Page 137 of Upon Buried Embers
“Like you’re sad.”
I am sad.
So very sad.
But he doesn’t need to care about that.
No one ever cares about that.
“I’m going to get out now.”
The curtain opens suddenly, and Rohan storms in, a large towel in hand.
“Rohan!” I gasp, making sure the water covers me.
“Here,” he says, holding it up for me to get into.
I hesitate for a moment, but as he stares at me, never once dropping his eyes, I rise, and he wraps the towel around me. He lifts me out of the tub before gently placing me on the ground.
He rubs at my skin softly beneath the material, mindful of my wrist, never once taking his eyes off of my face.
Does he see the bruising? How ugly my body is?
I bet he doesn’t want me in his bed now.
He pulls a tunic over my head next, the towel dropping as he pulls it over my body.
I’m barely dry, but at least I have fresh clothes on.
Still, no mention of the bruises.
By the time I take another breath, he’s moving my hair out of my face and grabbing my chin with busted up knuckles. I still don’t know why they look like that.
He brings my eyes to his, with a deep look I don’t understand as he gently prods my healing split lip.
I see it then, fury, like a fiery tornado coming and going before he seems to blink it away.
“Just one thing, Little Whisperer, always find one thing.” My eyes sting at his words, remembering how he said them to me the first time.
I nod.
“Come, then,” he whispers, “We need to braid your hair.”
I start to walk, but he gently halts me. “Get on.”
“What?” He nods to his feet and I sigh.
“I feel better, Rohan, I promise.”
“I can’t pick you up, so this is the next best thing.”
“Rohan…”
He stares at me, and I shake my head.
I place my hands on his arms, feeling the ribbon, and then step on to his feet.
It’s ridiculous how easily I can do it, I’m tiny compared to him, but he wraps his arms around my back and begins to walk.
