Page 41

Casimir turned to Kai. “I need to clean up as well. I’ll leave you to your work.”

“Are you ready?” Kai asked through the door as he cracked it wider.

“Yes.”

Opening the door fully, he walked back into the room and closed it softly behind him, then headed to the desk full of supplies.

Back turned, he said, “I’d like to work on your leg first, then we can assess the other injuries. Does that sound good?”

“Fine,” Ava replied. Barely able to get words out, she quivered slightly, losing grip on her ability to tamp down the trauma.

Having someone inspect her body, truly assess her injuries, was more difficult than she thought it would be.

The healers at camp had been quick and most of the time she had been unconscious.

But for Kai to spend what she expected to be a significant amount of time treating her wounds had her shaking involuntarily.

The last time people touched her, it wasn’t out of kindness.

Kai turned around, noticing her trembling and leaned down to gently grab her hand. “You’re okay, Ava. You are safe here. No one will hurt you.”

She gave him a wan smile.

Kai let go of her hand and reached under the table to crank it back to the working height, then released a contraption to elevate her leg.

A light knock sounded, and Ava looked up, facing the door. Kai cracked the door open, assuring Ava’s privacy. She heard Cirilla’s voice and then Kai carried a tray of hot tea into her bedroom, setting it on the desk next to his supplies.

Handing her a teacup, he said, “Drink this. It has a light sedative effect and will help you relax. It won’t do a lot for the pain, but it will keep you warm and less anxious.”

“Thank you,” she replied as she grasped the white porcelain in her still shaky hands.

The tea smelled amazing. It had a floral scent reminiscent of roses and jasmine, with a touch of honey. It tasted even better and Ava sighed as it warmed her body immediately, muscles relaxing and her stomach calming down.

“Ava, I’m about to begin. I will walk you through each step along the way. First, I’m going to clean your wounds to prevent infection,” he said, reaching for a bottle with a blue liquid and a large cotton ball.

Deciding to distract herself with conversation, she asked, “Do you have any tips for winning the group over?”

Kai poured the liquid onto the cotton ball and dabbed each puncture, vigorously cleaning them out and causing Ava to wince.

“Getting them to like you?”

“Yeah.” She flinched again, gritting her teeth. “I want them to like me.”

As the words left her lips, she realized she truly did.

She wanted them to like her. And not just because she was lonely and lost, but because she liked them.

For some strange reason, she felt comfortable around the group, as if her soul was awakening upon arrival to Mosshaven.

Was her heritage recognizing its homeland and its people?

“Sorry, that was a deep one,” he said before continuing. “ Jorrar and Raine are easy. They both like you already, I’m sure. Though maybe don’t stab anyone again.”

She grimaced. “I didn’t know who they were. I was scared.”

“I know. We heal quickly so Raine was fine. Just don’t expect him to forget it. It will be added to his repertoire of things to tease you about.”

“Great.”

“Quinn and Casimir act cold but they really aren’t. Quinn’s very protective and wary.”

“And what about Casimir?”

Kai laughed quietly. “He’s loyal to a fault. He’ll do anything to protect those he loves, even put himself in danger.” Kai cleaned out another wound. “He can be gruff sometimes though.”

“You don’t say.” She smiled. “And the king?”

“He has a big heart, though he comes off as harsh. Protecting Monterre is his top priority. Just be yourself,” he said. “And maybe don’t threaten him again. He doesn’t tolerate that well.”

“You heard about that?”

Kai laughed. “Word travels fast.”

“Wonderful,” she huffed.

Keeping the conversation going, Kai asked, “How did you get to Eorhan?”

“I’m not ready to talk about it,” she said, gazing off toward the balcony as her mind went to Eleanor. She tried focusing on the little birds buzzing about each flower to ground herself and stave off the anxiety. A trick her mother taught her whenever her fears attempted to take over.

“ Pick an object in the room, Little Bird,” she’d say. “ Focus on what it looks like. Focus on the rest of your senses too. What do you smell? What do you hear?”

So Ava did. Watching the hummingbirds and listening to the buzz of insects searching for their meal among the flowers helped her refocus and calm her beating heart. She inhaled the floral notes of the tea as she tasted its honey-like flavor.

Ivy still dozed on the floor, an ever-calming presence in the room, as Kai finished cleaning the last wound.

“You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to,” he replied.

“Just know I’m willing to listen, should you need an ear.

Not all healing is physical. Eventually, you’ll have to talk about the things you’ve been through. ”

She remained silent as she mulled over his words.

Like with her mother’s death, she knew she was shoving down the events of the last few weeks.

Her betrayal, her torture. Being lost in a city with people she didn’t know.

Eleanor’s death. But she wasn’t ready yet; needed more time before she processed.

She’d never been any good at talking about her traumas, leaning more toward withdrawal and silence.

When her mother died, she’d just thrown herself deeper into work, trying not to think about the giant hole in her heart.

“Now, I need to extract the poison. This is the part that will hurt. A lot,” he said, placing his hands on her leg. “Take another sip of tea before we begin.”

Ava gulped more tea before setting the cup down on the table within arm’s reach. Taking a deep breath, she grasped the blankets. “I’m ready.”

Kai closed his eyes and Ava nearly passed out from the pain, a scream leaving her lips, her ability to silence herself gone.

Casimir lounged in his bathtub with his eyes closed, done washing but relishing in the warmth as it soothed his aching muscles.

His body was littered with scars from years of battles and training, but it didn’t bother him.

They felt like badges of courage, as if he had proven to himself he was not a coward .

It was now quiet after several minutes of Ava’s screams resounding throughout the suite. He knew how painful the poison extraction was. He could barely suppress his own scream when he was bitten and couldn’t begin to imagine how painful it must be for a human.

He rose from the tub, water dripping down his muscled body, grabbed a towel and dried off before heading to the wardrobe in his bedroom.

His bedroom mirrored Ava’s, but while hers was clean and free of dust, his was a disaster.

It wasn’t technically dirty, the housekeeping staff cleaned, dusted and made his bed daily, but it was messy.

Books and papers were strewn about, covering the surface of his desk and there was a large worktable in the corner where he whittled his wooden figurines.

Wood shavings littered the table and every tool imaginable sat in piles, while his creations decorated his room.

Birds, deer, rabbits, and other creatures of the forest added a whimsical touch to the space.

He donned a casual pair of brown trousers and a white tunic, leaving his feet bare. After combing his damp hair, he went into the living room in search of a book. It was getting late and, exhausted, he planned on reading for the rest of the evening until he decided to go to bed.

The door to the suite opened and Cirilla entered with a tray of food. She was flustered, hurrying through the suite.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Cirilla had been his attendant for years and while she was amiable, she had a no-nonsense way about her he admired. It reminded him a little of his mother.

“I’m sorry general, but I’ve been requested to help in another suite. It seems one of the attendants is sick ,” she replied, irritated.

“I’ll take it. You go help them.”

She handed him the tray, bowed her head and left, grumbling about lazy staff and their unwillingness to work when they felt the least bit tired.

Balancing the tray on one arm, he opened the door and walked into Ava’s room.

He made it not even four steps in before he froze, locking eyes with her.

She was lying on her stomach, completely nude save for the blanket covering her from the waist down, and her sea glass green eyes were filled with tears.

His eyes moved to her pale back, where he saw countless wounds that looked as though she had been whipped and her ribcage was more visible than it should have been, evident she had been starved during her imprisonment.

“I… uh… sorry,” he stammered, making eye contact again.

Kai looked up. “Hey, Cas. You can put the tray over there.” And nodded to the side table next to Ava’s bed.

“Oh, yes,” he replied and quickly walked over and set it down. Walking back to the door, he looked at Ava’s back one last time. “Is that what they did to you?” he whispered, unable to stop the question.

She sniffled as she responded, “Yes… and then some.”

He clenched his fists and replied, “I’m sorry.” Not knowing what else to say. He turned on his heel and left.

Dammit, Cas. He chastised himself.

Locating the book he wanted, he grabbed it off the shelf and walked back into his room, running his fingers through his hair.

He wasn’t thinking when he barged in there.

Forgot she was lying there, vulnerable on the table, in a world she didn’t know.

Seeing those wounds covering her body had infuriated him.

Though he didn’t even know her, something deep and carnal awoke and he wanted to hunt down The Scourge and listen to his screams as he cut him up slowly.

Piece by piece.

Ava’s heart raced as she lay on the table. Casimir had barged in, mumbled something about food, asked about her injuries, and awkwardly left.

“What was that about?” she asked Kai.

“I have no idea.”

But it wasn’t just that Casimir was speechless. His demeanor had changed when she confirmed her injuries were a result of her torture. His face had filled with rage and he had clenched his fists as he walked out. As if he was bothered by someone hurting her.

“I’m finished,” Kai interrupted her thoughts.

Kai walked back over to his table and packed up his supplies.

“You did well. I’m leaving two things here for you to speed up the rest of the healing process.

One is an oil; place four drops in your bathwater every day and stay in the bathtub for at least ten minutes.

Afterward, rub this salve all over your body. ”

“Thank you so much.” She looked at him. “You’ve made me feel safe here.”

“You’re so welcome,” he said, squeezing her shoulder.

He picked up his wooden box, Ivy following him after stopping to let Ava pet her one last time and opened her door.

Pausing, he turned to her. “If you need anything else, send for me or find me in the medical wing. And remember, we’ve all been through horrors due to this never-ending war,” he added, eyes sad.

“If you ever need to talk about yours, we will listen. It was nice to meet you, Ava.”

“You too,” she whispered.

Alone now, she climbed off the healing bed.

Though she still had quite a limp, her leg was already feeling better as were the rest of her injuries.

A light ivory nightgown had been placed on her bed, and she pulled it on over her head.

It had thin straps and reached to just above her knees.

She caressed the delicate fabric, glad to be in something clean for the first time in weeks.

She was about to settle into her bed and devour the whole tray of food sitting on her side table, when something sprang into her room from the balcony.

“Luna!” she cried, hobbling toward the cat. Her companion had remained hidden for the last few days. “Where have you been? I missed you.”

Luna jumped onto Ava’s bed, regarding her with her lilac purple eyes. I’ve stayed close but I can’t be seen yet. Not until they know who you are.

“Okay. I understand. Will you at least visit when you can?” Ava asked, realizing how truly lonely she felt. Luna was the only piece of home she still had with her, which was ironic since she wasn’t even supposed to be there.

I’ll stay the nights with you.

“Okay.” Ava smiled and climbed into bed, rubbing the cat’s soft head and put some pillows behind her back to prop herself up.

She leaned over, grabbing the tray of food, and set it before her, legs crossed as she sat on her bed.

Her stomach growled as she inspected her meal.

It looked delicious. Roasted quail, root vegetables with an herbed sauce, potatoes covered in butter and spices, a fluffy roll and a small fruit-filled pastry were piled upon the plate.

There was also a goblet of wine, and she took a sip, savoring the tannins.

When her stomach felt like she couldn’t handle any more, she placed the tray back on her table and settled under the covers. Luna was already asleep at the foot of her bed, a comfort she didn’t realize she needed.

The blankets wrapped her in their warmth, and she laid her head on the pillow, relaxing. The soft sounds of nocturnal insects and birds floated through the windows as a light breeze rustled the vines hanging around the room, lulling her quickly to sleep as Luna snoozed at her feet.