New Roots (Fate's Intent Book 8)

by Bowles, April

  It seemed that hours went by and I tried to keep my eyes on absolutely nothing. I didn’t want to watch what was happening to him but I did notice that his tolerance for the pain was high and it surprised both Zayden and Izin. I could see it in their faces. I only hoped that they wouldn’t figure out it was because of me and have to start all over again. That’s the last thing I would want, to see Troy go through even more because of me.

  It was a good sign of relief when Zayden started to clean his hands and he leaned over Troy with his lips moving. I caught a few phrases like ‘it’s over’ and ‘you did well’ but didn’t get the whole conversation.

  Troy’s wounds that covered his body were stitched up and wrapped so they could begin to heal. I kept my hands in place so he couldn’t feel much of the needle and he was probably used to having them there by now and just didn’t know it.

  He was rundown from the blood loss he suffered and I noticed he wasn’t really coherent to what was happening. He was almost on the brink of passing out and I slowly moved my hand to let him. His heart was still beating thanks to me and I thought it would be safe. I closed my eyes for just a moment to rest them because I felt tired as well and when I opened them, I was back in our room.

  I let out a heavy sigh and fell back on my pillows with my hand on my stomach. “We did it. He’s going to be fine. Now I need rest.”

  I closed my eyes for what seemed like enough to blink before the door opened.

  Chapter 20

  Darius

  After the good news, I went upstairs to tell it to his wife.

  “Jaylyn?” I walked in and made my way to her on the bed. “Jaylyn.”

  “Huh? I’m awake.”

  “It’s just me. I just came to tell you that everything went—well. He’s going to live.”

  She smiled and closed her eyes with her head still on her pillow. “I know. I was there.”

  “How did you get passed me? I was standing at the entrance to the penitentiary the whole time.”

  Her eyes popped open and she tried to make up an excuse. “I mean, I felt it. I knew he was still alive. Yeah, because I can do that. See? Completely explainable.”

  She was obviously lying. “What did you do?”

  “What? I told you.”

  “You’re a bad liar. At least just now. Tell me.”

  “No. You’re not exactly a good secret keeper.”

  “Of course I am.”

  She laughed and sat up. “Yeah right! Every secret you ever kept, everyone ended up finding out about.”

  “I can keep this one. Promise. Just between us.” Jaylyn paused and was just looking at me like she didn’t believe me. I had to get her to trust me somehow. “Come on. I know about you and Troy not seeing each other for a while and he asked for us to take care of you. I can’t exactly do that if you’re not going to tell me what’s going on.”

  She broke with a heavy sigh and literally continued without breathing between her words. “All right. It wasn’t my fault. Last night I said I was okay with it but when I woke up and he wasn’t here, I realized I really wasn’t and knew I had to do something. I thought long and hard and discovered that I could actually use Troy’s vision because of the baby and I—”

  “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.” It was hard to keep up with all of that but I did catch that last part. “You can use Troy’s vision?”

  “Yeah. Through the baby, like I said.”

  “So that’s how you got in the room but why would you want to watch that?”

  “I didn’t go there to watch. I—ah—”

  “What? Please tell me you didn’t already try to heal him.”

  “No. Of course not. That would have been too obvious. I just wanted to help. I made sure his heart stayed strong and—I may have possibly made him believe that it was a lot less painful than it actually was.”

  “Jaylyn!”

  “What?! I had to! Please don’t tell. I know I can’t heal him and I didn’t necessarily do that but I still don’t want him to be mad and have it done over! He’s going to feel the pain of it every time he moves. Isn’t that enough?”

  I sighed and understood why she would have done it. “Yeah. It is. I didn’t want him to do it either.”

  “So, you won’t tell?”

  “No. Not even Ruby.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Though I don’t think they’d disagree but I know it shouldn’t get around to Troy.”

  “Good.”

  “They’re going to be bringing him up soon. They were just working on wrapping him up when I left. You want some help bringing your stuff to another room?”

  “No. I think I want to stay actually.”

  “Is that really a good idea? He said you’d want to heal him in his sleep.”

  “I know but I feel a little better knowing I helped already and he needs someone to take care of him.”

  “That’s why we have maids here.”

  “But I’d like it to be me.”

  “Then who’s going to take care of you?”

  “That’s why we have maids here.”

  I smiled to her tone like she was mimicking me. “Okay. I get it. You’ll just have to find another way to explain this to him.”

  She paused and looked towards the door. “I don’t have that much time. They’re coming. Can you get the door?”

  “Yeah.” I got up off the bed and went over to it. Izin and Zayden were helping Troy walk slowly this way and he was still a little out of it.

  “Oh, good.” Zayden said. “Did you get Jaylyn out?”

  “No, she decided to change her mind about that. Knowing he’s alive made her feel better about it, I guess.”

  “We’ll see.”

  They reached the door and I took Izin’s place holding Troy. “I’ve got him.”

  “Make sure he stays in bed. He’s going to soon notice that it’ll hurt to move when he comes completely back to us.”

  “Yes, father.” Zayden said. “We will.”

  Izin walked back down the hall and Zayden and I brought Troy into the room.

  Jaylyn perked right up. “How is he?”

  Troy was moving his legs but didn’t look as if he was even conscious.

  “He’ll be all right.” We placed him on the bed and Zayden carefully lifted his feet up on it too. “He just needs rest now.”

  “How do you feel? I know you had to—”

  She trailed off and Zayden just paused for a moment while looking at Troy. “Awful but he took it a lot better than we expected. I’ve never seen anything like it. Maybe because he chose it. Who knows? I think he deserves to get everything back from what he went through.”

  I looked over at Jaylyn, knowing why he took it so well but I kept my mouth shut like I promised.

  “Will he get it back? It was his goal, you know?”

  “Of course he will. He just can’t be fully reinstated with his title until he’s completely healed and can get the mark back but as far as respect and honor goes, he has that right now.”

  “I didn’t want to see him like this.”

  “You can always change your mind again. You won’t be able to touch him for quite some time. I can only imagine how hard that will be.”

  “No, it’s okay.” She smiled. “I’m fine with that as long as he gets better. He’s going to need me here to take care of him.”

  “I guess that part is true. He will need you. Not to make the pain go away but to help him forget about it.”

  “Is it everywhere?”

  “No. His back is fine since he’ll have to be on it to recover. It’s just the front side.”

  “Not all of it I hope.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “No.” Zayden said. “I didn’t tamper with that region. No one deserves that kind of punishment.”

  “Good even though it’s not going to be much use to me for a while. I thought I’d ask for the long distant painfully tormenting future I’m about to have.”

  I still
had my smile and stepped closer. “Well, he did say we could help you with anything you needed.”

  Jaylyn smiled back but before she could reply, I heard Troy’s low voice. “Get out.”

  “Oh, look. He’s kind of conscious. Zayden, you should really watch what you say around him. Jaylyn is not that kind of woman.”

  “Please.” Troy muttered with a little sigh behind it. “It was obviously you.”

  “Perhaps it is best if we go.” Zayden said. “Come on, Rift.”

  “I agree. I don’t even think Adele or Ruby know the news yet.”

  “Be sure that you stay rested, Troy. You’re going to need it.” Troy barely moved his head for the nod and Zayden leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Remember you did well, brother and everything you want will come back to you.”

  Troy tried nodding again. “Thanks.”

  “Take care of him, Jaylyn. We’ll check in every now and then.”

  “I will.”

  Chapter 21

  Troy

  I tried to turn my head towards Jaylyn and keep my eyes open long enough to see her. “I thought you wouldn’t be here.”

  “You need me. I couldn’t stay away no matter how much I hate seeing you like this. I promise not to have any attempts at healing you. I just want to be with you even if that means we can’t have any kind of contact.”

  “My lips swollen or something?”

  “No.”

  “Then I don’t see why not.”

  “But I might hurt you if I get too close and I don’t want that.”

  “I can suffer through enough for a kiss.” I lifted up my arm as best I could and signaled for her to get closer. Jaylyn gave in and moved towards me, trying not to touch me anywhere else or move the bed around me too much. I wanted to laugh but that would have only hurt. “It’s okay. I won’t break.”

  “No, you’re already broken.”

  “Quit your worrying and kiss me.”

  Jaylyn smiled and leaned into me. I put my tongue in her mouth and met hers. I was being pulled in by it until she put her hand on my chest and I pulled back in pain.

  She immediately removed her hand with a gasp. “I’m sorry! See? I told you.”

  “No. That was my fault. I shouldn’t have escalated it.”

  “Maybe we should wait a few days before trying that again. I’ll have to learn to control myself.”

  “Or I’ll have to learn how to kiss badly?”

  She laughed. “No. I wouldn’t want that. You should rest.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “You’re supposed to be worrying about you so you can heal, remember?”

  “Well, have you?”

  She thought for a moment. “No. Actually, I don’t think I have.”

  “Then go get something. It’s got to be almost lunch by now if it’s not already.”

  She nodded and slowly started to get off the bed. “You want anything?”

  “How about a stiff drink then a nap? It may help with the pain.”

  “All right, I’ll bring you one.” She left the room and rested my head back.

  It hurt to do anything. It felt like I was in pieces but I would never tell Jaylyn. It would have only made her worry more and I didn’t want that on her. She meant more to me than I did.

  Chapter 22

  Jaylyn

  I did what he wanted of me and made my way down to the dining hall. It was lunch and that’s where everyone else was.

  “Hey, Jaylyn.” Ruby said. “How is he?”

  “All right but he’d like a stiff drink before he takes a nap.”

  “To make it longer no doubt.” Darius laughed.

  “It’s not a bad idea.”

  “Here.” Izin held out a tall full glass. “Give him this.”

  I took it from him and sniffed it. “Is it strong enough?” I took a sip, keeping it in my mouth for a second.

  “Jaylyn!” Adele shouted.

  I spit it back into the cup with a smile. “What? I wasn’t going to swallow it.”

  “That’s so gross.” Ruby said. “You just spit in it.”

  “It’s Troy. He’s not going to care with all the places his mouth has already been.”

  Adele and Ruby both dropped their forks on their plates.

  “I’m suddenly done.” Adele muttered.

  “Oh, definitely.”

  I kept the smile from my laugh as I left and took Troy’s drink up to him. I didn’t care to go on about it and make them more uncomfortable, though it was funny. I just wanted to get back to Troy.

  “Where’s your lunch?”

  “Huh? Oh, I didn’t get it. You wanted a drink so I got that.”

  “I’d like you to worry about yourself first. I could have waited longer.”

  “Well, here.” I handed it to him and Troy took it in one hand but strained a little bit to hold it. “Use both hands. It’d be easier on you.” He tried it and was able to hold it better without bringing much pain from the small weight. “See? Sorry. I spit in it because I wanted to make sure it was stiff enough. Don’t worry. I didn’t swallow.”

  Troy smiled in this incredibly charming way and took a small sip. “I like it when you swallow.”

  The way he was looking at me with that smile and using that tone almost made me blush. “Cute. Anyway, just think of it as having a little essence of me in it.”

  “Mmm. The best kind. Go get your lunch or have someone bring it to you. Here.” He rested the drink on him, holding it with one hand and tried reaching for the pull rope above the headboard for room service but was straining a little bit to get it.

  “Don’t! You’re going to break something open. Let me.” I pulled on it for him and took a seat next to him.

  “And now we wait.” He said, taking another drink. There was a pause and I just couldn’t take my eyes off him in the bandages. “What?”

  “Are you ever going to show me? You know, what you look like under all of that?”

  “Not until they’re scarring. I haven’t even really seem them yet. The bandages have to be changed before bed tonight and I don’t want you here for that. Maybe if you don’t see them you won’t feel so compelled to heal them.”

  I forced myself to look away and put my head down with a sigh. “Okay.”

  “Jaylyn, if it wasn’t important that I had to feel this pain, I would let you heal them. You know I would but that would kind of defeat the purpose of doing it at all.”

  “I know. It’s part of the process.”

  “That’s my girl. You’ll be able to handle it. I know how strong you are.”

  I smiled and put my hand down by his. He turned it as best he could and slid it under mine, lacing our fingers.

  “I love you.” He said softly.

  “And I you.”

  Without hesitation we started to lean into each other and our lips were almost touching.

  There was a knock at the door.

  I suddenly felt nervous and cleared my throat with a laugh. “Come in!”

  The door opened and my nursemaid, Cora, came in with a covered tray. “Your lunch, my lady.”

  “Thank you. Here is fine.”

  Cora set the tray on the bed in front of me and looked over at Troy, bowing her head slightly. “My lord, how are you feeling?”

  “It’s getting better.” Troy held up his glass like a silent toast and took another drink. “I’ll live.”

  “That’s good news to hear indeed. I brought a little extra in case you’re hungry too or Jaylyn needs to eat more because she slept through breakfast.”

  I laughed. “Thanks, Cora. I don’t think that’s going to happen again. I was—”

  “I understand. I’ll check in with you later.”

  “Okay.”

  Cora lightly bowed her head and turned away. When the door closed, I looked at the tray in front of me and removed the cover.

  It had just about two servings of everything on it and I looked over at Troy with wide eyes. “A little extra
, huh?”

  He laughed or tried to. “She must think like you or is used to how much you can eat.”

  “Want anything?”

  “Whatever you don’t eat is fine. I want you having some first. You did skip breakfast. You should be starved.”

  “But so did you.”

  “I’m not the one carrying our child.”

  “But you still need to stay strong. Food helps.”

  Troy smiled and took another drink from his tall glass. “Just eat what you want. I’ll have whatever is left if I’m still awake for it.”

  “Feel like you could sleep now?”

  “Starting to. The pain is numbing. It’s easier to breathe.”

  I looked over with a mouth full and a sad expression. “It hurts to breathe?”

  “It’s okay, Jaylyn. My body has to move when I bring in air and it hurts to move. Nothing too serious.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish I wasn’t such a distraction to you.”

  “It was worth it. You don’t know how beautiful you look when you’re asleep. I didn’t know how long I could have gone without seeing you.”

  “Just don’t do it in the future. I understand that there are going to be times when we’re apart and we’ll both have to deal with it.”

  “I know. Just eat. You need it.” I looked over at him with a soft smile and got back to eating. “I’m glad to hear that you actually got some sleep this morning. I know you usually don’t sleep in.”

  I paused, seeming like I was waiting for my food to be chewed but I was feeling guilty and didn’t want to lie to him, keeping my responses short. “Yeah. It was good, a good morning.”

  “Good.”

  I ended up eating mostly everything on the tray but left some for Troy when I finished. “Here. I left—”

  I looked over at him but he was asleep, holding his empty glass with both hands. I smiled and got up from the bed, moving the tray off to a table and walked around the bed to his side. I took his glass from his hands and carefully took out one of the pillows from behind him and helped lay him back without waking him up.