“It’snot that,Ijust can’t…there is too much pain.”Ihated to sound weak, especially to him.Butmy body craved sleep, and it was overriding everything else.Theking turned toOryx, but he shook his head.
“Shehas already had the maximum of the pain reliefIcan safely give her, and while her brain is healed, a sleeping potion is too risky.”Theking turned his gaze back to me, and my stomach fluttered again at the look of concern in his eyes.Ilonged to reach for his face then and trace the hard line of his jaw, but instead,Ifisted my hand.Theabsence of his hold was even more present.
Hesaw the motion and the worry grew, soIsaid, “It’sjust,I’vebeen in this position so long, and my arm, and—”Iwas rambling, “Ijust wishIcould move a bit.”
Henodded and called out, “Oryx, come help me move her.”
“YourMajesty,Idon’t think that’s such—“
“Now,Oryx.”Thatcommanding voice sent a shiver down my spine, and the little voice inside me purred.
Itpractically sang as the king slid his arms under my back and knees, and gently lifted me whileOryxdelicately held my arm.Thepain flared andIground my teeth, but then he set me back down, on my side now, and then helpedOryxplace pillows to support my arm.OnceIwas settled, the pain ebbed, and gods it did feel good to not be laying on my back anymore, even if my arm throbbed.
“Better?”Heasked.
“Yes, much better.”
Hesmiled at me, “Goodgirl.”
Themuscles in my lower stomach curled up and pulsed, going molten,Icertainly couldn’t pretend it was from fear anymore.Mybrain must have been more injured than they were letting on.Perhapshe had read it on my face, as his smile slowly slid into a smirk, “Ihave one more thing for you,I’llbe right back.”Heleft the room, but promptly returned with a small object in his hand.Hereturned to the chair next to my bed, then leaned back and crossed his left ankle over his right knee, getting comfortable.Isaw then that the object was a small white book.Hecracked it open and began reading.
“Alrightthen.Once, long ago—”
Mycheeks flushed in embarrassment, “Iam not some youngling who needs a bedtime story,”Ihuffed.
“Hushnow, this story is quite a bore, and always sent me straight off to sleep.”Irolled my eyes, but he smirked again and continued. “Once, long ago, theLordofAlfhiemshiresat by a pond, pondering the ripples and flowers that bloomed…”
Perhapsthe story really was boring, or maybe it was the soothing deep sounds of his voice and my back finally being relieved, but the pain didn’t seem such a bother anymore, andIdrifted off to sleep.Idreamt of strong warm fingers stroking my hair, and a light kiss upon my brow.
Chapter31
Tori
Afterthat first day, my recovery went swiftly.EvenOryxwas impressed with the progress.Iheard him muttering to himself about my internal healing being mostly diverted to my brain initially, but now focusing on my body, allowing more rapid healing.Ididn’t much care why because every hour my body seems to hurt less, andIwas able to move more.Thenext dayOryxhad me getting up and walking with my arm in a sling, if only for a few minutes at a time.Butthose few minutes felt exquisite, my body craving the motion again.
Hethen had me start moving my arm more and more.Thatwas less exquisite.Movementstill shot pain from my fingertips to shoulder and my range of motion was frustratingly small, butOryxassured me that it would increase, but only ifIkept up the exercises.
Hekept me distracted during my sessions by regaling me with stories of his life.HeandIappeared around the same age, but it seemed he was about eighty years old.Hisfather had been a fae who had fallen in love with a human woman who was a healer and midwife.Theyhad met during a skirmish with bandits at the edge of theDragonKingdomterritory.Shortlyafter they had met,Oryxhad been born, but his father’s family had not approved of the union— or their child.Whilehis father had sent support to his mother, he had been forbidden from seeing the boy.Oryxdidn’t linger on this part of the story, instead focusing all he had learned of herbs and healing from his mother, their years spent in the forests outside theColdMountainsforaging and experimenting with healing.
Oryxforced me to try lifting my elbow up above my shoulder, andIwas not enjoying it one bit, soInearly bit my tongue asking, “Doyou ever wish you knew your father better?”Hedidn’t relent in forcing me to complete my exercises, butIcould see his blue eyes shift in contemplation, the smallest wrinkle settling into his nose.Hehad a smattering of red freckles all over the bridge of his nose and cheeks, andIfound them quite charming.
Hemade me lift my arm again, and a hiss escaped me, prompting him to answer, “NowthatIhave lived at court so long,Isee that my story is not an original one.Manyof my fellow half-fae don’t know their fae parents, or if they do, the relationship is not a simple one.Ithas helped me understand my father better.Andunlike many, he supported my mother.Heworked with the king to make sure my mother was a protected citizen of theDragonKingdom, which allowed her to not be burdened by working for a lord and gave us more time together during her life.”Hiseyes shone then, like the top of an alpine lake under the moonlight.Hismother was human, soIwas sure with his age she had already left our world.Iextended my arm through the pain and squeezed his hand gently.Ilet the pain drive away the thoughts of my own mother.
Hegave me a sad smile, “Mymother was an amazing woman who lived to a ripe old age and loved me with abandon.”Hissmile lit up then, “Ihad everythingIneeded with her.”
Hissmile and pure adoration threatened to crack open my heart. “Tellme about her.”Hissmile widened, and he spent the rest of our session waxing poetic.Itried my best not to let the toxic threads of jealousy enter my mind, but luckily, he had me start doing more difficult exercises and all thoughts fled my brain.
Asour session came to a close,Oryxgave me a pain relief potion and started massaging my arm.BeforeIcould even hiss, the king walked through the door.Hiseyes immediately locked on whereOryx’shand lay on my exposed arm, something sharp in his expression as he examined my exposed wound.Hehad been so kind to me these last few days,Ihad almost forgotten.Butall danger of my recovery had passed by now, and so perhaps it would be time for me to reap the consequences of my actions.Ihad disobeyed, tried to escape, and nearly died.Ihad no doubt the punishment would be harsh.
Icould feel my insides shriveling as he continued to stare down at me.Somehowthese last few days,Ihad forgotten all about my ebony cage.Howmuch smaller would it become now?
“I’lltake over thatOryx.”Oryximmediately hopped away, busying himself at his apothecary table.Theking took his place next to me and placed his hands on my arm.Icouldn’t appreciate the warmth of his fingers before he squeezed down on the scar tissue firmly as a very feral sound fled my lips. “Notexactly howIwanted to have you moaning under my touch.”Ishot him daggers with my eyes, and caught the laugh hidden behind his smile.Buthe continued his ministrations, andIcouldn’t do anything but bite down on my cheek to stop more sounds emerging from me.Evenwith my best efforts, a small low note escaped as his fingers worked apart the scar tissues and adhesions.Itfelt like my arm was coming apart all over again.
Hisface grew more serious, focusing on his work.Hisfingers moved firmly and swiftly, long expert motions that as he worked, hurt less, andIcould feel the arm relaxing.
“Youhave done this type of work before?”Hemoved his hands away from the scar now, and massaged down my forearm, activating the muscles there.
“Ihave lived through many wars and had a kingdom to put back together after.Healingis an important part of that.”Hedidn’t elaborate, instead focusing on stretching my fingers individually.
