Chapter 4 #2
He studied her a long moment, a loving look in his eyes. One she now recognized as that kind of love.
Brotherly affection. My luck just keeps getting better and better, she silently grumbled to herself.
“What? It’s rude to stare,” she quipped.
“True. I was just pondering you, Ella. Such a strong, resilient woman. I must admit, I do not know your race. Where exactly is this Earth you have spoken of? Dotharian realms are myriad and spread far and wide, but as a key part of the Conglomerate, we are generally apprised of new additions to the realms.”
“Oh, yeah. Earth.”
“A name I’d not heard until you mentioned it. Where exactly is your world?”
Ella swallowed hard. She may have still been pumped full of mystery chemicals and on the mend, but her mind was clear.
Earth was very much not a part of the Dotharian Conglomerate and their weird rune rules.
And from what she could tell, no matter how kind Draikis seemed, the leaders were anything but.
Death was the punishment for lacking runes, and no one back home had them.
She would have to be very careful what she said, though she had a gut feeling Draikis possessed an intuitive ability to read people. She couldn’t say why, but she was almost sure of it.
It’s not much of a stretch. I never studied astronomy.
“You know, my world has only barely reached out to the stars, and in my life, I never really needed to know where we were. Galactically, I mean. I’ve never left it. Most of my people haven’t.”
“Really? That’s odd.”
“You think?”
“It is. But no worry. I suppose I can acquire the location with a few inquiries. Records are sometimes delayed at greater distances. Is your world a recent addition to the Conglomerate?”
“Oh, yeah. Only just happened, so—”
“That explains a lot. And if your race is only just starting to reach out beyond your world, it is no wonder so much of this seems so new to you.”
“Yeah, it’s a bit much.”
“I can only imagine, though I must admit I do envy you a bit. To experience so many new wonders with fresh eyes.”
“Which would be great, if I wasn’t stuck in a bed with a ton of broken bones.”
He gently rested his hand on hers. “They are already set and knitting. It’s quite amazing, actually. Anomalous, in fact. I am confident you will be up and about soon. You are mending so much faster than even our most optimistic healers expected.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. You will be free of this bed in no time. And when you are, I will be your guide. I will personally help you acclimate.”
Ella shifted uncomfortably, her skin annoying the hell out of her, but she realized he was right. It shouldn’t have been possible, but the grating of broken bones had been replaced with a dull ache rather than sharp pain.
How is this even possible? Bones don’t heal this fast. Silver eyes drew her back from her musings.
“What?”
Draikis shrugged. “Nothing. You just seem uncomfortable.”
Damn. He really is attentive.
“Just itchy is all.”
“Ah, of course. Then allow me,” he said, pulling a small jar of pale-green ointment from a pouch. “I wondered when you would be able to use this. Perhaps a bit soon, but I think seeing how quickly you are healing, your skin will react well to it.”
“What is it?”
“A different sort of healing balm. A concoction of my own making, actually. It incorporates local plants along with some novel Dotharian compounds.”
“Plants and drugs?”
“Nothing serious. And the plants do contain small amounts of power. Normally it is helpful in healing repaired runes. But in your case, I hope it will work on fresh flesh.”
“You said power.”
“Just like the pigments used in the runes, yes.”
Ella held her tongue. From what she’d gathered so far, ignorance of the runes would only raise suspicions. She’d just have to go along with it.
“Right. Of course.”
He took out a small dollop and rubbed it between his hands to warm it then began gently applying it to her skin, moving her dressings aside to reveal tender but intact flesh.
Skin that practically cried out in delight at his touch.
Every nerve ending was alive and singing with joy at the sensation as his warm hands spread the light ointment across her body.
There was no pain. Better, the itching subsided everywhere he touched almost immediately.
Best of all, a warm glow of delight began to fill her entire body.
Whatever this healing balm was, it was working wonders.
He moved slowly, uncovering her body, applying a thin layer of the ointment, then covering her back up until it felt like every inch of her had been attended.
She felt tingly from head to toe, with a particular warmth low in her belly.
Then, quite abruptly, the sensations began to fill her head as well.
“Whoa.”
“What is it? Did I hurt you?”
“No. I’m just kind of lightheaded, is all.”
“Ah, yes. I had wondered if it might do that. You rest now. I will visit you later.”
Ella thought to say something, but the power to speak seemed to be fading fast, and her conscious thoughts with it. Moments later she drifted off into the first truly comfortable sleep she’d had in a long time.
Draikis stepped out, quietly closing the door. A sour-faced man stood waiting in the corridor.
“Totaxxis. What brings you here?”
“Checking in on the female. She shouldn’t be in our walls, Draikis.”
“She was injured, Totaxxis. We had an obligation.”
The dour man scoffed. “She is a distraction. A nuisance. And is it true she lost all of her runes?”
“All but the translation rune, yes.”
“Sacrilege.”
“No. An injury. A most terrible injury. And now we are helping her heal. She has already responded quite well to her treatment. And very soon she will be ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“Elder Soparo has decided we will personally provide her with new runes ourselves.”
“Our Skrizzit will see to her? A female?”
“Do not be so surprised. And remember our vows. You may prefer to enforce the more Draconian rules, but we also provide for those in need. And she is most definitely in need. We have only the finest pigments available for our Skrizzit’s use, and for one who has endured her ordeal, it is only right.
She suffered at the hands of the Raxxians, Totaxxis.
Raxxians. And yet somehow, she is now free.
You know how unlikely that is once they take you. ”
Totaxxis shook his head, his jaw flexing with annoyance. “Perhaps. But it is still not right. There are no women within our walls. It is the rule.”
Draikis shook his head. “A rule with flexibility, Brother. Besides, what are you so concerned about? We are immune from the feminine draw. We’ve taken our vows.”
“Yes, but—”
“And if it is the Infala you are concerned about, you know full well there is no possibility of an Infala bond. Not only must she have a new one applied, which will take time to set in and bind to her body, but we are incapable of Infala bonding. So rest at ease. And if you must, you can simply avoid our guest.”
“And you?”
“I find her company quite delightful. I will gladly watch over her as she heals and ensure her runes are fully set. Then I will escort her from our walls. Does that put your mind at ease?”
Totaxxis’s scowl lessened, but only slightly. “It will have to suffice.”
“I am glad to hear it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with the healers. See you at dinner?”
“Naturally. From the Many, the One.”
“From the One, the Many, Brother.”