THE DRAGON'S FATED BRIDE

HELL'S PARADISE - PART 1

Since their arrival at the farmhouse, Sterling had noticed Faye's bizarre powers had faded. After hearing the knock on the door, he made sure his wife was modestly covered. He strode to the bedroom entry and abruptly swung it open.

His unsettling red eyes narrowed at the widow woman as he grumbled in ire.

"It's about time you have brought the medicine. She is still struggling to breathe."

Despite Duke Thayers' unpleasant mood, the old woman paid him no mind as she focused on tending to the young girl who lay asleep on the mattress.

She waltzed over to the bed with a tray full of items. There was hot tea and the potion she had created Faye with a few crackers—also, a washbasin, cloth, and pitcher of fresh water so the young woman could cleanse herself.

Helena treated Faye like a mother would a child, gently pushing her filthy, sweat-soaked hair from her face and carefully picking out a stray leaf, placing the dead foliage in her apron pocket.

She tenderly cooed to Faye, "Open your eyes sweety. I have brought something that will make you feel better."

Faye's eyes flitted as she struggled to open them. She stretched her limbs and could feel the warmth of the blanket draped over her tired body.

The old woman tenderly caressed her bruised cheek. Faye nuzzled her face into the soft touch of the old woman's wrinkled hand. It had been years since anyone had shown affection for Faye when she fell ill. It reminded her of when she was a young child, and her mother would care for her.

Helena whispered in a soothing voice.

"That's it dear, you are going to be alright now. What's your name?"

Blinking away the blur of sleep, Faye's eyes slowly adjusted to the dimly lit room. She fixed her light blue eyes on the old woman sitting on the bed's edge beside her.

Helena could see there was a confused, frightened look of uncertainty in them.

Faye attempted to tell the elderly woman her name, but no sound left her lips. The fire lung had once more robbed her of her ability to speak.

A dark voice bellowed the answer from across the bedchamber. It was Duke Thayer's.

"Her name is Faye. She is my wife and Duchess Thayer of Everton Fortress."

The old lady's eyes grew wide at the discovery of her guest's true identity. She raised from her chair and bowed respectfully to the Duke.

"Milord, I apologize for not recognizing who you were when you entered my home. Please forgive my ill manners."

Sterling waved his hand at her.

"Enough of the pleasantries and honorifics. I am uneasy with people fawning over me as if I am some royal from Minbury. Just fix my wife, so we may be on our way."

Helena wrung her hands as she looked back and forth between Faye and the Duke. The woman's wrinkled face was etched with worry lines, and her eyes darted around anxiously. There was a tenseness in the room as she spoke.

"I regret to tell you it will be at least three days before the Lady may travel. It is perilous for her to be moved about in this cold weather. It could worsen her condition or kill her."

Duke Thayer groaned and rolled his eyes at the news. He ran his fingers through his thick locks of raven-black hair in frustration.

Their battalion was expected back by tomorrow evening at the latest. In the morning, he would have to send most of his men back to the fortress on their own. The territory was grossly under-protected without him and his troops there to fight off any monster attacks.