by Thomas Rath
He tensed in spite of himself uncertain whether she would attack again. But she didn’t, instead she started to cry. It was too much. The animal had gone leaving her in a state of pain and remorse. He wasn’t sure if she was aware that she had just tried to kill him but the dejected look on her face was almost too much for him to take. What had they done to her?
“Dor,” she suddenly whispered through her sobbing, “please kill me.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
That evening, when Jack returned with Dor’s dinner, they tied Tam to her bed. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Jack asked flabbergasted while inspecting the hand marks around Dor’s neck. “She could have killed you.”
“That is our fault,” Bren answered, drawing Jack’s attention and ignoring Dor as he shook his head behind Jack’s shoulder. “We felt she was still stable enough to control her rages.”
“She won’t be attacking anyone again,” Kat promised cinching the ropes down tight around Tam’s wrists.
“Not too tight,” Bren instructed turning back around to help her. “You’ll harm her if the ropes are too tight.” Jack just harrumphed as if he expected no less from Healers and turned back to Dor. But Dor was looking past him at Kat and caught a chill from the look of hatred that covered her face as she looked down at Tam.
“Now, Dor,” Jack said handing him the plate of food he’d promised from the mess hall. “You make sure you eat all of this and with no complaints. If you want to take a stroll with me tomorrow you’ll do what you’re told.”
“Yes, mother,” he chided, taking the plate and placing it on the table next to his bed. He could tell Jack was upset about what had happened and knew he blamed most of it on the Healers. Tam had passed out right after begging him to take her life and Jack came in just as he was putting her back into her bed. He wasn’t at all happy when Dor told him what happened and immediately started raving at Kat and Bren when they entered the room. They apologized over and over explaining that they were unable to remain in the room at all times and promised that all would be well now that Tam was tied to the bed. They even tried to explain the peculiarities surrounding dranlok and the addictive power it had but he didn’t want to hear it.
Luckily, Jack had not planned to stay long so his tirade was cut short and Dor and the Healer’s were left in peace. Not before, of course, he threatened them with their lives if anything happened to either Dor or Tam. The Healers merely bowed their heads in acknowledgement while saying nothing, having learned early that it was best just to agree with him and let him go.
When the door finally closed Dor sighed and voiced his apologies. “He’s really not usually like this. I think he’s just worried with all that is going on right now. The world is suddenly a much different place and he’s trying to come to grips with it.”
“We all are,” Bren replied, smiling weakly.
Dor chuckled. “I guess you’re right.”
“That’s enough talk now,” Kat chided. “You need to eat your meal before it gets cold. I will go and fetch something for Tam,” she added, a slight look of disdain sliding across her face. “She will need to eat the next time she awakens.” Beaming her brightest smile at him she left the room, watching him the whole way as she passed across the floor and out into the hall.
“Is she all right?” Dor asked, picking up his plate and looking at his meal for the first time. It looked like stew, again. He enjoyed the cooked vegetables that went with it but had a hard time stomaching the meat. He picked up the piece of bread on the side and nibbled at it.
Bren smiled at him. “She’s fine. She’s just…well…you might say that she’s smitten.”
Dor chewed the bread deciding that it tasted rather good and quickly devoured the rest of it. “Smitten with what? Is she sick?”
Bren laughed. “In a way I guess you could say she was.” Then he gave Dor a quizzical look. “You really don’t have any idea about this, do you?”
He looked up, happy to ignore the stew for a little while longer. “Idea about what?”
Bren just laughed harder. “Come on, Dor. It’s so obvious. She’s smitten with you!”
His eyes bulged. “Me? What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything!”
Bren continued to laugh, which was starting to wear on his nerves. He saw nothing funny about this. “You didn’t have to. These things just happen. I don’t know, maybe she’s fascinated with you because you’re a full blood. Being male, I can’t really say anything about how you look, but it’s obvious to anyone who sees her around you, she’s got both eyes set on you.”
He irritatingly mashed the stew around on his plate. “Well, I wish she would stop. I didn’t ask for her to like me. Plus, I don’t like the way she’s always looking at me and smiling. It makes me feel like…like…I don’t know. Like a bird caught by a snake.”
Bren wasn’t much help. He just laughed harder. “I’m sorry, Dor. There’s really nothing you or I can do about it. When it comes to things like this, women are more stubborn than a mid-winter’s cold.”
“Yeah,” Dor agreed, finally scooping up a spoonful of stew. “And more annoying.”
Bren smiled. “Just watch yourself.” Then, taking on a more serious look he pleaded, “And please, don’t hurt her too badly. She’s still young and this is probably her first crush.”
He sighed deeply, resigned to his food and resigned to the fact that he was helpless when it came to dealing with Kat. “I won’t. I don’t want her to feel bad. I just wish she would find someone else to dote over.”
Kat popped through the door carrying a plate just like the one Dor was holding and placed it next to Tam’s bed. Frowning she turned to Bren. “I guess you’ll want me to feed her?” she asked, the distaste of the idea hard in her voice.
Looking at Dor, Bren let out a small sigh. “No, I will take care of it.”
She beamed at him. “Good, then I will help Dor with his.”
Dor looked up in time to see her bounding toward him—the snake coming to finish its innocent prey. “Uh, no…uh…uh…that’s not necessary, Kat. I’ll manage on my own.” Taking a couple of quick and large spoonfuls of stew he shoved them into his mouth and forced them down his throat. “I’m almost done anyway,” he lied, slopping some stew down his chin. “You go ahead and have some time on your own.” He quickly shoved another spoonful down his throat. “I’m sure you would love to see some of the city wouldn’t you? I mean, you’ve been hover…that is, taking care, meaning taking such great care of us all these days, you must be ready for some time to yourself. Right?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly and her mouth dropped to a slight frown. “Not really. One city is the same as the next and Healers aren’t always welcomed by the population.”
Dor’s breath caught for a moment. The snake was hovering.
But then she shrugged slightly. “I guess a little fresh air might be nice for awhile.”
Dor hid his sigh of relief in another bite of stew.
Kat smiled. “I’ll come back later and talk with you then and tell you what I see.”
He almost choked, feeling the stew wanting to come back up as his stomach soured. All he managed was a forced little grin; more stew running down his chin. Bren hid a smile while Kat turned about and bounced out of the room. He groaned. “Bren, you’ve got to talk to her for me. I can’t take this.”
Bren nodded slowly, the smile leaving his face. “I suppose you’re right. It might be better coming from me anyway. The sooner it’s nipped the less painful it will be.” Bren turned toward the door. “I’ll be back in awhile to check on you and feed Tam.”
Dor just nodded, suddenly feeling guilty. But after all, it wasn’t his fault. He hadn’t done anything to ask for her attention. Why did girls have to be so complicated?
As if in answer, Tam let out a soft moan. Putting down his plate, he pushed himself off the bed. He was recovering faster now and his health had improved considerably, but his little wrestling match with her had stolen m
uch of his strength. Reaching the side of her bed, he dropped down in the chair and watched to see if she would wake. The animal look that had been so evident before was now completely gone replaced instead by a gentle softness that he had never noticed in her. Her face was actually peaceful and…well…he guessed some might even say, beautiful. He shook his head. What was he thinking? This was Tam. Tam, the little brat who always had to have her way and who never would leave Thane and him alone. Tam, the spoiled girl who didn’t know what was good for her, the one who wouldn’t stay out of his business and keep close to home where it was safe. Though, grudgingly, he did have to admit she was a tough little thing.
She moaned again, her eyebrows furrowing as she moved her head back and forth as if overtaken by a bad dream. Without knowing it, he felt himself take her tied hand into his own. Bending forward he leaned closer to her face. He caught the smell of her skin and the flower scented soaps they had used to clean the troll stink from her body. He was shocked to find himself admitting that he liked how she smelled and suddenly felt his head get lighter. It was then he realized how soft the skin on the back of her hand was. Her palms were calloused like any Chufa’s would be, male or female, but the back of her hand was…nice. He felt his thumb gliding across her fingers.
She moaned again and he jumped back, releasing her hand and almost falling over in the chair. Just barely catching himself he stood up and righted the chair before sitting down again, but this time not so close.
Tam’s eyes popped open and she stared at him, studying his face as if she knew she should know who he was but not quite able to place him in her mind.
He smiled but was careful not to get too close, his memory, as well as the bruises on his neck, still fresh from their earlier encounter. “Tam, it’s me, Dor. Can you hear me?”
Her face bunched as if struggling to connect the name with his face. Then she just closed her eyes and smiled. “Dor,” she whispered.
With the sound of her voice speaking his name, he suddenly felt weak yet enraptured by the smile on her face and the slight dimple it created on her cheek. “Yes, Tam, it’s Dor. How are you feeling?”
She kept her eyes closed and to his disappointment, her smile went away. “I feel so exhausted.”
He felt his hand moving again wanting to grab hers but he snatched it back. “Uh, that’s probably because you haven’t eaten in such a long time.” Looking at the plate on the table he added, “do you think you could eat something now?”
Her head nodded slightly. “I’ll try. My stomach aches.”
He sighed, suddenly feeling terrible about what he had done to get her off of him. He knew that it had come to either that or let her choke him to death, but he still felt bad for hurting her. He tried to alleviate the guilt by blaming her pain on hunger but it didn’t work very well.
Grabbing the plate of food and putting it on his lap, he placed a hand under her head and slightly lifted it so he could feed her some stew. She put a tentative tongue to the spoon testing the flavor and then eagerly wrapped her mouth around it hungrily devouring the offered fare. “Can I have some more?” she asked in a slight whisper.
He smiled, happy to see she had an appetite and was willing to eat the stew he’d had such a problem forcing down. “Of course. You can have all you want.”
Long moments passed as he continued to lift the spoon to her waiting mouth and then dipped it back down for more. She was eating it so fast now that he had a difficult time keeping up with her. She gulped down every bite not even bothering to chew. More than once she almost choked but kept opening her mouth for more. In quick order the plate was empty and Dor rested her head back on the pillow.
“I’m sorry there isn’t anymore,” he said. “I’ll have some brought in as soon as someone comes back.”
Tam just nodded her head and smiled. “Thank you, Dor, for taking such good care of me. I’m sorry for all the trouble I have caused you.”
He felt embarrassed by her apology. She had caused him a great deal of trouble, almost from the beginning of their lives. Had she not insisted on coming with him over the mountains, he would still be out looking for Thane instead of locked up in a room with her. Not to mention having almost lost his life multiple times on her account. He felt like he should feel some anger towards her for all that had happened but no matter how hard he tried to force it, it wouldn’t come. Surprisingly, he almost felt glad for all the trouble she had caused.
What was wrong with him? He should be spitting mad at her, but he wasn’t. “I haven’t done anything,” he managed lamely. “You just keep getting better so we can get you back home.”
“What is wrong with me?”
That caught him off guard. Could it be she had no recollection of all that had happened? “Don’t you remember?”
She tried to move her arm but found it tied down tightly to the bed. “Why am I tied down?”
He could sense the sudden panic in her voice.
“Dor, what’s going on?”
Without thinking, he reached a hand out and caught hold of hers. “It’s all right, Tam. Relax and I’ll explain everything.”
“But, why am I tied down?”
“It’s because of what made you sick,” he soothed. “You were poisoned. The poison makes you go into fits at times that could hurt you or,” he paused, rubbing his throat with his other hand, “others.”
She opened her eyes and looked at him. She looked like a frightened doe. “Won’t you untie me, Dor? You know I wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
He was still rubbing his neck and thought Right, like I wanted your fingerprints permanently embedded into the skin on my neck.
A tear formed at the corner of her eye and her mouth started to quiver. “Please, Dor,” she whispered. “The ropes are so tight. Please.”
He suddenly felt conflicted. It was only hours before that she had tried to rip his head off his shoulders in a dranlok induced rage. But she was so fragile and pitiful looking. He felt his heart aching for her.
“Please, Dor,” her voice whined softly. “I just want to sit up for a moment and stretch my arms. Please.” The tear that had formed was now sliding down her cheek followed by more.
The way she was looking at him and the way her voice quivered made his head feel light. She was so helpless. And seeing her cry was almost too much. He suddenly felt a tremendous urge to protect her and not let anything hurt her. He looked at the ropes. They were tight. He remembered Kat cinching them down with that awful look on her face. What harm would it do to loosen them for a moment and let her stretch a little bit? He knew what it felt like to be stuck in a bed for long days. What harm would it do? Afterwards he would just tie her down again. And, he wouldn’t untie her feet so she would still be stuck in the bed.
“Please,” she whispered again, the look on her face too much for him to endure.
“All right, Tam,” he squeaked. For some reason his mouth had gone dry. “But just for a moment. Then I have to tie you back to protect you, agreed?”
Her face brightened as she flashed a beautiful smile at him. “Agreed.”
He felt his face get hot and flushed. At that moment, he felt like he would do anything she asked. Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and then grabbed at the rope around her wrist. Twisting it about he found that it had been tied better than he originally thought.
“What are you doing,” she asked, the urgency building in her voice. “Why aren’t you untying me?”
“I’m trying,” he huffed, his frustration obvious as sweat started to bead on his forehead. “These knots are too tight.”
Tam’s head lifted up, her voice growing louder. “Can’t you cut it? Don’t you have a knife or something?”
He looked down at her and flinched, the animal rage had returned to her face. He jumped back from the bed with a horrified look. What had he almost done?
“What are you doing?” Her voice bit the air with its venom. “Come back here and let me go.”
Dor just stared a
t her pitifully and shook his head. “I can’t,” he said just over a whisper. “I’m sorry, Tam, but you’re not well.”
Her face suddenly changed back to the sobbing innocent she had been only moments before, the animal pushed away. “I’m sorry, Dor. I didn’t mean to get upset. It’s just that these ropes are digging into my skin. It hurts so badly. Please, Dor, just loosen them a little. That’s all I ask. Just loosen them.” Her voice was full of pleading and regret pulling at his heart again to see her lying there like she was. Her eyes captured him not letting him go as he struggled inside. He wanted to believe her. More than anything he felt that he wanted to untie her and hold her and let her know it would be all right.
“I can’t,” he finally whispered. “I’m sorry.”
The animal returned in an instant. Tam jerked about trying to pull out of the ropes but they had her down too tightly. She couldn’t pull free. “Let me out of here you mound of goblin dung!” she screeched. “Let me out and give it back to me! I know you took it! Give it back or I’ll kill you!”
Her face was a contortion of pure hatred and demonic rage. Thrashing about, she screamed, cursing and threatening him. Dor just stood back and watched, trying to sooth her by telling her it would be all right but she was beyond reason, first yelling and then crying, trying everything she could to get free or to convince him to let her go. But it was too late. She had revealed her intentions and he knew that to let her go in such a state might very well mean his life.
Finally, after an especially long and powerful rant she collapsed onto her bed and quickly fell unconscious, her energy spent.
CHAPTER NINE
He woke with a start as a bright light washed over his face in a blinding flash. Certain his life was in danger, he pushed against the carpeted floor trying to position himself into a defensive position but found he was too weak to sit up. All he could manage was to prop himself on an elbow. The light was suddenly blocked by the outline of a person standing in what was evidently a doorway. Blinking against the light, trying to adjust his eyes, he could not determine if the individual was a friend or foe though he kept his body tensed with anticipation. The person didn’t appear to be in an aggressive stance, although he felt that he should fear…what? Something didn’t feel right but he couldn’t grasp what it was.
