Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
The roar came out of nowhere, the terrifying sound rumbling from the heavens and shaking the mountain.
Fedra fought to keep her balance on the narrow path.
She dropped the basket of herbs she carried and looked toward the sky.
White, puffy clouds blanketed the expanse as the sun shone brightly.
And yet, the ominous sound turned the beautiful day sour.
For a moment, she almost thought she had dreamed it.
Then something huge broke through the clouds and released another thunderous roar.
Birds hastily took flight. The entire mountain went silent as animals raced to escape.
She forgot all about gathering the prized herbs as she turned and raced back down the mountainside as fast as she dared.
Pebbles and dirt tumbled from the edge when she got too close, but she couldn’t stop.
Not when everything inside her told her to get home.
Home. It was a word she had never used before. Now that she had a place where she felt accepted, one where she had been welcomed, she intended to protect it with everything she had—even if it cost her life.
Her lungs burned as she pushed herself. She raced around a corner, cutting across it to jump over a pile of rocks. Except her toe caught on the edge, sending her flying through the air. She landed hard on her shoulder and rolled. Pain lashed through her, but there was no time to think about that.
She blindly reached out to stop herself and managed to dig her fingers into the ground. The instant she could get her feet beneath her, she jumped up and kept running. The roars continued. Before long, she heard the distant screams.
They were far enough away that whatever was happening in the city might not reach them. Fedra had a place to hide in the mountains, but first, she needed to get home.
She jumped off the path and headed toward the forest. It would be quicker, but it was also more treacherous terrain. It was a chance she was willing to take, though. She urged her legs to move faster, for her feet to land squarely, and for her body to stay upright.
Fedra saw the cabin through the trees and smiled. She burst from the tree line and hurried to the door. She flung it open and yelled, “Sten!”
She quickly searched the cabin before rushing back outside in time to see a massive shadow moving over her and then her home.
A look upward showed the beast she had seen earlier.
It let out another roar that had her covering her ears.
And then she saw the fire exploding from its mouth and the trees erupting into flames.
Panic seized her as she spun in a circle, looking for Sten. Where had he gone? Then she remembered the creek that ran through the field of wildflowers. He had mentioned freshening the flowers in the cabin.
The stream was even farther from the city. That meant he was still safe. Fedra started running toward the meadow. There was still time to reach him and get to safety. She didn’t slow until she reached the field and spotted Sten hurrying toward her.
She slowed to a walk, a smile pulling at her lips. He lifted his hand to wave. Then fear tightened his face. She looked up in time to see the dragon just as it opened its massive jaws.
Fedra came awake instantly, her heart racing and her skin soaked in sweat. She sensed someone next to her and sat up, striking out with her fist. A large hand grasped her arm, halting her instantly.
“Easy, lass,” Marcus said.
His voice filled her head and then reached her muscles. She relaxed bit by bit, and when she tugged her arm, he released it.
“Bad dreams?” he asked.
She licked her dry lips and touched the bandage around her eyes.
He put a cup in her hand. “Drink. It’s just water.”
Fedra took a small drink and held it out for him.
Once he had taken it, she turned her head away.
It had been a long time since she’d had that nightmare.
The dreams had stopped even before she entered the pod.
But they weren’t memories she had forgotten, which made the nightmare all the more confusing. Why now?
“Why aren’t you asking anything?” she demanded.
“If you wanted to share, you would.”
She wiped at her brow as a bead of sweat ran down it. The next thing she knew, a cloth was being dabbed at her face, wiping away the sweat. “Why are you being so nice?”
“Should I be unkind?”
“That’s not what I meant.” She sighed, thankful that her heartrate was finally slowing.
“What did you mean, then?”
Fedra placed her hand on the bed, only for her fingers to touch his leg. She immediately jerked her hand away in embarrassment, then wished she had left it. “I simply meant that you don’t know me.”
“You doona know me either.”
“I know you like being by yourself. And you get cranky when others disturb your work.”
He grunted and turned slightly away from her. “I can no’ deny that. Since you know that about me, tell me something about you.”
It was a good time to make a friend. If she could get Marcus to believe her, then she would be able to leave the city quickly. She would have to be mindful, though. This game they were playing could go from innocent to detrimental if she wasn’t careful.
“I don’t like crowds.”
“I’m no’ much of a fan of them, either.”
So, she wasn’t the only one trying to be friendly. She wondered if he would push to know more.
“Sian brought more medicine while you slept.”
She felt him leaning over and heard the clink of something followed by the sound of poured liquid.
“Apparently, you doona like to take medicine,” he said.
Fedra looked away. “Name one person who does.”
“I’m afraid I can no’. You need to drink this while it’s hot.”
“I’ve already had a dose recently.”
He stirred the medicine slowly, the spoon scraping against the bowl. “That was over eight hours ago.”
Had she really slept for that long again? She recalled the horrid taste of the medicine and shook her head. “How about some food first?”
“Treatment, then food,” he replied firmly. “Say ahh.”
She snapped her lips together.
“I thought you wanted to see again.”
“I do, but I barely got the first dose down. I’m afraid this will come up, and I’d rather not have that happen.”
He kept stirring. “It willna.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. Now, open up.”
The spoon touched her lips. She retreated as far as she could, but he didn’t relent. Finally, she gave in and parted her lips. Marcus quickly put the spoon in her mouth. She didn’t taste the bitterness she’d expected. Instead, there was a slight sweetness.
“I added honey,” he told her. “It’s the only way I can get the bairns to take their doses.”
“Bairns?” she asked, wondering what the word meant.
He shoved another spoonful in her mouth. “It’s our word for children.”
“It’s unusual, but I like the sound of it.”
“Sian gives them sweets, and that works sometimes, but if we can improve the taste, then there isna usually an argument against taking the medicine.”
She started to reply when he filled her mouth with another spoonful. She obediently swallowed.
“Three more,” he said.
Once the medicine was gone, she scooted back to lean against the headboard. “When can I remove the bandage?”
“Sian didna say. I know she wants to give your eyes time to rest, and the fact that you’ve been sleeping says that your body needs it.”
“I’ve been asleep for a long time. I’m tired of sleeping.”
“Then how about a bath?”
His words shocked her.
“The tub is already filled and waiting,” he said.
The thought of soaking in hot water was too inviting to ignore. “I would like that.”
He pulled back the covers and grasped her hand. “Scoot to the edge.”
Once she had, he took her other hand and waited for her to swing her legs over the side of the bed.
Then, he gently tugged her to her feet. The stone beneath her socks was cool, sending a chill through her.
The muscles in her legs stiffened as she put weight on them.
He released her hands and grasped her arms to steady her.
“Easy,” he murmured.
She slid one foot forward, and then the other.
“I can carry you.”
Fedra shook her head. “It feels good to stand again. I might not be able to do it on my own, but I want to do this.”
“Then I’ll hold you.”
It felt strange accepting such kindness, but she wasn’t in a position to refuse.
And it felt good to have him touching her, even if it was just to keep her upright.
Little by little, she shuffled her way to the tub.
There was no movement of water, but she felt the steam and smelled something fragrant.
“Sian added some muscle-relaxing powder to the water. There are some other herbs in there, as well. You need to soak for thirty minutes a day for the next three days to heal your body.”
He held her steady when she would’ve taken another step, letting her know they had reached the tub.
“There’s a chair behind you.”
She reached back and felt the chair as he helped her lower herself into it.
“The tub is to your left.”
Fedra extended her hand, and her fingers brushed metal. She followed the edge over the side and into the water.
“Shall I call Sian to help you undress?”
“I can manage.” At least she hoped she could. How hard could it be to undress and get into the tub? She was about to find out.
Marcus released her arm. “I’ll be right outside. Shout if you need anything. By the time you’re done, there will be food for you.”
“Wait,” she said as he started to walk away. “Can you help me put up my hair?”
There was a slight pause before he moved to stand behind her.
She waited for him to ask how when he gathered her hair at her nape, and with a few swirls of his wrist, pressed it against the back of her head.
She felt something hard slide against her scalp, and then he let go.
To her surprise, her hair remained in place.
“You’re all set,” he said and walked out.
Fedra stood and removed her belt first, followed by the rest of her clothes. She laid them all over the back of the chair. Her socks and underthings were last. She set them on the seat and then grasped the edge of the tub to step inside.
Steam brushed against her face, and she could imagine the ribbons of it rising from the surface.
She settled into the tub and moved her arms around to stir the water.
So far, no magic had been used around her.
Maybe no one in Iron Hall had magic. She hoped that was the case, because it would make things so much easier.
And right now, she really needed easy. Because if they had magic, things would likely get bad.
For everyone.