Chapter 29

 

Despite my protests, Father and Andric saw to it that I went directly to the Great Hall to get checked out. I felt like a little girl being hustled about and made a fuss of, but my loved ones were safe and that was all that mattered. Rory, King Fasred, and Landis found us there. I must have looked worse that I thought by the glances they exchanged.

King Fasred sat on the edge of my cot where I waited for one of Jesson's assistants. I wasn't in a hurry because there were so many others with wounds far more serious than my own, Andric's included. The Antoran Prince stubbornly insisted that he wait for the others to be cared for first; he was too busy helping the Antorans from the safe room to worry about getting patched up.

“I've never seen anyone fight the way you did,” Landis’ father said with a smile.

“The Antorans are good teachers,” I replied. Captain Rurisk and I exchanged hidden smiles from his cot a row away where he was having a nasty slash across his ribs stitched.

“Well, your bravery and willingness to put others above yourself is outstanding. You'd make a fine leader.”

I smiled at him. “I'm just glad I don't have to worry about it.”

Rory laughed and squeezed my shoulder. “Maybe I'll step down and give you the position.”

I punched at him playfully, then winced at the twinge in my ribs. “Don't you dare. I'm not leadership material.”

“I'd argue against that,” Father said, his voice funny. I looked back at him and he shrugged. “Who would have thought my little girl was so dangerous?”

“I did,” Landis said. We all looked at him and he grinned. “The first time she danced with Trevin, I knew we were in trouble.”

Everyone laughed, and I blushed at the memory. A wave of weariness swept through me again and I settled back on the bed. Father knelt next to me. “Are you alright, sweetheart?”

I nodded, fighting to keep my eyes open. “Just tired, really, really tired.”

Father patted my hand. “Sleep, darling. We'll help out with the others and be back before the healer gets here.”

I nodded, but watched him and Rory with a slight twinge of worry.

Something must have shown on my face because Father reached out and smoothed the hair from my forehead. “What is it?” he asked gently.

“I'm afraid of bad dreams,” I admitted softly, the all-too-real images from the day crowding my mind.

Father smiled fondly, then looked up and nodded at someone behind me. “I'll leave you in good hands,” he said. He rose, ruffled my hair, then left with Rory, Landis, and King Fasred.

“Still having trouble with nightmares?” a familiar voice asked. A thrill of warmth ran through my veins at the sound.

I gathered my strength to roll over and look at Andric, but he set a hand on my shoulder. “Stay,” he said quietly. “You need to rest.” He walked around the cot and pulled another one close so that he could sit next to me.

He looked as awful as I felt. His cheeks were pale and sunken with dark circles around his eyes as though he hadn't slept in weeks. I suddenly remembered his father and tears came to my eyes.

Andric’s expression tightened with concern. “What is it?” he asked quickly.

“Your father,” I said, my voice tight.

Pain washed through his eyes and then vanished as swiftly as it appeared. He took one of my hands. “He's in a better place now. I wish I could have stopped him, but I couldn't.” His voice dropped lower. “It's not something I can deal with right now.”

I nodded as tears pooled on the blanket that served as a pillow under my head.

Andric gave me a gentle smile and reached over to wipe the tears away. He winced at the movement and gritted his teeth as though fighting back a gasp of pain. I sat up quickly and my head swam. “You need the healer,” I said.

Andric shook his head. “It's not that bad; I checked it already. I can wait.” He motioned for me to lie back down.

I shook my head. “Only if you do, too.”

He sighed, saw that I wouldn't give in, and nodded. “Alright, but I should be helping my people.”

I smiled at him and settled back down on my pillow. “Trust me, Andric. You have two Kings, two Crown Princes, several Captains, and enough soldiers to keep this place running for months. No one will begrudge you a bit of sleep after all you've done for them.”

Andric settled down on the other cot, then turned and watched me, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“What?” I finally asked with a slight blush.

He gave me one of his true smiles. It made him look younger, less exhausted, as though he didn't have any walls or pain. I wished I could see that smile on his face forever. “I was just thinking how lucky I was to have kidnapped you.”

I laughed, then winced at the sharp pain that responded. Andric reached out and I took his hand. “It's the other way around,” I told him. “I'm the one who was lucky to get kidnapped.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

I smiled but remembered not to laugh. “Pretty sure.”

He grinned again, his eyes closing with weariness. “As long as you’re sure,” he said, his voice soft.

I listened as his breathing settled into a steady rhythm. His grip loosened and his hand fell to rest on my cot. I put my hand over his. “I'm positive,” I whispered.