Lying on the moss-covered ground beside the fire, she tried to warm up. She reached down and gingerly felt her ribs. One seemed as if it protruded more than yesterday. Earlier, when she had a moment of privacy to relieve herself, she’d pulled up her shirt and discovered that the entire right side of her ribcage had turned an ugly shade of black. The cut on her arm still bled on occasion and had to be rewrapped daily. Thankfully, she’d be in the palace tomorrow, where skilled healers could tend to her. And a bed—she’d finally have a soft bed to sleep in instead of the hard ground.
Her body started shaking uncontrollably. Sweat coated her skin, but it felt as if she were covered with snow. If she could just get warm, she’d feel so much better.
“Are you all right?” Odar asked, suddenly at her side.
Does he have three heads? She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to pull herself together. When she opened them again, he was blurry.
“Allyssa?” He placed his hand on her forehead. “You’re burning up.” He jumped to his feet and addressed his men. “We can’t wait until tomorrow. We must reach the palace tonight.”
“I can’t ride,” she said, her voice weak. Not in the dark in her condition.
“Shh,” he said. “I’ve got you.” He lifted her in his arms and carried her over to his horse. Everything went black.
***
Allyssa woke up in an unfamiliar room. Odar was slouched on a chair next to the bed, fast asleep. She had on clean clothes, and her arm had been wrapped with a new bandage. An ornate fireplace stood across from the bed, several large vases filled with flowers decorated the room, and paintings hung on the walls.
Pushing herself to a sitting position, she reached for the cup of water next to the bed. The movement caused a sharp pain in her ribs, and she hissed.
Odar startled awake. “I’ll get it for you,” he mumbled, his voice groggy.
“Sorry to wake you.” She felt along her torso. It had been tightly wrapped with bandages.
He handed the cup to her. “How are you feeling?”
Her fever was gone, Odar only had one head, and she could move her arm without it stinging. “Much better.” She gulped down the water and handed him the empty cup. “I assume this is your home?”
“Yes.” He stretched. His beard had been shaved off, his clothes appeared clean, and his hair was neatly combed back. “When we arrived, I had a healer immediately tend to you. She stitched the wound on your arm. However, it is still of some concern because an infection set in. The healer has been treating it with medicine and is hopeful it will clear up. She said no matter what, you will have a scar. Your ribs are also mending. She recommends you remain in bed for a few days.” He fidgeted with the arm of the chair. “Um…she also said your fingernails are growing back nicely. She applied an ointment to aid with the scabs.”
Oh. Allyssa hadn’t told him about being tortured in the dungeon. Curling her fingers, she made a fist, willing the painful memory to fade away. They’d made it out of Russek alive. That was all that mattered. The rest—the scars, both physical and emotional—would heal. But right now, she couldn’t talk about it. Maybe one day.
“I’ll let you sleep.” He stood to leave, not pushing her to talk. Perhaps he knew she wasn’t ready. Or he wasn’t ready to hear it.
Reaching out, she grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulling him closer to her. “Please don’t go.”
“I’ll stay for a couple of minutes. Then I want you to sleep so you can heal.” He stretched out alongside her on the bed.
“When did we arrive at the palace?” she asked.
“Two days ago.”
“What?” How was it possible she had been unconscious for two days?
“The healer administered a strong tonic to keep you asleep so she could bind your ribs and stitch your wound.” He absently lifted a lock of her hair, twirling it between his fingers. “I never should have allowed you to ride a horse in your condition. I only made your injuries worse.” He sighed.
“Never mind any of that.” She was alive, and they were out of Russek. They’d finally made it to Fren. “Has Emperion been attacked? Or has Kerdan managed to execute the king and stop the war?” It had been weeks since they escaped the castle.
“I don’t know,” he said, still playing with a strand of her hair. “When we arrived, I brought you to this room where a healer was waiting. I only left your side once to bathe and put on clean clothes. I sent word to my parents that I returned, but we haven’t seen each other or spoken yet. My priority has been you.”
“What about my parents? Have you sent word to them?” They had to be experiencing incredible grief believing she was dead.
“Not yet.”
“Why?” Surely it was safe to notify them.
He released her hair. “No one knows you are here. Not even my own parents. Jana is still alive, and I want to keep your whereabouts a secret until we hear from Kerdan.”
Odar always thought strategically, whereas she tended to think—and act—with her heart. “Can you at least send a soldier to personally tell my parents I’m alive and well?” There had to be a way of notifying them without anyone finding out.
“I’ll discuss the matter with the king and queen.” He slowly sat up and stood next to the bed. “Go back to sleep. Once you’re well enough, I’ll introduce you to my parents.”
“Are you leaving now?” She had no desire to be alone in a strange room, no matter how luxurious and comfortable it was. She didn’t escape Russek to come here to another gilded cage.
He rubbed his tired face. “I don’t want to. However, now that you’re awake, I can’t sleep in here at night. Unnecessary rumors will spread.”
Her face warmed at the implication. “I understand.”
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. There are two guards posted outside the door. You are safe here.”
She didn’t want him to leave. They’d fought so hard and risked so much.
He paused at the door, his hand resting on the handle. “I’d do anything to keep you safe.” His intense eyes shone bright, as if trying to convey something to her. When she went to question him, he left, not giving her a chance.
***
Allyssa woke up to the sound of people whispering. Odar and a servant stood near the foot of her bed, their heads bent together.
“She is to be well taken care of,” he insisted.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“I want her to stay in bed until the healer deems she is well enough to move about the room. Under no circumstances are you to admit any visitors.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Allyssa pushed herself to a sitting position.
“You’re awake,” he said, immediately coming to her side and rearranging the pillows behind her back so she could sit comfortably. “I’ve ordered a plate of food to be brought. The healer will check in on you sometime this morning.” He kissed her cheek. “Remember,” he whispered, “no one knows who you are. I want to keep it that way for now.”
“And yet, you just kissed me.” What would the servant think of that?
He smiled. “I couldn’t help myself.” He went to the door.
“You’re leaving?” Didn’t he plan on spending the day with her?
His shoulders slumped. “I’m going to Jarvik’s grave.”