Chapter 36 Hell
“You must hold completely still.” Raf gripped my shoulder just above the arrow. “We do not want it to tear the muscle any more than it has.” I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded. I would not let them know how badly this actually hurt. “I am going to count to three. You mustn't even flinch…”
“Just do it already, Blacksmith!” I snapped, interrupting him. He shrugged and took hold of the arrow.
“Completely still,” he said one last time. “One, two…” Then he yanked the shaft of the broken arrow from my arm. I hissed at the pain as he bundled a cloth and pressed it hard against the wound. “Good girl,” he said as he rubbed circles over my back and applied more pressure with the cloth.
Good girl? I scoffed. “Do you think I am a hound?”
He rolled his eyes and returned his attention to my arm.
I should have been irritated. Instead, something warm and entirely unwelcome curled low in my stomach.
I blamed the blood loss for the flushing in my cheeks, but he raised his brow and gave me a knowing smile that said, ‘noted’.
“Margaret, could you bring me more bandages?” He smiled at her. “Please?” She gave him a slightly sad smile in return.
“I am afraid that is the last of them.” She crossed to the storage room beyond the pantry.
“We have gone through them exceptionally fast with all of the girls and family members who were rescued. Small cuts and scrapes.”
We heard rustling in the cupboards as she called from the other room.
When she reemerged, she was empty-handed.
“I am sorry, I thought I may have some extra cloth that we could use to make some, but it seems with all of the clothing we have been making, the last of that has been used as well.”
Raf glanced down at my wound and the last of the bandages in his hand. It would be enough to wrap this wound, but we would be completely out after.
“Cut up one of my shirts, we can use that instead,” I offered.
“We need more than just enough for you,” Raf said as he rinsed the blood from his hands. “Keep pressure on that.” He nodded to my arm.
“I am aware that others exist, Blacksmith.” I rolled my eyes.
“Sometimes I wonder.” He smirked. “It was a kind offer, Hell. But not necessary. I will go to town for more supplies.”
“Are you sure?” Liv called from the sofa that she had not left since we returned. “You have not even had a chance to wash. We can send the girls. Where is Arabella?” I crossed to the sofa and threw myself down next to her in an exhausted heap.
“She went to the woods. She was rattled after the rescue, said she needed some silence.” I did not blame her. I let my head fall back and my eyes close for just a moment.
“I do not mind,” Raf said as he swung his bag over his shoulder.
“I will take the cart, so I do not have to walk, it will be a quick trip.”
Liv’s eyes roved over him. He was covered in dirt, streaks of blood stained his shirt, and his eyes bore dark heavy circles.
“I want to check in on my brother anyway.” He smiled at her. “I will be okay.”
She hesitantly agreed and gave him a list of items we would need now that we were housing half a village.
“Do not use that arm,” he called to me from the doorway.
I stared at him.
“I mean it,” he demanded.
“Would you like to tie it behind my back?” His gaze flicked toward the blood-soaked bandages on the table. “Do not even think about it.” My glare earned me a smile as he raised his hands in mock surrender.
“Raf!” Christine squealed as her tiny footsteps hurried down the stairs, Eliza following behind her.
“Are you going to Forsgeth?” She bounced up and down excitedly.
He nodded. “Can we come too? Please, please?”
Eliza joined in her spirited little dance.
Raf’s eyes softened, and he looked to Liv for permission.
“I would not mind the company.” He smiled.
Liv looked as though she would genuinely allow it, until I shot her a look.
It was not safe for them, not right now.
Liv sighed. “We do not know the repercussions of the rescue last night. I do not think that they would be bold enough to send enforcers into Torezia, but we need to operate with an abundance of caution.”
Christine’s shoulders sagged. “I am sorry little one. Once we are sure it is safe we will take you into town, I promise.” Some of the light returned to her eyes.
“Well, if I cannot go…” She giggled.
Raf crossed his arms. “What is it you want little one?”
“Eliza and I require little cakes.” She smiled sweetly, pulling Eliza to her side. I could not help but chuckle.
“Little cakes?” He knelt in front of them. “And this is a requirement, you say?” They both nodded excitedly. “Well then,” he said. “What flavor of little cakes?” Christine tapped her chin, thinking for a moment.
“Surprise us!” She shouted.
“Ah, I know the perfect flavor.” Raf smiled. “Fish-flavored little cakes it is.”
“Blegh!” Eliza stuck out her tongue.
“Raf!” Christine shouted.
“Do not torture them, Blacksmith.” I could not help but smile as he teased them. Raf took both girls’ hands in his.
“Thank you for entrusting me with this valiant mission. I shall not let you down.”
He released their hands and placed a palm over his heart.
“I shall make certain that you have the finest, fluffiest little cakes that Forsgeth has to offer. On my honor.”
He saluted them and rose to his feet, ruffling their hair as he stood.
There it was again. That ridiculous warmth.
Perhaps the arrow had done more damage than I thought.
Raf left, and I must have given in to the exhaustion because when I awoke, Liv was no longer on the sofa beside me and Raf was walking through the door, the afternoon sun fading below the horizon behind him.
He carried bundles of supplies under one arm and a platter in the other.
Christine and Eliza sprang from the stairs as though they had been waiting there the entire time.
“You brought them!” They both giggled happily.
“Did you doubt me?” He feigned offense. “The finest fish-flavored little cakes in Forsgeth!” He presented them with the platter and Eliza scrunched her nose as she lifted the butcher’s paper it was wrapped in.
“Those are not fish flavor! They are strawberry, my favorite!” Christine stuffed one in her mouth and let out a satisfied grunt.
“That was hardly a quick trip!” Liv called from the kitchen. I stood on shaky legs and joined her and Ezra at the table, trying to ignore the aching in my arm. Raf sat beside me with a long sigh.
“My brother asked me to stay for supper.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I did not forget a single item on the list though. All of the supplies are there in the cart. I just do not have the energy to carry it in at the moment.” Liv’s eyes softened with something that looked like guilt.
“Do not worry, I will have someone else fetch everything from the cart. Thank you, truly.”
She reached across the table and patted his hand.
“I know you are tired, but there is one more thing we must deal with before you can retire.”
Raf smiled sleepily and nodded. “Ezra and I have read more of the ancient texts. There is so much there that we hadn't even considered. We can talk about that later though. For now, we must get the remaining girls out of Verith.”
We stayed at the table late into the evening planning our next extraction.
When we finally had everything sorted, Raf lifted a sleeping Christine with a cake-covered face from beneath the table and carried her up the stairs.
I watched as he tucked her in gently and then retreated back down the stairs to go sleep in the cellar.
Guilt tugged at me as I fell into my bed with a groan.
The guilt did not stop me from welcoming sleep like an old friend and praying to the gods that I would have a dream of the forest, perhaps with a pair of eyes watching from the darkness.