From the Ashes

Chapter 26 ~ Stories First Told

    Morana hissed between her teeth as Tarion attempted to help her stand. She kept ahold of his hand but let her weight fall back on the bed, shaking her head. "My legs are shaking too much."

    The fact was owed to her remaining injuries and exhaustion, even though Tarion had forced her to remain in bed and relax the remainder of the day prior. But she couldn't lounge here a moment longer. She wanted to bathe and she needed to heal her injuries. To tap into her magic and show it that it was hers to command, not the other way around.

    "I can carry you again," Tarion offered, and Morana's cheeks flamed. She hadn't quite come to terms with that particular indignity yet.

    When she tried to get up to relieve herself yesterday, her body had failed her completely. Tarion had carried her into the bathroom and set her on the toilet itself. She still marveled at the contraption.

    It also utilized running water, unlike the mere holes in the ground that she was used to. Her excitement was toned down though, since Tarion remained to hold her steady when she struggled to maintain her balance just sitting up long enough to piss.

    She'd thrown a variety of profanities at him when he teased her for taking so long to go. Then he'd reassured her that it was a well deserved indignity, considering the state of filth he'd been in when they first met. That earned him a solid punch in the shoulder, though it only made his smirk widen.

    Morana blinked the thoughts away and found that same smirk resting on Tarion's lips. She rolled her eyes with a disgusted huff. "You must have liked what you saw before, Prince Tari. I can't think of another reason why you'd be so eager to get me in that bathtub yourself."

    "Well, you're not ugly," was his only reply. Morana feigned offense and turned her nose up, crossing her arms over her chest and facing the other way. "I wasn't aware you were so eager for my admiration."

    "Who doesn't want a Prince panting after them?" She answered haughtily.

    "Am I Fae or a dog?"

    "I don't see much of a difference when it comes to males. You're just as possessive. Just as loud. Just as obnoxious. Just as aggressive."

    "But females love us anyway." A heartbeat later, the amusement faded from his eyes. Morana sensed his thoughts as surely as if he'd spoken them.

    She gave a resigned sigh and held out her arms. "Fine. Help me."

    Tarion slipped his arms around her and lifted her easily. Morana hooked her own around his neck as he carried her into the bathroom. He set her on the lowered toilet seat and turned to the bathtub. Morana carefully peeled off her bandages, wincing at the few jolts of pain the motion sent through her.

    The tub was still filling up by the time she finished. She piled the bandages aside, then fingered the edge of the garment covering her breasts. She pursed her lips and let her hand fall.

    Tarion turned off the faucet and faced her. "It'd be better for you to heal your injuries before getting in, but if you'd rather do it in the tub, that's your choice."

    She nodded and drew a measured breath, attempting to ease the nerves that bunched in the pit of her stomach. She dredged up the instructions they'd spent hours going over yesterday, and hesitantly reached for her magic.

    Morana's eyes narrowed as she felt it stir within her. No, there was no room for hesitation. Not when these very injuries were the result of it thinking it had control over her. She would quell that here and now.

    Morana pried the magic from its resting spot behind her sternum and fed it through her veins, making her intent clear and commanding. She leveled a hand over her leg and magic warmed her fingertips. She touched two of them to the wound with a faint wince.