Page 15 of Between Realms

I feel the drying blood caked on my face. The sting from where the claws sliced my cheek makes me wince. I reach up to touch my wound, but Oakes stops me and settles my arms back at my sides. The more pressing injury, the rip over my stomach, screams in protest to the movement.

I glance down at my torn, blood-soaked clothes. Instead of asking how bad the damage is, since I’m not sure I want to know, I survey the cozy room. “Where are we?”

“Crowland Inn.” Oakes brings a bowl of water and a jar of salve to the bedside. “I’m removing your clothes so I can clean and tend to your wounds.”

“I don’t know if I’m worth the effort.” I glance down at my blood seeping into the sheets. “Put me on the floor. I’m ruining the bedding.”

“What? I will do no such thing. Settle down and let me take care of you.” He pushes on my shoulders so I can’t attempt to get up.

Though I don’t think I can move at all.

Oakes tugs on the hem of my long skirt and pulls up. He slowly removes the dress, pushing the material up my legs and over my torso. If this were any other scenario, I might blush, but I don’t think I have enough blood left to do that now.

Carefully, he gathers the fabric from my abdomen and easily lifts me up so he can pull the gown over my chest.

I slowly raise my arms. With one deft hand, Oakes slips the garment off completely.

Feeling exposed, although I have on undergarments, my arms move across my breast binding.

Oakes doesn’t notice my attempt at modesty. He is more concerned with the gruesome gashes across my stomach. “The ghoul’s claws only cut the surface and not into your intestines. A saving grace.”

I look down now. There’s so much blood. It’s a miracle he can tell how badly I am hurt. “Yes.Solucky.” I whimper as Oakes inspects the cuts with a prod.

Oakes proceeds to clean my wounds with a gentle touch. Then he washes the blood from the rest of my body and makes certain the injuries are only on my cheek and stomach. His gentle treatment lulls me into a trance and am quickly floating to sleep.

“You can’t travel anymore today,” he announces.

I stir when he applies the stinging salve and finally hear his comment, grabbing his hand, panicked. “I can’t stay here tonight! I’ll never make it to Ryven Court in time. If I’m late, they will be certain to banish me.”

“Do not fret, mighty little mortal.” Oakes strokes my long, brown hair away from my face, calming me. “We will go by a horse in the morning so you can make your deadline.”

“Oh… uh. Thank you.” Why are his hands so soothing? I figure it must be his particular Elven magic.

“How’s your head?” Oakes’ amber eyes study mine. “There’s quite a bump where you knocked it hard.”

“It’s as if there’s fog in my brain. So not too far from my normal.” I chuckle lightly and close my eyes, enjoying his touch, even if it’s only to tend to my wounds. The sensation is electric and warm. After several minutes of his ministrations that seem to go beyond the need to apply the salve, I ask, “Are you a healer?”

“I have a talent for it.”

I think about my keeper Merlara when she heals my cuts and burns from the foundry. “Merlara healed me sometimes. She would just place her hand on my forehead. It’s not like your touch at all.” I blush. Maybe it’s just my attraction to him that makes his touch feel different.

“Magics work differently. Many elves have some limited ability to heal others. It sounds like your keeper was focusing and encouraging your body’s own healing abilities.”

I feel another surge of his energy pouring into my body, and my breath hitches.

Oakes smiles, obviously knowing the sensation caused. “However, I’m gifting you my magic for your recovery, not drawing on your own systems.”

“Oh.” I prefer Oakes’ electric touch. “It feels like… you are knitting me back together.”

“That’s my intention.” He stops to inspect my injuries again, looking a bit confused. “I was worried your mortal body wouldn’t respond to my magic, but the wounds are closing quickly.”

“Is that odd for me to be able to accept your magic?” I ask. “You seem unsettled by it.”

Oakes’ eyes snap up to meet mine. “No. Not unsettled—relieved. I’ve never used my gift on a mortal, and I didn’t know how your body would react to mine.” Then his voice drops as if he’s just thinking aloud. “But now, I’m more concerned about your concussion and neutralizing the ghoul’s toxins. I’m sorry that I know so little about human frailties.”

“Don’t be sorry. Why would you everneedto know?” I scoff at his irritation at his own perceived shortcomings. “It isn’t like you knew you’d meet a mortal on the road, and I would be injured.”

Oakes grimaces. “Well, I should have noticed you were lagging behind at the market. One second you were there and then you weren’t.”

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