by M. K. Eidem
There’s movement and sound. Voices, many voices. Lisa struggles through the darkness, trying to open her eyes.
“I’ve got you my Lisa, rest.” Grim’s voice leads her from the darkness and into the beauty of his eyes.
“Grim…” She whispers, forcing the words past her bruised throat.
“I’m here Lisa.” Feeling him laying her down, she clutches at him, refusing to let go. Shifting, Grim sits, easing her into his lap. “It’s okay little one, we are home.” Looking away from the comfort of his eyes, she realizes they’re in their chamber.
“The girls…”
“In their room. Padma is with them.”
“Padma…” Confused eyes return to him.
“She was delivering your coverings when the Guards returned with them. She insisted on staying with them, keeping them calm.”
“They didn’t see me.” Worry fills her eyes.
“They saw nothing.” He reassures her. “The healer is on his way.”
“Healer…no, no healer.” She croaks. “I’m fine…I just need to clean up before the girls see me.”
“You are not fine.” Grim forces through gritted teeth, fighting for patience. “You are bruised, have cuts and scratches. Your coverings have been…” Grim finds he can’t go on. His Lisa, the most beautiful thing in his life, has been harmed because of him.
“Grim,” She puts a dirt streaked hand on his cheek. “This is not your fault.”
“Of course it is.” He growls angrily, while carefully covering her hand with his. “I did not properly protect you. Luuken was able to attack you because of it.”
“He was able to attack me because of Baccuus, Focke, and Farber. You aren’t responsible for their actions.”
“I should have realized…”
“What? That you’d be betrayed. No one can foresee that Grim.”
“Sire.” Alger stands in the doorway, hating to interrupt.
“What is it Alger.” Grim looks over his shoulder impatiently.
“Healer Hadar is still with Ion, he states he is still in serious condition.”
“How badly is he hurt?” Lisa looks to Grim’s Captain and sees him quickly look away. Looking down she realizes why, her torn shirt is gapping opening, showing more than it should. “Sorry.” She mummers, pulling her shirt together.
“Hadar has him in the deep repair unit but it is struggling with all his injuries.”
“He is the priority.” Lisa croaks out before Grim can speak, letting him know her desire. “And Nairn?”
“Is out of the repair unit and in the recovery unit. He will be a little worse for wear but will fully recover.”
“They bought us time." She looks to Grim, her eyes filling again. "They sacrificed themselves, so the girls and I could get away. They represent the best of Luda. They shall be treated as such. There is no shame in them being wounded.” She looks to Alger making sure he understands.
“Of course not my Queen.” Alger nods to her before looking to Grim. “There is something else my King, an encoded transmission from the Emperor.” Lisa feels Grim stiffen beneath her.
“I will check it later.” Alger gives him a slight bow and leaves.
“Grim…it’s a message from Wray. You need to see what he wants.” She tells him even as she sinks deeper into the comfort of his arms.
“I need to see that you are cared for.” His look tells her he won’t budge on this and she can’t argue. She’d be the same way if it were him.
“Okay,” She gives him a small smile. “Then will you help me into the shower? I want to get clean…need to get clean… before I see the girls.”
Instead of answering, Grim stands carrying her into their cleansing room. Gently he sets her on the counter and carefully removes her ruined coverings, his hands trembling as he gently touches each mark marring her beautiful skin.
“It’s okay Grim,” She whispers resting her head against his chest. “I’m going to be okay. Thanks to you.”
Grim finds he can’t speak as he carries her into the cleansing stall. Lisa rests trustingly against, him soaking up the comfort of his touch. Instinctively knowing he needs it as much as she does. This hadn’t just been attack against her. It had been an attack against Grim, against the Emperor.
“Did I ever tell you that Peter attacked me once?” Her eyes remain closed, as she rubs her undamaged cheek against his chest, feeling his hands still.
“He attacked you?”
“A couple weeks before Mark died. I wouldn’t sign the papers giving him control of the girls’ trusts. He caught me when I was alone in the garage.” Tipping her head back, she moans, as Grim’s hands sink into her hair, caressing her scalp.
“He…”
“No.” Opening her eyes, she sees his fear. “You saw Peter, Grim. He’s not a Tornian male, I could handle him.”
“What did your Mark do?”
“I never told him.” She sees the disbelief in his eyes. “He was so weak by then, what good would it do to tell him? I handled it and made sure I was never alone with Peter again.”
“You’ve handled much by yourself my Lisa.”
“But I couldn’t have handled Farber and Luuken, not without you. I needed you.”
“You will always have me my Lisa.”
“I know. I love you Grim.”
Lisa sighs tiredly, letting her headrest on the back of the couch. God she’s so tired, the terror of the day, taking more out of her then she thought. Letting her eyes close she doesn’t let herself think about what could have happened, she'd drive herself crazy if she did. She'd learned that with Mark's illness, the would of's and could of's are a waste of energy needed for what was.
And what was, is that Grim saved her, saved her and the girls again before any serious damage could be done. She knows he doesn’t see it that way. That with every scratch, every cut, every bruise that he gently cleaned in the shower he saw failure, his failure. The same way others saw his scars as a failure but she'd take a bruised and battered body any day over what could have happened…would have happened if not for Grim and his warriors and that includes Korin.
Korin protected her because of what Grim had taught him. Against Luuken, endangering his brother, because he still had the honor taught to him by Grim, something even Luuken couldn't destroy. She hadn't missed how he called Grim sire, giving him the respect he deserved while calling Luuken, Lord Bertos’ heir, telling her he still considered Grim his true King. The dipping of the couch has her gazing into concerned eyes. Grim wants her in bed, to rest, not to love.
“Soon.” She promises reaching up to caress his cheek. “I just need to see the girls.”
“And Hadar.” His tone telling her not to argue.
“And Hadar.” She reassures him. “Once he’s done with your warriors.”
“Sire.” Both look to Montfort standing in the doorway and he can’t hide the shock at his Queen’s appearance. The King rushed her through Luanda, allowing no one to see her and now he understands why.
“What is it?” Grim growls his displeasure at Montfort’s continued gaze.
“I’m sorry my King. My Queen.” He lowers his eyes, fighting to stop them from filling.
“It’s alright Montfort.” She reassures, seeing him struggle. “I know I look a mess but I am okay.” She gives him an encouraging smile.
“I have brought a meal for you.” He forces the words out, not wanting his Queen to see how distressed he truly is at her appearance.
“Her throat is damaged Montfort.” Grim informs him.
“I brought several items sire, including soup that should not irritate.”
“Thank you Montfort, that sounds wonderful.” When she goes to stand, Grim puts a gentle but restraining hand on her shoulder.
“You will eat here.” He is unbending.
“But the girls…”
“The little ones are currently eating with your Guard my Queen.” Montfort informs her.
“With my Guard? Why?” H
er eyes fly to Grim. “What’s wrong?”
“There is nothing wrong my Queen. Truth.” Montfort speaks before Grim can. “When it became time for their meal the Guard refused to leave, even a few at a time and the little ones refused to eat unless your Guard did too so they are eating together.”
“Oh…” Lisa finds she can’t speak, as her eyes overflow at these males affection for her daughters.
“Bring in the meal Montfort.” Grim says gently wiping away her tears. Nodding he leaves.
“Your warriors are such good males Grim.” She whispers.
“Our little ones have captured their hearts as much as you have.” Gently he kisses her, taking care with her split lip, pulling away only when Montfort returns.
Grim watches his Lisa closely as she eats, when she falters he takes the bowl from her, feeding her himself. That she doesn’t argue tells him truth, she is hurting more than she wants him to know. When the bowl is empty, she leans back.
“I’ll have Montfort bring more.”
“No, I’m full, but thank you.”
“You are sure?” He frowns.
“I am.” She rubs her hand along his thigh. “I need to go see the girls.”
“No.” Grim denies her.
“What?” He sees the shock in her eyes and knows she has misunderstood.
“You will stay here. I will bring them to you. You will not move from here Lisa.” His voice is as stern as she’s ever heard it.
“I promise…just get them…please…” He sees the concern she’s been trying to hide. She’s trusted him when he said they were unharmed but now she needs to see for herself. She is their mother. It’s her job, her responsibility…Grim finally realizes what he and every other Tornian male has been denied, something truly important, a mother’s love. He’ll make sure his offspring aren’t.
“I will get them my Lisa. Just promise me you will not over do once they are here. I need you to take care of yourself…for me.”
“I promise Grim.”
“Mommy!” How the girls escape Grim’s restraining hands he will never know, but they do, making a beeline for their mother.
“Girls!” Grim cringes, as they dive into her arms, seeing her flash of pain even as her arms enfold them.
“It’s okay Grim.” She waves him off when he would have pulled them from her. Lowering her head, she pulls them even closer, breathing in their clean innocent scent. Thanking the goddess for watching over them until Grim could.
“Mommy…” Carly reaches out a hesitant hand touching her bruised cheek. “You’re hurt.” Her eyes fly to Grim.
“It was the tree baby.” Lisa’s had time to think about what to say to her girls and while she doesn't like to lie, there is no way she can explain what’s really happened. “I told you I would find one and hide until Grim could find us and I did.” She looks to Grim seeing that he understands what she’s doing.
“But what happened mommy?” Miki asks her voice quivering.
“I misjudged baby.” She sees their confusion. “Made a mistake, I thought I’d found a good tree and trusted it but it wasn’t and I got hurt.” She sees the fear in her girls’ eyes. “But Grim stopped me from being really hurt. These are just bumps and bruises…you’ve both had them before right?” They nod. “So don’t worry, I’m going to be fine.”
“Promise mommy?” Miki whispers fearfully.
“I promise baby. Now tell me what you’ve been doing. I hear Padma stayed with you.”
“She did mommy.” Miki tells her excitedly, her earlier fear forgotten. “She said we had to cleanse before she’d let us try on our new clothes…coverings.” She leans back letting Lisa see what she’s wearing.
Lisa looks and sees both girls are wearing clothes she’s never seen before. Looking up, she sees Padma standing just outside the door, Gossamer close behind.
“Thank you Padma.” The tightening in Lisa’s throat has nothing to do with its injury.
“It was nothing my Queen.” Padma looks at her feet.
“It is something Padma.” Tears overflow Lisa’s eyes. “You cared for my children when you didn’t have too. You gave them comfort. I will forever be in your debt.”
“No, I did nothing for yours, you didn’t do for mine.” Grim follows the exchange between the two females and realizes he’s never given Gossamer’s female the respect she deserves. She obviously loves her offspring as much as Lisa does hers and because of this, they have forged a bond that only they truly understand.
“Padma," Grim addresses her directly, something rarely done. "Would you be willing to stay the night? In this wing of course, fully protected, to assist with the care of our offspring so Lisa may rest worry free?”
“My King?” Padma looks at him shocked.
“Gossamer too of course.” He looks her in the eye. “You have proven that you are not only a loyal, but a true friend to my Queen. You could have left Luanda at the first sign of trouble, but you refused, you stayed and cared for our offspring when we could not, in a way no one else could have, this will not be forgotten It will be made known that you are a true and trusted friend to the Queen and King of Luda.”
“I…” Padma doesn’t know what to say. What the King has just said will change their lives. Auyangian women are viewed as scum by Tornian females and at best playthings by the males. It is why Gossamer always keeps her so close. For the King to proclaim her a friend...it will give her unrivaled protection for her and her family.
“We will stay my King.” Gossamer speaks from behind Padma.
The arrival of Healer Hadar has Lisa kissing the girls goodnight as Padma ushers them to bed. When the door closes, she turns to Hadar.
“How is Ion?” She immediately demands.
“He will survive my Queen. Now let me see to you.” Pulling out a palm sized device he moves towards her.
“What is that?” Lisa leans back, looking at the device suspiciously.
“This?” Hadar looks at her surprised. “This is a micro body scanner. It will scan your injuries and assess what needs to be done. You will feel nothing and it causes no harm.” Lisa looks to Grim and seeing his nod relaxes.
“Alright.” As Hadar starts his scan, Grim turns impatiently to answer yet another knock on the door.
“I’m sorry for the interruption my King but we’ve received another communication from the Emperor, this one demanding an immediate reply.”
“Grim.” Lisa pulls his attention. “Go see what your brother wants. The girls are in bed, Hadar is here, I’ll be going to bed as soon as he’s done.”
“Lisa…”
“I will give you a full report my King.” Hadar informs him knowing he’s not going to get accurate readings if the female doesn’t stop moving.
Grim frowns not wanting to leave Lisa but knowing she is right, for Wray to demand an immediate reply means it is important. But leaving her…
“Go." She encourages him with a soft smile, full of love and understanding. "The sooner you leave the sooner you will be back.” Hadar moves aside as Grim walks over, giving her a gentle kiss before looking to Harder.
“You will see she is settled before you leave, will inform her Guard.”
“Of course my King.” He immediately replies.
“Your Guard is posted throughout the wing, my Lisa.” He wants her to know she’s safe and watches her nod. With one last kiss, he forces himself to leave her.
Chapter Twelve
Hadar watches the Queen’s eyes follow the King. This is his first time meeting the female and is surprised that the King would leave her alone with him, than realizes the door has been left open and a Guard stands just outside. He’s heard rumors of how different she is, not only in her appearance but also in her actions. A Tornian female would never remain alone with him. She would demand the male to stay, to protect her, even if no protection is needed.
Looking at this small female, he realizes that she would be within her rights to be screaming for protection. She has been ha
ndled badly, the condition of her face and throat a testament to that but instead of demanding the King stay, she encouraged him to see to his duty, a duty that didn’t include her, unheard of.
He contacted the Emperor’s Healer upon her arrival, hoping he could give him some insights in dealing with her. Tornian females were very demanding of a Healer, especially upon their arrival. Everything must be just how they want it, when they want it, irritations aren’t tolerated, and the household revolves around their needs.
It is a double-edged sword to have a female. Without one, a male has no chance of having an heir but having one cause’s chaos and a drain on the resources of the House.
And this female has caused a great deal of chaos…Luanda has been turned upside down, it has been cleaned and polished until it shined like a House of old. Treasures have been displayed throughout the castle. Staff have been reassigned, many positions elevated, a new Guard has been created. Yes, she has caused chaos, but in a good way.
However, the Emperor’s Healer had offered no insights into this. Instead, he’d offered raw data on the physiology of an Earth female. They were remarkably similar to Tornians, in both their nutritional needs and reproductive systems. They are able to use the healing units, which is reassuring given the condition of the King’s female.
This is why he was especially shocked that she demanded he finish treating the wounded warriors first. A Tornian female would have demanded she be the priority, no matter how insignificant her injuries and this female’s injuries weren’t insignificant. Her lip is split, a bruise blooms on her cheek while her throat shows the marks of an assault. She is injured.
“Is there something wrong Hadar?” Her raspy voice has him realizing he’s been staring at her for several minutes.
“Pardons I was thinking.” He raised the scanner again.
“I can see that.”
“If you remain still this won’t take long.”
Grim stares at the message from Wray and closes his eyes. With everything else that has happened, now this.