“It’s a long story.”
“Very well. Tell it to us over the fire tonight.”
“I will, as soon as the girl has been tended.”
The man nodded. “Very well. Follow me this way.”
One of the men turned and led us into the village. Smells of wood smoke rose up from the fires. Stews bubbled in cooking pots sitting atop coal beds, steam rising and mingling with the desert air, and I caught the scent of curry.
As we passed by, people wearing bright robes and sparkling beads gathered around us. Gasps came from the crowd. Small rubies shone from the foreheads of some of the women, and the children ran on bare feet covered in layers of dust.
I tried to take it in through blurry eyes, but it was all so different, and I had trouble thinking past the dizziness.
We stopped when we reached a tent that looked no different from the rest—square shaped with a point rising to an apex, its oiled fabric matching the tan color of the sand.
Behind me, Raj dismounted the horse. Without the warmth from his body, my skin bristled with chills. I wasn’t expecting such a lack of warmth, such a shock without his presence close to me. I threaded my fingers through Tranquility’s mane, holding tightly to keep my balance.
He reached for me, and I knew I had no choice but to release the horse’s mane. I let go and fell into his arms. I hated that Raj had to see me this way. If I thought of it too much, it would mortify me. I’d always thought of myself as a strong, independent person, and to have to be reliant on him was more than I wanted to contemplate.
Still, as he cradled me in his arms, I couldn’t think of anyone else I wanted near me.
Raj turned to the wolf and Drekken before entering the tent.
“I’ll take her inside. Stay close by. Find some food if you can. Everyone here is more than willing to share.”
Drekken nodded. “Can I do anything to help her?”
“Only the healer can help at this point.”
The wolf stared up at me with his yellow eyes. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I saw a hint of concern.
Raj turned away from our companions and faced the tent. I breathed a sigh of relief as we ducked under the flap and entered a warm space lit by glowing orange lanterns and rugs strewn across the floors.
The scent of spice hung heavy in the air. Jars and clay pots crowded the shelves lining the room’s walls. Raj placed me atop a bed of pillows. A woman entered from an adjoining chamber. She wore colorful robes of crimson trimmed in golden fringe that rustled as she moved toward us. Wrinkles lined her skin as she smiled warmly at Raj.
“Raj, blessed be, is that really you?” she asked.
“Yes, Anahita. I’ve returned, but only for a short time. This girl is called Gothel. She’s aiding me in overthrowing the high sorcerer, but she was stabbed by one of his guardsmen. Can you help her?”
The woman knelt beside me and took my cold hands between her warm ones. Her touch made me think of my mother. Though she was a bit older and more filled out, it must’ve been the compassion in her eyes that reminded me of her, and brought me back to my childhood, when I’d been abed with a fever and she had tended me.
“Would it be all right for me to examine your wound, child?”
I managed a nod. Her eyes widened as she took in the blood staining my gown. With gentle fingers, she moved the fabric aside.
“It’s not putrid, which is good, but the bleeding needs to be stopped and quite soon.” Her eyes met mine. “I’m going to prepare a sleeping draught. It will help you rest while I stop the bleeding inside your body.”
Again, I only managed to nod. I wanted to thank her for her kindness but couldn’t find the strength to speak.
She stood and crossed to the shelves. Raj helped her fill a clay mug with hot water and herbs. The scent of mint and lavender mingled to fill the air.
When they’d finished, Raj knelt beside me. Anahita stood over us, holding the cup.
“I’m going to help you sit up,” he said. He placed his hands under my arms as I raised into the best sitting position I could muster. Keeping one hand on my back to support me, he took the mug from Anahita in his other hand, then carefully brought it to my lips.
I sipped it, noting the strong taste of mint which helped mask the more bitter flavors. As the warm liquid filled my belly, my eyes grew heavy. I wanted to warn Anahita that this might not have been a good idea—that if I slept, I wouldn’t awaken, but that thought faded, and I lost focus.
The last thing I saw was Raj kneeling over me, a sad smile creasing his lips, worry filling his eyes, his strong hands lowering me onto the pillows.
13
Sunlight warmed my face as I woke to an empty tent. My throat felt dry as I sat up and stretched my legs, surprised that my wound didn’t ache as I moved.
Anahita entered through the flap. Steam rose from a wooden bowl she held between her hands. The scent of chicken broth filled the room.
“You’re awake,” she said, smiling.
“Yes, and apparently I’m alive, too.”
She laughed, then knelt at my side and held out the bowl. “I imagine you’ll be quite hungry after such an ordeal. I’ve made some soup. Do you think you can take a few sips?”
“Yes, I think so. Thank you.”
She only smiled as she handed me the bowl. I took it from her, the heat emanating from the smooth wood warming my hands. Taking a sip, the salty broth filled my belly. After a few more sips, I felt full, and I gave the bowl back
