Shadow Seer [18+]

~ Thirty Nine ~

When Sanaa finally came around, she noticed immediately that she was moving. More specifically she was in an open sided carriage, propped up on a bed of cushions and furs that smelt faintly of jasmine. Lifting her hand slowly to shield herself from the sun to her left, Sanaa turned her head slowly to look around. She took in the surrounding desert that while still stretched before her, was now filled with a caravan of people and camels. They all travelled leisurely no, looking for all the world like they were happy and safe. She even saw and heard children running around so she knew at least that she was not in any immediate danger. As she allowed herself to drink in the people and sounds around her, Sanaa realised there was a safe and homely feel about the atmosphere immediately set her at ease even though she felt nauseous and light headed.

Licking her too dry lips, she tried to speak, "A-amir?" Her throat was dry, her lips cracked and chafed but she tried again, her voice coming out to weak for anyone to hear her. "Amir?"

"I'm here."

His soothing voice was the comfort she needed as he took hold of her hand and kissed it gently. His own lips were as smooth and soft as she remembered so she accepted that he was doing much better than she was.

"Drink this," he said gently and she felt the water skin press to her lips as he held her head up. She took greedy sips but Amir was on hand to regulate her in take before she choked.

"Where are we?" she managed to ask even as her head lulled against the cushions behind her, she felt so weak.

"Save your strength sweetheart. I'll explain everything later."

Sanaa didn't have the energy to disobey him and soon fell under the cover of darkness once more, Amir's soft kiss on her lips as she did.

When Sanaa awoke the second time she was in a bed and Amir was laying beside her, fast asleep. Her body and face felt tight, achy and when she tried to speak, her lips felt pasted together. Slowly, she looked around and took in the space around her. She was in a tent, that much was clear. Simply furnished with a large open chest with garments spilling out of it and a small wooden table and two chairs, a bowl and pitcher on the table. Through the small break in the tent's opening, she could see the sun was up but she was saved from its harsh glare by the colourful tent covering all around them. Using the little strength she could muster, Sanaa turned her whole body in the bed to face Amir. He was breathing soundly, clearly unharmed and a large part of her relaxed at that. If he could fall asleep, he must have felt safe enough to do so. Again, pushing herself, Sanaa, snuggling into his warmth and wrapped her arm around him. His arm tightened around but he didn't wake and she fell asleep once more.

The next time Sanaa woke, Amir was too. His smile was lazy as he reached out to stroke her face before leaning forward and placing a delicate kiss onto her lips. Sanaa closed her eyes, leaning into the caress and took a deep breath of him. He smelled like he always did, of mint and leather and she marvelled at that for the first time in a long while. She used to dream of that scent, wish to smell it as he walked by her in the halls, knowing even then that she cared for him even when she knew it was ludicrous to do so. How he still managed to keep the smell after so long away from home, she didn't know or care.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, stroking her cheek with the pad of his thumb. Sanaa wet her lips and cleared her throat before trying to speak. He noticed the movement and leaned away from her, reaching for a cup of water by the bed side. He was topless, she saw and took in the glorious sight of him as he stretched. When he held the wooden cup to her lips, she gulped down the water, relishing the gloriously cold liquid down her throat. When her thirst was quenched, she could finally answer him.

"I've seen better days. How are you?"

Amir leaned forward to kiss her again, "Much better now that you're awake."