Haven And Chaos

19) In his arms again

A cold towel swept across her forehead, silently pulling Maya from the void she had fallen into the previous day. Her eyelids blinked several times, her mind jumbled up to a point where she could not even recall her last name. 'Where am I?' She wondered lost in her fuzzy memories that hadn't made their way back.

"Good morning Miss Maya." A gentle voice greeted, welcoming her back to the land of the living as the owner continued wiping away the thin sweat that kept seeping out of her pores. "What would you like to have for breakfast?"

Maya frowned at the beautiful young woman who seemed not over four years older than her. Staring at those doe eyes, Maya's memory slowly cleared.
"Lisa? Lisa! School! Gale!" She squeaked springing to a sitting position while sending her heart in a frenzy.

Her gaze jumped outside the young sunrise which was visible from her bed. "It's already the next-"

"Don't worry about that. Lord Gale took care of everything. He said you should get better soon." Lisa's heart twisted. Gale hadn't said that, no. He had ordered her to take care of Maya and make sure she was well by nightfall. She couldn't believe the nerve of that man. Sometimes, she found herself wondering how such a cold human became an archduke. Why hadn't the previous ruler not chosen one of his other sons?

Even though her memory of the democratic era was vague and shadowed by terrifying wars, Lisa felt it was a bit better because the people had the power to take down a ruler and replace him with someone else from a different family, location, and even ethnicity.

But with the absolute monarchy, only the kings, queens, or the imperial family had that kind of power.
Not all states were ruled by archdukes. This high rank belonged to ten specific states that were strongholds of the imperial family during the war period almost three decades ago.
Which meant that the archdukes held more army power than the states ruled by dukes.

"Ow! My head hurts. How, how long have I been out?"

Putting down the small towel on the side of the little green basin, Lisa got off the bed. "Over fifteen hours. You passed out due to low blood sugar levels. The doctor said you're to eat proper meals every day and Lord Gale assigned me the-"

"Gale did that?" Maya half yelled taken aback. She was okay with his bitterness because his kindness scared her like a needle lying under a full water balloon.

"Yes." Lisa picked up the basin from the space near the pillows. Her eyes swept over Maya in a rush, noting how the unhealthy paleness had subsided since she gave her the glucagon injection as directed by the family doctor.
"If you wish to take a bath, I'll prepare it for you. But only after you have breakfast. From today onwards, I've been instructed to make sure you have at least two healthy meals a day."

"Oh!"
Maya slumped her back on the pillows while her hands gathered the warm cover to her chest. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened in the period she had been unconscious. Had Gale slept well the previous night? Would he punish her for being sick? Would he lessen his harshness upon her?

"Has he left?"

"If you're asking about Lord Gale, yes. He had an early meeting so he left quite early."

"Did..." Maya hesitated. Not that she cared about him, she was just curious. "Did he look any different from yesterday?"

Lisa's hands stiffened on the rim of the small basin. She was about to question Maya's senses. Why would she ask about the man who was making her life so miserable? Did she...worry about Gale?

"I'm afraid I didn't see him as I was busy tending to you, Miss Maya. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go bring you breakfast. I shall make sure it's healthy enough to give your body the strength it needs," Lisa said firmly, hoping that Maya understood that she didn't have to worry about 'that man'.

Maya nodded meekly, her gaze dropping to her covered feet.
She didn't know what to feel or expect at this point. Would it have been wiser not to push her body so hard yesterday? Should she quietly suffer in their hands?

Lisa noticed Maya's finger fidget while her eyes stared at nothing. She could tell that Maya might fall into depression soon if her mental health continued to deteriorate like this. But, what to do?
She couldn't ask her to run away if she didn't want to.

Maya had to first know the risks of running away from a man like Gale and be ready to face the consequences, just as Lisa was ready to bear her burden the day she'll hell Maya run away.

*****************************

Dark clouds spread across the sky like a fine blanket, consuming what was left of the sunset. They darkened the city as a warning to every being under it of what was to come. As lightning flashed in the distance, Maya just watched from her balcony, a heavy shawl draped on her body.
She had allowed herself to get better over the countless hours she had spent in the safety of her room. Even though she wasn't certain, she still wanted to be prepared to serve Gale as his sleeping teddy according to his orders a day ago.

It didn't please her being used as such, but she was glad that he wasn't asking for sexual pleasure. That would have made her want to stay sick for years until he got bored and tossed her out.

She inhaled the cool air and clung tightly to the shawl. How long had it been since she enjoyed some quiet time like this? Countless months maybe.

Maya released a long hefty sigh.
"The night is here. I have to face him eventually. Can't keep hiding from him for long."

************************************

"What is that?" Maya asked upon laying eyes on the small square box Lisa had set on the night table.

"Oh, that? Found it outside your door. It has your name on it. Maybe one of the girls sent you a get-well present."

"Mmm..."
'Odd, no other servant has treated me positively behind my back except for maybe Lisa. Who amongst them could be so considerate?' Maya wondered not giving it much thought. She continued to eat her dinner till nothing was left on the plate. Once done supervising her for the day, Lisa bid her good night and left the room, but, not before reminding her to lock the room throughout the entire night.

Deep in her soul, Lisa feared that Gale might show up and harm Maya again. Little did she know that Maya would willingly be walking into his room in less than half an hour.

"I will. Thanks for your concern. Sleep well."

Lisa nodded and scurried down the hallway with the tray in her hands. She did not wish to linger on that hallway a second longer than necessary for the light in Gale's room was visible from the little space beneath the door.

*******************************

As if the sheets under him were prickly, he turned and tossed around restless in the dimness.
Why hadn't she come yet? He wanted to know. He hated waiting for anybody and anything. As he pulled himself to sit, a click came from the door.
'About damn time!'

He hadn't slept much the previous night, making him agitated the entire day at the office. Right now, Gale just wanted to sleep as soon as possible.

He caught the red silk night dress she had on that matched her hair and felt a bit of relief. At least she had worn it.
"Stop dilly-dallying and get in bed!" He ordered impatiently, his right hand throwing the duvet to the side to welcome her under it.

Without making a sound, Maya quickly slipped into bed, leaving a distance between their bodies.
"Dammit!" Gale cursed pulling her back by her waist till he was spooned against her.
With her secured firmly on him, he shut his eyes and let his nostrils take in the calming scent of her hair.

Finally! His body rejoiced as his mind began shutting down from last night's sleep and the day's fatigue.