Page 15
Story: Lost Companion
“What?”
“That you are hungry enough to eat blindly.”
“Oh, no. We normally eat meals together. Usually. If she has been consuming from me regularly, she forgets to eat, which means I don’t eat unless Horib sneaks me something.”
“Sneaks?”
“Lady Ranna likes to play in the kitchen when she is feeling good. It isn’t something I can eat.”
“Why didn’t she know about the tubers?”
“They are fresh. Just came to the house this morning.”
“Ah. The bots are coming to clean up.”
“I can clean it up.”
Lord Rath picked her up and walked her into the house. What followed was Rath instructing Ranna to learn what her new pet could and could not do, and not to consume from her for two days. Riley was going to say that was silly, but she passed out.
* * * *
He looked down at thewoman and sighed. “Where does she sleep?”
Ranna coloured. “Her room is this way, but she’s slept in my room for the last three weeks.”
“Where is her bed?”
Ranna paused. “She sleeps at the foot of my bed, on the floor.”
“Like an animal. Have you noticed a decrease in the quality of energy that you are getting from her?” He held the woman as they discussed her.
“I thought she was tired.”
“She can’t get a good night’s sleep with you in the room. From what you have told me, she is dealing with her own traumas.”
“She said she can’t sleep in a quiet room.”
“But she needs to. It is part ofherrecovery. Don’t treat her like a pet. She’s a companion. She deserves respect for what she offers you.”
Ranna sighed. “Is she okay?” She opened a room that was sparse with no personalization.
“She is fine; she is just exhausted, and getting poisoned was the final insult.” Rath sighed. “I feel like I have taught you nothing about taking care of a companion.”
He looked at her. “Does she have sleeping clothes?”
Ranna paused, and from behind the door, Horib opened the wardrobe, which had six hanging items, and took one of them down. “I can change her, Lord Rath.”
“No, I want to see more of these scars.”
He unclasped her wrap-on top, and it unravelled in his hands. The red bands on her breasts indicated that the fit was not appropriate. He shook his head and released the skirt. The scars had a specific pattern that showed a fight to survive that was admirable. She didn’t have the rage and madness that he required for a Sister of the Abbey, but she was strong.
He sat her up and slipped the gown over her head, lifted her, and tucked her into her bed. He kissed her forehead, and she relaxed and curled into a ball.
Rath ushered the other two out, and Horib picked up the court gown.
When they were back downstairs, he asked, “Whose idea was the court gown?”
Ranna smiled. “It was appropriate, and she hated it.”
Table of Contents
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- Page 15 (Reading here)
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