery slashes, but that wasn’t the worst of it. It was like her skin was too big for her body. She looked like a monster.
“You’re not a monster.”
She’d said that out loud? Fatigue hit her hard, and she collapsed against the warlord’s bare chest.
“That’s it. Just relax,” he crooned. “I’ll take care of you.”
A warm, sudsy cloth started on her hand and carefully moved up her arm. Sage kept her eyes closed, blocked out everything happening to her, and focused only on the warm water and the comfort it gave her. She checked in when he washed her stomach and the tops of her thighs, but his hands never strayed to her important bits.
His hands moved to her head, and she hummed, soothed by the soft touch of his hands through her hair. His hands stilled.
“You like that?”
“Mmmhmm… My mum used to wash my hair and brush it for me. I love it,” she said, not knowing why she gave a stranger that information.
“I’ll remember that,” he rumbled and began washing her hair again.
A few times she hissed as he untangled her matted locks, but for the most part, it was the best thing that had happened to her in a very long time. It was the last good memory she’d have before she died. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he hummed.
She let herself drift and was almost asleep when a knock jarred her.
“Enter,” the warlord called.
“I have everything prepared, my lord,” a female voice answered.
Sage pressed against his body, both embarrassed and scared that she still couldn’t see the woman speaking. The warlord hugged her closer and ran a hand down her wet hair. “I’ll bring her out.”
A door clicked softly shut, and the warlord turned toward her. She could feel him regarding her. “Can you wrap your arms around my neck?”
She shook her head, all strength gone.
“No matter,” he said and he picked her up, sloshing water around, and ascended from the pool. He placed her feet on the floor and wrapped his arm around her back. A fuzzy towel rubbed against her head and then gingerly wrapped around her body. Once again, she was swept into his arms and moved into another dark room where she was then placed on the softest bed she’d ever felt.
“I can take care of it from here, my lord,” the female voice offered.
“No, Maeve.”
“Do you think that’s wise? You’re on edge.”
“It’s not your concern,” the warlord responded and ran a hand over her head again. “I’m going to remove your towel, Sage, but I’ll cover you with blankets.”
She nodded, not caring as long as she didn’t have to move from this spot. The wet towel disappeared, and warm blankets were smoothed over her. She sighed and snuggled in deeper.
“You don’t get to sleep yet. You have to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll eat.” His tone brooked no argument. His palm cradled her head, and something was placed at her lips. “Drink.”
She opened her mouth, and something warm and savory met her taste buds. She gulped down more and cried out when it was taken away.
“You have to drink slower, or you’ll get sick.”
Sage nodded. She’d have agreed to anything as long as he brought back the delicious broth. She forced herself to take small sips, but before long, she turned her head away. “No more.”
“You hardly ate anything. Just a little more,” he coaxed.
“No,” she moaned, her stomach cramping painfully.
“Let her be,” the female said gently. “It’ll take time.”
A hand smoothed the damp hair from her face. “Sleep sweet, wild one.”
She sighed and did so.
She shivered, hearing voices while heat licked inside her veins.
“She needs more,” a dangerous voice snarled.
“If I give her more, she’ll change,” a soft male voice answered. “Do you think she’ll follow you meekly when she doesn’t even recognize the girl in the mirror? She’s just a breeder anyway.”
“She’s mine. I’ll do with her what I want.”
Why was it so hot?
“But—”
“I didn’t bring you here to challenge me. Obey me or suffer the consequences. You know what’s on the—”
Stars above, it was bloody hot. She was burning. She whimpered and rubbed at her skin.
A cool hand touched her brow. “Sage?” a deep voice crooned.
“Burning,” she whispered.
“I’ve got you,” the voice whispered.
Something pressed to her cracked lips, and blessedly cool liquid coated her tongue. Instantly, the burning began to dim, and the darkness sidled closer, like an old friend, an old friend Sage welcomed with open arms.
Sage
Sage awoke to a pounding in her head. Her limbs felt heavy, and she thought about just going bac
k to sleep when she noticed dull light dancing behind her eyelids. Light? Could she really be seeing light? Or was this another trick of the mind? She bolstered herself and cracked one eye.
It was real.
She lay in a giant room with couches and chairs scattered in cozy nooks. Wanting to see more of the room with its luxurious rug and woven tapestries, she turned her head but immediately regretted it. She brought a shaking hand to her throbbing temple. It was as if there was someone inside her head ringing a gong over and over. Carefully this time, she turned to the right and then froze. A man held her hand, and he was fast asleep in a chair that was far too small for him. It was the warlord. Her eyes ran over his shiny raven hair that had fallen over his face and down his bare chest. Sage blushed and returned her gaze to the hand clutching hers. Maybe if she pulled just right, she could extract her hand. She loosened her grip and tried gently tugging her hand from his.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, she looked up at the man now staring at her. “Moving my hand. It fell asleep.” The lie fell easily from her lips. Thank goodness for quick thinking. He ran his thumb over her wrist and let go, still watching her with his onyx gaze. She wet her lips and asked, “Why are you here?”
“Someone needed to care for you.”
Her brows slashed down. “Why?” What did the warlord want?
“Because you were sick.”
“Because of you,” she whispered.
“I never meant for you to be there. To be locked in the dark.”
She flinched as the memory of blindness slammed into her.
He leaned closer, his hands laced with his elbows on his knees. “I promise.”
She stared at him. Everything told her he was the enemy and a liar, but he couldn’t fake the dark circles rimming his eyes. He certainly had been concerned for her. She decided she believed him, but still didn’t trust him.
“How long have I been out?”
“Fourteen days.”
Panic slammed into her. “I’ve lost fourteen days? Fourteen? How long have I been here?”
“You’ve been in my home for six weeks.”
Unbidden, tears sprang to her eyes. She’d been locked in the dark for twenty-eight days? She blinked repeatedly and turned her stare to the ceiling as the tears dripped down her face.