Warlord's Ward

The Potion

"A potion." He turned to the next page. His head moving as he read down the page. He was leaned against the table. One fist propping him up, atop the table next to the binding. His legs were leaned back, and his shoulders were bent forward to hover over the book. Showing his intense interest in what he was reading.

And his clear disinterest in my current panic.

"I'd gathered that. But what?"

What's going to happen to me?

Did he just poison me?

He listed off several contents that sounded relatively harmless. Before looking up at me. His fingers still propped behind one page. "Relax. If I intended to kill you, I could've done it long before now."

"No, you couldn't." I said softly.

"What in all this country, would make you think that?" His brow furrowed.

"I'd raise the roof screaming."

"No one would hear you. And if they did, they wouldn't care. They'd think I was merely torturing you."

Merely?

"How many women have you brought up here to torture?" I blurted.

He lifted a casual slim, brown finger to indicate one.

I'm going to assume that's me. I wasn't entirely sure if I was complimented or insulted by that knowledge.

"What'd you give me?"

What's going to happen to me now.

"Calm down." He straightened. Letting the page fall and approaching me. Stopping just short of touching me. He nodded toward my body. "Look for yourself."

I blinked dumbly at him.

He snatched my hand and lifted it into my view.

I registered it was no longer plump and fleshen but was back to my simple, thin hand.

I look like me again. I reached up to touch my hair and confirmed it was long and only had a few waves in it.

I caught a chunk and pulled it forward. Seeing it was a rich brown with many red highlights. My hair.

"You could've warned me!" I squawked.

He lifted his head and leisurely turned the page. "But what fun would've that been?"

What! Fun? Far from fun! Without thought, I lunged forward to slap his shoulder.

He ducked off to the side and covered his arm. Laughing and fleeing around the table while I chased him. Looking far younger as we played like children. A wide toothy grin split his face. Making his skin seem darker for the vivid white of his teeth. And his blue eyes all the brighter. He tossed back his head and laughed uproariously.

The distraction caused him to kick into the chair leg, trying to round it, and stumbled against the table.

Bringing me close enough to him to bat his shoulder. "You're awful!"

He leaned away, still roaring with laughter as he ducked from my reach. "I surrender! I surrender!"

I subsided. Glowering at him. Still close enough I caught the woodsy sent of him and saw the sheen of his waving black hair. "I'm glad this is all so very funny to you."

I certainly didn't find it funny. But I could admit that playing with him and seeing his laughter had brought me some element of joy.

Happy for a stolen moment.