Slater rose from the pool, whipping his hair back from his face, enjoying the sting of it hitting his back. The cold air bit at his naked flesh but he ignored it, relieved to see his dick was limp for the first time in days. The icy water had served its purpose, both in refreshing him and cooling his blood. The only thing it couldn't do was free him from the fierce desire that plagued him for the willful little witch. That had been set aside, temporarily, in his concern for her.
Drying himself as best he could with a clean, albeit warn cloth, Slater dressed quickly and headed back to camp. This was the first time he'd left Gabriella's side since she'd fallen ill three days ago.
Making sure she'd been sleeping peacefully Slater had used the time to see to his men, bathe, and clear his thoughts. He was certain his resolve was firm now. He would no longer attempt to trespass on his brother's property. Even though thinking of the sweet girl that way made him feel sick, he knew that was how it must be.
And the conviction held until he heard her scream.
Bursting into the tent Slater's eyes narrowed at the sight within. An old woman was standing at the foot of the cot with a bloody knife. Two of his men stood at either side of the bed, reaching out. And Gabriella was pressed back against the canvass of the tent, hugging her knees, shaking and gasping as her eyes shot in panic to the men.
Seeing the blood seeping to the sheets from beneath her foot Slater stepped forward, letting out an angry roar. "What is the meaning of this?"
His men backed away. The old woman stared at him, then shook her head, motioning to a wood bucket by the foot of the bed. "A standard leeching My Lord. She is feverish."
Slater's lip curled in disgust as he eyed the thin black creatures, slipping about in the water. "Have you used the same treatment with the others?"
The old woman nodded, started to speak, then simply clamped her lips shut. She shot an entreating look at someone that had entered behind Slater.
Slater glanced over his shoulder as Heim came towards him. "Did you know about this?"
Heim shook his head and gave the old woman a look of stern disapproval. "No. But I think it is obvious they waited until you were absent to administer the treatment."
With a nod of agreement Slater moved closer to the bed. He held out his arms, pleased when Gabriella immediately crawled over to him, letting him lift her into his strong embrace. "And seeing as how the treatment was ineffective with the others I see no need to use it on her as well. I am bringing her to my tent. Send me the royal physician Heim. The girl is too valuable to risk to these butchers."
For a moment Slater was sure Heim would object. One look at how Gabriella was clinging to Slater, shaking violently, and Heim gave a firm nod, heading out to carry out Slater's command.
Slater brought Gabriella to his tent and eased her down onto the cushions within. Finding a clean strip of cloth he bound her foot, then got a thick blanket to cover her with. Settling in, appearing much more at ease, Gabriella grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest, smiling shyly at Slater.
"Thanks. I was sure they were going to kill me."
Worried as he was Slater couldn't help but laugh. "You have a strange fixation with death when you are ill little one." Laying down close to her side Slater propped himself up on one elbow. "Why is that?"
Gabriella looked down, then shrugged. "I don't know. I've always been taken care of when I was sick..."
Slater frowned. "I thought I was doing a rather good job of taking care of you. This was the first time I left your side."
Tugging at her lip with her teeth Gabriella shrugged again, still not looking at him. "Oh I know, and I do appreciate it." She flushed. "But it's not what I'm used to. My mom usually brings me chicken soup and lots of tea. My dad tells me stories and brushes my hair..."
Making a face Slater shook his head. "Your father brushes your hair? What kind of man does that?"
The insinuated insult of her father brought Gabriella's head up. Blue eyes snapping she glared at him. "The kind of man who loves his daughter. He did it to help me sleep. He was secure enough in his manliness that he didn't have to be macho all the time." She arched a brow and smirked. "Unlike some people."
Slater didn't miss the jibe. He also didn't comment on it. Rather then being angry at her not so subtle disparagement of his manhood, he found he was rather impressed with the fierce loyalty she held for her sire. Of course, Slater had many who were loyal to him, but it was a loyalty driven by fear, of either himself or his brother.
Slater wonder what it would be like to be given loyalty based on love.
A plan formulated in his head. It would take some work, and some patience, but both would be needed in any case while the girl was ill. He wasn't sure it would work, but he would make the effort. He would earn the girl's trust, cease using fear to attempt to control her, and see if he could earn some of that intense loyalty for himself.
Slater took Gabriella's hand. "I am sorry Gabriella. I must confess, I've never had such gentle treatment from any that have cared for me. Perhaps you can teach me how to do it. I would very much like to see you well." His lips curved in response to the doubt in her eyes. "I get tired of your talk of death."
Giggling Gabriella shook her head. "You're a soldier. Why would me talking about dying bug you so much? You deal with death all the time."
A solemn expression on his face Slater stroked the sweat sleeked hair from her face. "Perhaps my sweet, but I wouldn't like to see one so lovely meet such an end." The sweetness of his words made Slater roll his eyes. His features lightened. "Besides. I think you are being over dramatic."
Before Gabriella could protest Heim and the royal physician entered the tent. Slater stood back as the physician examined Gabriella, watching his gentle ministrations with approval. After giving Heim a few instruction and watching him leave Slater went to the doctor to receive his diagnosis.
"She does have a fever, but these herbs in a tea for a few days should help until we reach the town. The healers there will make quick work of the blasted ailment and she will be fine." The man said. He glanced towards Gabriella's wrapped foot which peeked out from under the blanket. "I don't approve of bleeding, and if that is how they are caring for the others, I can see why they are still so ill. There is much risk of infection out here, and thinning the blood keeps them weak."
Slater nodded. "If you are able Mathis I would like you to see to the other Unawakened. Things will go badly if we lose any to this sickness along the way."
Mathis gave a swift motion of accord. "I was going to request permission My Lord. If you have no further need of me I will see to it now."
With Slater's accord and wave of dismissal the man left. Slater went back to sit at Gabriella's side. "You see. Just as I said, you are going to be fine."
Sighing heavily Gabriella dropped her head back on the pillows. "I don't feel fine."
Bending down Slater kissed her forehead. "Well my sick little baby, we shall see what we can do about that."
***
Gabriella had drifted off to sleep by the time Heim returned. Slater gently nudged her awake, helped her sit up and braced one knee behind her so she could lean on it. Gabriella's eyes went wide when she watched Slater take the bowl Heim held out to him, along with a steaming pewter mug. She watched Slater set the mug on a bare part of the floor and wave Heim away.
"What...?" She opened her mouth without thinking when Slater lifted a spoon, full of soup, to her lips.
Slater smiled when he saw her face light up. "Chicken soup. I doubt it is as good as your mother's, but it should do the job."
Gabriella let Slater feed her in silence, a look of wonderment on her face, clearly showing her amazement at the change in his behavior. Slater was pretty amazed himself. He'd never taken care of anyone. Had never wanted to. He wondered if it was the girl's wild magic again.
Centering himself, never pausing in spooning the soup to her lips, Slater sent out a tendril of his own power, seeking any trace of hers. He found nothing, was pleased to see her powers were securely locked away, as they should be. It made him happy, and worried him all at once. Did this mean he was being considerate all on his own?
Deciding not to think on it Slater set the empty bowl aside. Checking the mug to see if it had cooled he dropped a pinch of the herbs the doctor had given him inside. Swirling it around with his finger, he lifted his eyes to Gabriella, and then brought his wet finger to her lips. He smiled, sure she would turn away. His smile fell when she opened her mouth and took his finger inside, sucking it clean.
They sat their, unmoving, for what seemed a very long time. Cheeks turning red Gabriella released his finger and turned away. Slater shook himself, then held out the mug to her.
"Here. Drink this, the doctor said it would help with the fever."
Gabriella took the mug without looking at him. "I heard."
Slater frowned. He stood abruptly and turned to leave. "You should get some rest..."
"Don't go."
Slater stopped midway in reaching for the flap of the tent. Turning back slowly he looked down at her, sure he had heard wrong. The pleading in her eyes told him he hadn't.
Gabriella sipped at the brew, not taking her eyes from him. Then she cleared her throat. "You're being nice to me. I know it probably won't last, but I want to enjoy it while it does."
