Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
LAITHOG
So , my little human is not all sweetness. She has some spice to her. It makes me desire her all the more, even though I am mildly aggravated with her. Not for her words, but because she has jarred her healing body. I can tell by the way she’s sitting that she’s in more pain than she was last night.
The vigorous movements of earlier are too much for her to handle. Thankfully , if I am correct, the crystals I charged last night will remedy what ails her and erase my vexation at her current state.
Closing the door behind her dogs, I march back across the room to the low-slung cushioned bench she calls a couch. Snagging the box of crystals, I pop the lid to it as I sit down.
To my surprise, a pale hand lightly lands on my forearm, her colorless skin is a stark contrast to the purple hide and black scales that make up my body. “ Laithog , I apologize. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. All I can say is, I hate mornings to begin with, and I woke up terrified that something happened to you because of my negligence. I just wanted to tell you that before we get started with…whatever this is.”
Her words catch me off guard. While I loved my Ilayahan , she is not one to offer an apology unless the offense is grave. The bit of pique Paisley showed earlier, while justifiable, haven’t rankled me at all. My mate had been far more forceful than Paisley could ever hope to be.
It is not as if Paisley has been out of line. I could smell the tumultuous array of emotions coming off her skin when she met me at the back door, a perk of heightened sense. I knew she snapped at me out of fear and concern while the vestiges of sleep still clung to her.
“ You’ve naught to apologize for, little one. I took no great offense. You were alarmed and worried for my well-being. I thank you for the apology given, however. You are kind to care for the feelings of something so different from yourself.”
Reaching over, giving her time to rebuff my advances, I place my hand atop her tightly clenched hands, the scent of her distress thick. “ Come now, there is no need to fret. No harm done,” I say, trying to alleviate her worries.
A short nod followed by the relaxing of her body is my answer. “ I know you have quite a bit to tell me, but do you mind waiting just a sec for me to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I have dragon breath and my bladder is yelling at me,” she states, slight embarrassment in her voice.
“ Of course! I do not mind a slight wait at all. My wards are in place inside and out, naught can bother us while I am alive and well.”
I watch her head tilt as she takes in my words. “ Ooooookay . Well , I’ll be back in a jiffy!”
I smother a chuckle as she scampers off the couch and I hear the latch on what she calls a bathroom door.
While Paisley is taking care of her personal business, I select the stones from the box that I’ll need to attempt to heal Paisley . I’ve never actually tried this before, and definitely not on another species. The battle mages of my past always carried a pouch of healing stones with them to use during the midst of fighting in case they or their brethren were felled.
Hmmm .
Surely , I would need red jasper; the vitality stone, citrine; the ray of sunshine, amethyst; the zen master, clear quartz; the all-around stone, black tourmaline; the protector, jade; the dream stone, lapis lazuli; the truth seeker, and, finally, turquoise; the ancient talisman. As evidenced by the gods blessed piece adorning my left wrist.
Taking the stones out, I set them with care on the low table in front of me. I can feel the power each stone holds. They’re fully charged from last night’s full moon.
Good .
I’ve the notion they’ll be drained if what I have planned works.
The sound of the toilet flushing, and what an interesting invention that is, announced Paisley’s eminent return. I was agog when Paisley showed it to me last eve. The scratching sound of her tooth stick tells me she’s cleansing her teeth.
Sweet little female appears to be a stickler for self-care.
Creaking floorboards herald her approach. Looking up, I smile at her warmly. Pleased to have her return to my side. Her pauses at my smiles are getting shorter and shorter. I know my visage is not considered handsome to humans, even though I am quite the catch amongst my own species. Both my hearts glow with warmth because the female I’ve chosen is slowly beginning to accept me.
She is adorable in her sleepwear, the short tunic she has on has flowers all over it, and I can tell her breast are not bound as they were yesterday. Averting my eyes, I swallow and force myself to focus.
She’s yet to acknowledge it to herself, but the nose knows. Her pheromones are shifting, but I mustn’t be hasty. That way lies failure.
“ Okay , I’m ready. I’m not sure what I’m ready for, but I am prepared nonetheless” she declares.
Reluctant to waste any more time, I delve right into the hearts of the matter. “ Yesterday , while I wandered your home, I found this box of crystals.” I wave at the array of stones on the table and those still ensconced within the box.
“ Yes , I found those at a garage sale, and had the thought to use them in some jewelry pieces. I just haven’t gotten around to it so I stuck them in my china cabinet.”
Nodding at her explanation, I continue. “ It is good that you know they are naturally occurring stones. What you do not know is that they can be charged by the light of the full moon to fulfill greater purpose than merely jewelry. I , however, do. On my way out of the library, box in hand, the crystals pulsated and lead me to the cuff you now see me wear. I know not how you came by this cuff, but it is a sign of the gods that I am exactly where they intended for me to be. This is a protection amulet. One , that if the gods will it, can protect the wearer from their greatest weakness. In my case, that would be the sun. Hence why, for the first time in my existence, I have felt the warmth of the sun upon my face. No wonder you day walkers are so fond of it.” I snicker at my own joke, and catch the small smile on Paisley’s face before I finish my explanation.
“ The rest of the stones I charged overnight, and as you can see, the gods blessed the amulet so that I may protect you during the daylight hours as well as the nighttime. The stones I’ve selected, in theory, should be able to heal your body, and mind, from what you suffered a week ago. I am not a mage, but I’ve seen it done many times. Would you give me permission to try?” my words ending on a hopeful request.
She pauses, before answering. “ If it doesn’t work, will it hurt?”
“ Absolutely not.” Vehemence clear in my reply. “ You would feel no pain at all, these stone can only do good when the wielder is selfless.”
Hesitantly , she nods. “ Okay , I have nothing to lose, so let’s give it a try.”