Harlan squeezed her folded arms tightly to her chest. Her face turned an unflattering shade of red and her eyes seemed to blaze like a bonfire. Strom almost expected her to have some kind of psychotic fit. But then her gaze snapped to the floor as she worked to collect herself. This would be a whole lot easier if he didn’t like her so much. Finally, she lifted her head and looked at him. The rage seemed gone and her features had softened.
“Fine. I will let you exam my hands, but you are not to do anything to me. Got it?”
Strom nodded slowly wondering if she truly might be insane. What kind of person refuses medical treatment out of spite? He was floored that this small human woman was so exhausting. She had more resolve than anyone he’d ever met. Had it not been for the Queen’s orders and the opportunity to learn from her, he would have tossed her out of his hospital the first time they met. Why was he attracted to her? It made no sense. “Very well. So we are agreed. Now if you would be so kind as to accompany me to an exam room, I can suggest some things that might be able ease your suffering.”
He walked out of the break room and into the hallway. Doctor Theron followed a little distance behind. She could almost feel her staring daggers into his back.
“Let’s just get one thing straight. I’m not suffering and I’m not your fixit project.”
Strom didn’t respond. All he could think of was he needed to help her finish her work as soon as possible. He didn’t say anything to her, but he wasn’t looking forward to an eight-hour break with her climbing all over his back any more than she was.
Chapter 5
There were voices again, only they were clearing instead of fading. Desmond squinted at the dull daylight and pulled in a painful, labored breath. Both his inhales and exhales hurt so bad he wished he had the option to do neither. Relief spilled through him when Scarlet suddenly came into his view as she leaned over him. Her long red hair was tied back with a few loose wisps framing her face. Those beautiful hazel eyes were bright and vibrant as they scanned his face. The blush in her skin had returned. In a thought, she looked wonderful. It almost made him forget his pain. Pushing down with his hands, he tried to sit up. A skewer of agony pierced through his sides, making him freeze.
“Go easy,” she said stroking his face. “You have a few broken ribs. Krull stitched up the bite marks on your neck and arm.” Holding up his canteen to his lips, she tilted it, giving him a sip of water.
He settled back down on the bed, more grateful for the respite than he wanted to let on. “What happened to the Nacotta?”
“Don’t worry about that; we killed it. Well, actually Gypsy, Kharon and Trajan killed it. But since two of its heads were still firmly attached to you even after it was dead, Krull and I had to sever them and remove the jaws. We spent most of our time digging the leftover teeth out of your wounds.”
“So I was bitten twice and I’m still alive because...?”
Krull walked to the foot of his bed causing Desmond to break his gaze from Scarlet. “Your hybrid genetics seem to have selected you for survival once again. I can only assume the Nacotta are not poisonous to Kirillians.”
“Yeah? Try eating one sometime. Is everyone else okay?”
Krull removed the bandages from his neck and nodded. Scarlet cut the bandage from his arm. Desmond couldn’t see his neck, but the stitches in his arm looked pretty tight and felt good.
“How long have I been here?” he said looking up at his wife.
“About a day and a half. You’ve been unconscious since the attack. We thought the venom was slowly killing you,” she replied as the corners of her mouth turned down. Her lower lip trembled slightly. “Then, this morning, you stabilized. We just hoped you’d wake up.” Tears began trailing down her cheeks.
Desmond reached up and squeezed her hand. “Don’t cry. I’m alright and you look great, so now I am even better than alright.” He kissed the back of her hand.
Letting go of his hand, Scarlet grabbed a pillow from the other bed. She slipped her hand behind his back and lifted him forward to place the pillow behind him. She was less gentle than he would have liked.
A bolt of pain shot through his ribs. “Ahhhh, easy Scarlet! Fuck!” he snarled. His shout woke Hazen who promptly began to wail.
Desmond was amused by Scarlet’s hesitation. She didn’t seem to know who to attend to first, her injured husband or their squalling baby. For half a second, his injuries won out, then she rushed over to their child. She cradled Hazen and cooed softly until he was quiet again.
“Can you please not use that language around our baby?” She replaced the swaddled infant in the small crate they had turned into a makeshift crib.
Desmond glanced around at the others. Good. They’re all looking at her like she’s crazy, too. “Are you afraid he’s taking notes? Relax.”
“I do not want him exposed to any foul language,” she said, glaring.
Desmond held his ribs and winced as he laughed. The pain cut his humor short. “Unless you’re going to ban him from any exposure to Gypsy, Gavin, and any and all military personnel, you’d better plan on him getting an earful during his young life. Be sure and let me know how that works out for you.”
The current angle of his back made his ribs ache worse. Grunting, he shifted his hips a little lower. Scarlet rushed forward to help him but he stiffened from the pain, waving his hand to ward her off.
“Let me help you,” she offered.
“No, back off. The last time you helped me, it hurt.”
Planting her hands on her hips she watched as he gingerly struggled to get more comfortable. Krull meandered over, obviously uninterested and trying to remain neutral. Desmond was certain the last few months had been hell for him as well. Probably the last two years would be more accurate.
The first two months of Scarlet’s pregnancy were wonderful. She was docile, compliant and relaxing to be around, the complete opposite of how Harlan had been from the moment of Missy’s conception. Desmond used to tell his father he didn’t deserve a woman like Harlan. But the first time Desmond ended up on the wrong side of Harlan’s angry pregnant hormones, he decided that Gavin absolutely deserved her. If Harlan had killed Gavin in his sleep during her pregnancy, Desmond would not have been surprised.
Desmond reflected again on Scarlet’s pregnancy. Krull had expected a three month pregnancy because of Desmond’s AEssyrian blood and the initial growth scans. But Scarlet’s pregnancy was far more troubled. At the end of the anticipated three month gestation, his wife—who had still not given birth—changed into something worse than Harlan had ever been. She was moody, aggressive and just plain evil. Scarlet and Desmond fought over everything, right up to the emergency birth.
Krull checked the Nacotta bites. He seemed satisfied with their healing. “How are you feeling?”
Scarlet cocked an eyebrow. “He’s obviously fine since he’s being an ass.”
Desmond waved his hand at her again, this time in dismissal. “Due to the conflict of interest here, you are not my physician; Krull is, so butt out.” He turned his attention to Krull. “I’m good thanks, just really sore.”
He shifted to the left and a stabbing pain tore through his ribs. Clenching his teeth, he groaned. As much as he hated delaying them any further, there was no fucking way he could ride yet. I just need a bit more time. Krull had pain medication, but Desmond didn’t want it. They were still a long way from the Queendom, their supplies were limited and he needed to keep his edge.
Scarlet sat on the bed next to him. She leaned down and kissed his cheek. It was a huge relief she was feeling so much better. “Trajan said we should try and leave here today. Do you think you can ride?” she whispered in his ear.
Ah, of course. No more rest for me. I guess I’ll have to suck it up. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be fine.”
Krull measured out three pills from a clear bottle and then held them out to Desmond with a canteen.
Desmond gave a quick shake of his head. “No. Save them for an emergen
cy.”
Both Krull and Scarlet looked like they were about to argue with him but were interrupted by Gypsy. The timing of her entrance couldn’t have been better if he’d planned it.
She strolled in and smiled at everyone. “Everything is packed. Can he ride?”
“Yes,” Desmond said cutting off any dissenting opinions. “I’ll be ready to go shortly.”
“Are you sure? You look like you’re in a lot of pain. We could stay another night. Trajan and Kharon have backtracked pretty far and didn’t see anything.”
Desmond didn’t care what they didn’t see. The hunters were out there. If they were a savvy bunch with a smart, strong leader, no one would know how close they were. Everyone needed to get moving as soon as possible.
Hazen began fussing again, and Scarlet got up, plucking him from his crate. Sitting on the other bed she lifted part of her shirt so she could nurse. He latched on and Desmond watched as Scarlet whispered sweet words to him. A swell of joy filled him. This was his beautiful family. The oppressive worry ebbed just a bit. If he could get them to the Queendom maybe everything would be okay after all. Wishing he didn’t have to, Desmond buried any outward sign of his wrenching pain and got up.
Chapter 6
“Everyone is ready to go,” Bethara said when she had found Dragon by the stream. His hyperia was packed, but he wasn’t making any movement to rejoin the others. The hyperia gave an annoyed hiss as he tightened the cinch on his saddle. Once he had fastened the safety clip he turned to face Bethara.
Those bright green eyes of his again had dark swirls weaving through the iris. His gaze both mesmerized and terrified her. Most of the time she could read him, but not today. Despite being closer to him than anyone, he was still guarded with her and that made her ashamed.
Dragon’s father had only been half right. She was repelled by him. But she was also drawn to him. At first she ignored her attraction, but after meeting Titan, she began to see Dragon differently. Not as an awful monster but as an abused product of a horrific upbringing.
Yearning to understand him better, she tried to ask him about parts of his life, but he ignored the questions, remaining as mysterious to her as the day she had first met him. The only thing she knew for sure was that he would die to protect Harlan. It made her a tiny bit jealous. Her feelings were really ridiculous. After all, if it hadn’t been for Harlan he would still be Titan’s prisoner. Bethara couldn’t fault him for his loyalty, even if she was a little envious.
“I’m not going with them,” he said.
Bethara heard the words but the meaning baffled her. “What? Why not?”
“There are things I need to do that are not in the direction of the Queendom. And I need to do them alone.”
The words scorched like she had touched a flaming pool of lava. The dryness in her mouth felt like it was coated in dust. “By alone, do you mean you don’t want me with you anymore?”
An emotion moved across his handsome features like the shade from a passing cloud. Then the hardness returned. “No. I just don’t want you with me right now. I think you should go to the Queendom with the others, where you will be safe.”
Folding her arms made her feel less vulnerable but didn’t dull the hurt. Why is this upsetting me? I thought I wanted to be rid of him. “What about your medication?”
When he approached his movements were slow and graceful like a predatory feline hunting in a dense jungle. Placing his hand against her face like a forlorn lover, he softly rubbed his thumb along her cheek bone. The touch was warm and gentle. Bethara held her breath hoping he might kiss her.
“I can give myself the shots. You shouldn’t be shackled to me anymore. You’ve done more than I ever expected. I will be forever grateful.”
Bethara felt her mouth open to speak but she was unable to force any words out. Something was being taken from her, something she wanted but couldn’t name. I want to stay with him, but if he asks me why, I don’t know if I can give him an answer. All Bethara knew was that she was meant to be with him.
“I…I don’t want to go with them. I want to stay with you.”
A lazy smile softened his grim expression. “That’s the sorcery’s influence.”
“No, you’re wrong. It isn’t just that. I’ll admit in the beginning it was difficult because I was afraid. But things are different now.”
“Different how?”
“I can’t find the right words, but I can show you and hope you understand.”
When he opened his mouth to reply, Bethara did something she thought she would never do. She wrapped her arms around Dragon and locked her lips onto his. The kiss left nothing to the imagination. It was smoking hot and promised much more. She let her tongue explore the softness of his mouth. A deep sorrow suddenly froze her soul as she realized he was not responding. He didn’t push her away but he didn’t kiss her back either. This was embarrassing and the agony of it tore at her heart. She was throwing herself at a male who either didn’t care or couldn’t. Bethara broke the kiss and placed the back of her hand against her mouth. She tried to keep her sorrow in check by looking off in the direction of the outpost.
Turning from him, she began to move away but stopped when he touched her arm. She stared ahead, his deep voice breaking the awkward silence.
“I do care for you, Bethara. But I don’t want you to do this unless you are sure. There is no way to know what is going to happen with me. This decision to stay with me could make your life a misery.”
“Life can be misery regardless,” she countered. “I’m a grown woman and I know what I want.”
He stared off toward the outpost. “Alright. Then let’s go talk to Gypsy.”
“Why do we need to talk to Gypsy?”
“Because she understands me more than the others. I care about her and want her to know I’m not just abandoning her.”
* * * *
With Bethara in tow, he found his niece down by the stream, watering her husband’s mount. Hearing the cracking and scraping of their boots through the brush, she turned quickly and gripped the hilt of her saber. Once she saw it was them, she smiled and let go.
“Are you guys ready?” Gypsy asked.
Dragon frowned, unsure why this was proving to be uncomfortable. “We’re not going with you.”
“I don’t understand. Why the hell not? Where are you two going to go?”
Dragon looked over his shoulder at Bethara. “Do you mind if I talk to Gypsy alone?”
Bethara’s lovely brow creased. She shook her head. “Of course not. I’ll fetch my mount.” With that she trotted back up the small trail toward the outpost.
Dragon turned his attention back to Gypsy. “There are things I need to work out. I have to figure out who and what I am. But most importantly I need to figure out what I can do. There is also the matter of Titan, who isn’t going to give up trying to capture me. He can’t tolerate losing. Everyone will be safer with me gone.”
Gypsy stared down and exhaled heavily. “No. We are safer having you with us.” She paused for another breath. “I don’t want you to go. I’m…I’m afraid I’ll never see you again.”
Dragon smiled and it was the most genuine joy he had ever felt. Gypsy was so incredibly young and innocent despite her ferocity and all she’d been through. He grew to love her more and more every day. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” he said squeezing her shoulder. “All I have ever heard about you is how much like Gavin you are, but now that I’ve seen you for myself, I disagree. I think you are much more like your mother and that will always be an asset. Anyone who thinks otherwise truly doesn’t see you for who and what you are.”
Her golden eyes shone with sad resignation and disappointment, Gypsy knew nothing she could say would change his mind and seemed to accept it. “Well, you can tell Missy yourself. She is going to be very upset, and I’m not doing your dirty work for you.”
Dragon squinted around the outpost and sighed. He didn’t see her at the
moment. This goodbye was going to be very hard. Missy was an old soul and a profound curiosity. He didn’t expect her to break down because she was much too introverted for that. But he dreaded the look of betrayal he’d undoubtedly get. Every moment Dragon spent with her, he felt like she was studying him, dissecting his soul. He had no idea how the little girl’s life would unfold but he was pretty sure it would be legendary and very different than her sister’s. It filled Dragon with laugh-out-loud humor that Gavin’s lineage would be capped by the exploits of, not his sons, but his girls. Being that Gavin had always been such a misogynist, it was poetic justice indeed.
It was strange having Gavin’s daughters care so much about him. Oh, how these Theron women puzzled him. Gavin’s wife Harlan had been the first woman to ever really show concern about his well-being. She had been the only one who had genuinely tried to help him control his madness, and he loved her for it. He would never forget the sorrow in her eyes when she told him she could no longer treat him those many years ago. Dragon understood. Titan had forced her to make a choice and she’d made the right one. Unfortunately, his feelings for Bethara were much more complex. Something was happening between them for which he wasn’t sure he was ready. The most interesting thing about it was her fearlessness toward him. She was never afraid to argue with him or voice her unhappiness, and Dragon found that boldness refreshing.
Dragon had no idea why Bethara had decided to stay with him. He had to admit, he was a little more than odd. Throughout most of his life his madness had driven everyone away. But Bethara had stayed, refusing to accept any additional compensation from Harlan. Of course it didn’t stop her from grumbling, “I don’t get paid enough to deal with this shit,” but that was only when he was being especially difficult. Her anger never had anything to do with his insanity. And he had to admit that her rages often aroused him.
There was no other way around it. He would have to have an honest talk with Missy no matter how much he dreaded the prospect. “I will. I’ll find her and say a proper goodbye. But I would appreciate you being there to back me up.”
Devoured Innocence Page 5
