The Lost World Of Victa

Chapter 38: Not Quite Yet

I open my eyes, groaning slightly at the pain in my back. In my vision, I couldn't feel any of it, but now that I've returned to the waking world, the pain of my immortal wound is coming back. It's not full-force--completely agonizingly debilitating--like before, but it's still sore, from the cut in my back.

I roll over to one side, glancing at around the campsite. Light is filtering through the trees, and there's a small fire burning, with some rabbit roasting over it. For a moment, I can imagine this is any other day on the long trek to Warcaster.

Until I spot Zayn, leaning against a tree, staring at me, while sharpening his blade slowly. Normally, we'd both be resting, but he's on guard this morning.

Catching his sight, I start to sit up, wincing from the movement.

"How did you rest?" Zayn asks, his eyes locked on me, even as he continues sharpening the weapon.

"Fine," I say, avoiding eye contact.

I don't want to look at him, and face him. I'm still reeling from what he did to me, and what I saw in that vision. I can't afford to be lost in thought right now, but when I'm safe, I'll take the time to sort through that vision.

"I need a little more information than that. The bleeding has stopped, but I need you to tell me if you need another day of rest, or if  you think we can make it to Warcaster," he says, pausing his movement.

"Of course I'm ready to..." I start, but Zayn cuts me off.

"I understand that you would rather risk your safety than spend another day with me right now, princess, but I need you to be honest with me about how fit you are to travel. If you're not careful, a guard could spot that wound, and sense the magic coming from it. You'll need to be careful if you don't want to get caught."

I glare at Zayn, starting to get out of bed.

"If you were worried about my safety, then maybe you shouldn't have given me an immortal wound," I retort, anger slipping through.

Nothing can compare to the agony of yesterday, so I feel confident enough to let out some of my frustration.

Zayn sighs, dropping his blade on the ground, and walking over to me. He leans down, putting his arms around me to help me stand. I try to shove him away, but his grip is too strong; unrelenting.

"We're not arguing about this right now. Unless you'd like me to reactivate the wound," he says bitterly, even as he helps me dress.

I freeze, staring at him while he dresses me.

"You'd do that?" I say quietly, trying to steady my breathing, and footing.

He blinks, before gently brushing some of my hair out of my face.

"Not right now, no. You're too vulnerable. But later..." he trails off, his hand resting on my jaw.

"Right, right. It's leverage," I mutter, holding on to what he mentioned yesterday.

I take a deep breath, as Zayn frowns.

"Well, you don't have to think of it as that," he starts, his voice tinged with disappointment.

I tilt my head, looking at him incredulously, "How should I think of it then?"

"My offer from earlier still stands, princess," Zayn says softly, caressing the side of my face.

"Your offer?" I ask combing my brain from an offer.

He nods, staring intently into my eyes.

I close my eyes, thinking for a moment. What offer... Right before he gave me my...