Life From Your Lips (Ruby Rose fanfic)

THIRTY-FOUR (Ruby POV)

"Iselen, I know you're nervous and in pain but I need you to calm down," I whisper in her ear while walking next to her. My girl doesn't answer but tries to hold back her sobs despite I can feel she's shaking, because of the shock and fear, probably. Amenenjat is carrying her in his arms to take her to the boat given that my precious messenger of Isis can't walk, her foot is swollen and doesn't look good, to be honest. In my mind, I can't stop praying to the goddess while holding her hand. This excursion was a mess and I put my girl in danger again and again because of my impulsiveness.

"I hate scorpions... damned, disgusting, creepy-crawly creatures..." she sobs angrily and I nod, smiling slightly when hearing the rage in her voice.

"I know, Meri, I agree with you. But the poor animal believed you were going to step on it and it defended itself, that's all."

"I wish I would squash it with my work boots," she growls through her gritted teeth while the captain of the Medjay helps her to sit down on a mat on the deck. Amenenjat orders the crew to go back to the palace immediately and his men help them to set sail, I grab a linen shawl and put it on Iselen's shoulders, her lower lip shakes slightly and I can't help kissing her gently. "My God, how much I miss my Vans sneakers... Egyptian people are crazy, walking across the desert wearing sandals while these dangerous bugs are hiding in holes..."

"What's wrong, dear?" Naunet walks out of the small wooden cabin and looks at us bewildered. "This was a very short excursion, did you find what you were looking for in the temple?"

"A scorpion has stung the messenger of Isis on her foot," her niece whispers while soaking a linen cloth with the water of a jug and wiping away the sweat and tears from Iselen's face, I help her brushing away some locks of hair and the brunette makes herself comfortable in my embrace, at least she's not shaking anymore.

"Oh, come on, dear, there's no reason to be so nervous..." For a second, my girl forgets about her fear and pain to stare at the Egyptian lady in disbelief. I think she doesn't like her anymore, judging by her outraged face.

"The poison could kill me," Iselen whispers and her words send a shiver of terror down my spine, I can't help taking her hand while my heart races and she leans her torso on my body, seeking comfort. For the first time since we traveled back in time, I understand what being in Ancient Egypt really means, there're not modern hospitals here and any minor infection or allergic reaction could kill us, this is not a funny vacation to visit friends. I have to find Tiyi and put her ass in front of a judge to be able to go back home, my home in the future. Although part of me will always stay here in the kingdom of Kemet, this is not my home anymore.

"Don't be dramatic, that won't happen... In fact, if a fattail scorpion had stung you, you'd be death already and your foot would look much worse." Naunet shakes her head and opens a small trunk hidden in a corner of the deck. "I have some natron salts here, we're going to dissolve them in water and clean the wound, we'll apply a compress dipped in cold water later, you'll go to bed and will feel better, I promise."

"Meri, do you have trouble swallowing?" I ask quietly, I don't want to scare her even more, but we need to know it. Iselen shakes her head and I heave a sigh, relieved. "Okay, you're not having an allergic reaction."

"Praa Sat, do you have willow bark at the palace? I think this girl would need some to soothe the pain, I bet she'll sleep better... You could also give her mandrake root or opium poppy, but they'd be very powerful herbal teas and I don't think you need to go to such lengths... A little bit of willow bark and a glass of wine and she'll sleep like a baby." Naunet comes back with a bowl and a cloth and kneels down to clean the wound while Iselen clenches her jaw again and grabs my hand hard.