I wanted to deny it. I wanted to scream at them that it wasn't true; but it was. I knew deep down that I had, for some obscure reason, chosen to forget my past. It was as if the realization had stolen what little energy I had retained since my arrival. My eyes rolled back in my head as I hovered on the edge of unconsciousness, but weeks of living with my eyes closed had taught me to see. Tristan came forward and sat on the bed at my side.
"Why'd you do it Sindri? Why did you forget us?" he asked quietly. A familiar presence overtook my mind and body. King Gallahein's strength replaced my own and I sat up. I slid out from under the covers and stood to my full height.
"Because she hates you, Tristan. You tore her life apart. She didn't want to remember all the pain you caused her." I spat. "Sindri is loyal to me, now. She's given up her stupid dogs and accepted the fact that there is no hope for you."
"Leave her, Gallahein. It is her decision. Not yours." Tristan growled.
"Face it, boys." I unwillingly said, looking to Ryon and Tristan. "She's Project Frost. She's mine." My King retreated, leaving me with the horrified faces of my company. I crumpled, but before I could strike the dirt, Tristan's arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me onto the cot. The others filed out to discuss what to do about me.
Tristan placed my head on his lap and combed his fingers through my hair, as Mason did. The familiar gesture melted any fear I had for the boy. I looked up at Tristan thoughtfully. His amber eyes finally meant something to me. I reached up and touched his face. "Brother." I said softly. He smiled and nodded. I fell asleep in his arms.
*******
I opened my eyes at the smell of food. Grace placed a silver platter on my lap and helped me sit up. I slowly ate the small bits of tender meat and thin vegetables. All that was left was the water. I looked to Grace for reassurance. She nodded encouragingly. I carefully sipped the clear liquid. When I didn't erupt in coughs, I thirstily gulped the rest. Grace waited until after I lay down again to speak.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"Much better. Thank you." I replied. It was a complete lie. If anything, I felt worse; but that didn't mean I couldn't hide my weaknesses. That's what Dimitri had taught me to do, wasn't it? I placed the tray on a low table at my side. A large, white head met my palm. I smiled.
"Hey Kian." I said quietly. The wolf huffed in response. She placed her head on my midsection, where I stroked the soft fur between her ears.
'They can't decide what to do with you.' Kian inwardly informed me. 'Some claim that you had no control over what the False King did to you. Others still want you dead.' I tried to mask my horror.
"Well. That's nice." I stated, sticking out my lower lip exaggeratedly. I looked to the wolf. "Do you think they'll come up with their conclusion by tonight?"
'Maybe. They've been arguing about it since you fell asleep.' I rolled my eyes.
"Sure. Decide my fate while I can't even lift a finger in my defense." I said. "What time is it?"
'About midday.' Kian replied dutifully. I sat up and ignored the wave of nausea that swayed me. The wolf stood by my side as I tightly gripped her fur and made my way to the exit. Grace rushed over and took my shoulder.
"You need your rest, Sindri." she said forcefully. "You're still too weak to leave bed." The woman began to guide me back to the cot in the corner. I tried to resist, but Grace was stronger than she looked. It was either that, or I had lost more of my strength than I once suspected.
I halted, but the sudden change in movement made my head spin. I summoned all of my will to stand tall and glare at the woman. "Do not underestimate me, Grace, Daughter of Anya. I may not look it, but am more powerful than most believe is possible. I refuse to be kept inside this tent until your commanding officers decide to kill me. I'm going to explore the camp. Those in the Pack stationed here will help me around. Your services, until nightfall, are no longer needed."
Grace smiled and shook her head. "You must think me a fool, Princess." she said. "You're even weaker than yesterday, and your condition is getting worse by the minute. I can see it in your eyes." She extended her hand to me. "Come on. You're going back to bed." I had to admit, the offer was tempting. I couldn't even stand up on my own. Even then, I was leaning heavily on Kian, clinging to her for support. The wolf seemed to agree with Grace. She shifted her body to block the exit.
As sense fled my mind, I shook my head, refusing like a stubborn child. It took all I had not to collapse. "No. I'm not going to be treated like a fragile little flower. I've been tortured, abused, threatened, and almost killed. I'm not going to spend the rest of my apparently-short life bedridden."
"Maybe not," Grace said quietly. "But you can sleep through it." I stared at her, confused for a moment. Kian used her muzzle to nudge me forward, causing me to stumble and fall. The wolf placed a paw on my chest, pinning me down. Grace knelt next to me and held my hands above my head. I didn't have the energy to struggle as she poured a sticky, sweet liquid down my throat. Colors and shapes blurred together as my body went numb and my senses clouded.
"That's a girl." she muttered. "Let it take effect." I gurgled in response. Her voice sounded odd, as if it was a whisper traveling to me through a tunnel. The pressure on my chest was removed and I was lifted into the air. My body was rested on the cot in the corner. I heard a soft click as shackles were locked onto my wrists and ankles, binding me to the corners of the bed. A multitude of blankets were placed on top of me when I shivered with cold.
"You're going to be ill for quite a while." Grace said. "By the time you're well, they would have already made their decision." She left me in the tent, alone with Kian and my feverish hallucinations. They were going to kill me and I was completely helpless.
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The Blood in Our Veins
Fantasy(Book One in the Storm Trilogy) Sindri Willow is next in line to become High Queen of Arkenon. She accepted this responsibility with a heavy heart, though she may need to rule sooner than she wanted. Her uncle, Lord Gallahein, plans to take the thro...
