Page 21 of Bound By the Vori

As it happened, he did not have long to wait.

The sound of multiple Vori coming along the rear passage a short time later alerted Rykaal to the Matriarch’s arrival. Undulating gracefully into the room with Esheb close enough to touch tails at her side, the Matriarch regarded him with worry, her crown coils snapping around her and the end of her tail vibrating with the concern running rampant through her. Even her scales were dulled, giving her a sickly appearance that did not improve any as her gaze fell upon him.

“Rykaal, I just heard what happened, and we were on our way to summon you when we met Inkol in the corridor. Esheb and I had just finished joining when we got the alert that you had to be relieved for the next few rotations due to the incident with your mate. Is Kim all right?”

“Something has happened?” Inkol hissed anxiously as he glanced toward Esheb with surprise.

The other male nodded grimly. “It seems that there was an attack. Someone placed a gyori within the tutoring room, and Kim came into contact with it.”

The other male fell back onto his tail with shock, a look of horror crossing his face. “Who would do such a thing? Is that not fatal to humans?”

Rykaal cleared his throat. “It can be. We were fortunate. Kim’s reaction was on the less severe end. The medics have flushed the toxin from her system and have fluids with healing accelerants going into her system. The medics believe that within a day or two she will be fine.”

Leaning against Esheb, the Matriarch flattened a hand to her chest. “Thank the gods! The Mother of the Nests surely keeps her safe within her hand. To think we could have lost her.” A quiver shot through as she seemed to shed some of her tension and worry.

He sagged a little as he finally allowed himself to openly feel a small measure of that same relief. It was as if the Matriarch’s demonstration gave him the permission that he needed to be weak just a little in that moment. “I do not know what I would have done if I had lost her.” He dragged in a deep breath and slowly expelled it. “Kim seems to think it was an accident.”

“An accident!” The Matriarch gave him an incredulous look, but he nodded.

“I am sure that you are aware of Zana’s resentment of Kim,” he began.

A small frown pulled at the Matriarch’s lips. “Kim alluded to the fact that there was some difficulty with Zana, but she seemed confident that she had it in hand. Are you suggesting that Zana did this? That she tried to kill Kim?”

“No,” he said firmly and prayed that he was right. “I believe it was an accident. Whether the intention was to merely make Kim sick in retaliation for the slight she still blames her for, or whether completely innocent, I do not believe that Zana would have intentionally tried to hurt much less murder Kim. But I do think she is harboring a lot of anger within her, perhaps not all of it to do directly with my mate even if it is being vented upon her.”

“I see,” the Matriarch murmured. “If this is what you believe, then tell me how you would like me to proceed in light of that. Zana is the first nestling I ever hatched, the jewel of my heart, but I will not allow my kingdom, and the females within it, to be consumed by the madness again. Do you think Zana requires another inoculation against the disease?”

Rykaal well understood that. The madness that had swept over their females for generations upon generations had taken an unforgettable toll on the memory of all Vori. Now that they had the cure, no one could risk returning to what once was.

“I do not know,” he said honestly. “You may need to send for Dr. Vadal es’EtaliAgor so that he is present, just in case. As far as Zana goes, I do know that Kim wishes to address this herself with the female as she did not believe any true harm was intended, if any at all. If it can be corrected and moved forward from, then it will serve us all better. With your permission, of course.”

The Matriarch nodded as she considered his request.

“It would be wise to have Dr. es’EtaliAgor for at least some days to observe and do some tests perhaps,” Esheb murmured.

Swiping a hand over her brow, she sighed and nodded in agreement. “I will yield to your judgment, Rykaal. And I agree with my mate. I will send for the doctor. He will know if another treatment is warranted.” Sighing deeply once more, she gave Rykaal a tired smile. “Thank you for informing me. Now I must insist that you return to your mate’s side. You look terrible,” she added, her expression softening with sympathy.

With that she gave him an encouraging smile as she glided away. Esheb watched her leave but grunted in agreement with his mate while Inkol gave Rykaal a sympathetic look. “She is right. You are no further use here. Return to comfort your mate and allow her to comfort you in turn so you both may heal from the trauma of what has happened.” He clasped Rykaal on the shoulder. “I will comm you for an update in a couple of rotations. Rest.”

“If there is nothing else you require of me…” Rykaal trailed off, attempting not to appear too eager to make his leave.

Esheb grimaced. “Not unless you wish to comm es’EtaliAgor and act in my place. Damn impossible male is harder to drag from his nest than a burrowing tickwyrm.”

Rykaal gave a tired laugh and shook his head. “I think I shall leave that dubious pleasure to you,” he replied as he wound around on his tail. At the last minute, he turned to glance back at the male. “Thank you.”

Esheb nodded. “Give your mate our condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery.”

“If you need anything, comm me,” Inkol added as Esheb gave him an approving smile. “I will see to it personally that you are supplied with all that you require while your mate recovers.”

Feeling a little lighter in the hearts and more eager than ever to rejoin his mate, Rykaal inclined his head in thanks and departed. He sincerely hoped that this trouble would now end as quickly as it had begun.

Eighteen

Despite being in the medical unit for a couple of days, Kim still felt like warmed-over dog poo when she was finally allowed to go home. She hated hospitals. She could never sleep properly in them, and it seemed like even a palace med unit wasn’t much better. She was exhausted and still feeling a little hung over from the nasty trip that plant gave her.

The medic shined a light in her eyes, making her squint in annoyance. “A little light sensitive today, I see,” he murmured.

Kim muttered in agreement. “Yeah. I have a headache, and my whole body hurts.”

---