The Witch's Tower - Tamara Grantham (e reader books .TXT) 📗
- Author: Tamara Grantham
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Book online «The Witch's Tower - Tamara Grantham (e reader books .TXT) 📗». Author Tamara Grantham
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.
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 to her.
She took it from me, then placed it aside.
“How long have I been sleeping?” I asked.
“Many hours. It’s afternoon now.”
“Afternoon?” I’d lost almost a whole day. This wasn’t good. If we wanted to make it back to the tower before the spell killed Prince Merek, we’d have to hurry. But I was only starting to feel normal again.
“Where’s Raj?” I asked.
“He went to visit his family.”
“His family?” My insides roiled, and I wasn’t sure if it was from my wound or my nerves.
“Yes, they’ve planned a feast tonight to celebrate his return. Are you feeling well enough to attend?”
“I’m not sure.” I stretched my arms, my fingers, shaking out my legs, testing out my body’s strength.
“I managed to stitch your wounds internally. I also applied a curing tincture made from the magical zahra blossoms growing in the frost fields. Without it, you would have bled out. You had already lost so much blood, I’m surprised you made it this far. But now, you should be quite recovered.”
I glanced at my clothing. I still wore my dirty questing robes. The blood had dried on my gown and stiffened the fabric. Smoothing the hair away from face, the greasy strands tangled in my fingers.
“Anahita, would it be possible for me to bathe? Is there a river nearby?”
“I’ve a bathing chamber in the next room. Perhaps we’re not as unsophisticated as you might think.” She winked.
Embarrassment made my cheeks grow hot. I hated being ignorant.
“I’m sorry. I’m afraid I know very little of your people or your ways after the wars.”
She took my hand. “There is no need to apologize. We’re a lost civilization for sure, and we’re not the sophisticated people we once were, though I should say, we still like a warm bath if we can have it. I shall have hot water and clean robes brought to you, if you’d like.”
“Yes, that would be wonderful.”
“Very good.” Looking from my face to my hair, she pursed her lips, as if deep in thought. “Blue robes, with silver trim, yes that would do nicely.”
“My clothes don’t need to be fancy,” I said.
She gave me a knowing look, as if she was privy to a secret. “Oh, but I believe it should be special for you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve known Raj since he was a child. He would run through the streets with bare feet and that smile that lights up his face. You know the one, yes?”
I had to laugh. He had a charming smile. Sometimes too charming. “Yes, I know, but what’s this got to do with my clothes?”
“He’s never looked at a girl before, much less cared for one the way he cared for you.”
My heart pattering, I glanced away from her. “Then you misunderstand. He was only trying to save me. He would’ve done that for anyone.”
“Nay, child. I saw the way he looked at you.”
I exhaled to steady my breathing. “He doesn’t think of me in that way. He told me he prefers Outlander girls.”
“No. He prefers you, that is why he shall see you the way he ought to—in the robes of an Outlander. You will look splendid.” She tapped her chin. “The turquoise jewels for your hair. Yes, that will do nicely.”
I wasn’t sure I liked where this conversation was going. “But I’m not an Outlander. Dressing as one won’t change that.”
She only smiled. “We’ll see.”
She took the bowl and left the way she’d come. I stared at the canvas overhead, wondering how I’d gotten to this point. Our journey hadn’t gone at all as expected, and my feelings for Raj had grown deeper than I cared to admit. Did I love him? I didn’t know, but I knew I cared for him—probably more than I ought to.
Anahita thought he cared for me, and I didn’t disagree, but I had no clue if his feelings ran deeper, or if I was a mere
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