Her Eyes Burn Red (INCOMPLETE PROJECT)

Chapter 4

Birds. The tune of a creature that is far from being accustomed to the night. My eyes fluttered open, expecting the world to be dark and terrifying but then meeting a world I felt I hadn't seen in ages. My back was stiff and my skin felt odd and clammy. An afternoon beam of light fell across my cheek and lips, a warmth I'd forgotten. But I hadn't forgotten the voice that followed.

"Well, seems our guest is finally awake." I sat up and saw Fibanck sitting at the foot of the bed, his arms crossed over his chest with a devilish grin plastered onto his face. "Good morning, Solin. I see you've been quite busy."

"What's happened?" I asked, looking around. The room I was residing was not familiar, it was strange and disconcerting. "What am I doing here?"

"To put this matter plainly, you arrived here three days ago with a fever so terrible the sun would be jealous of the heat. Your beloved husband, and father of your unborn child, escorted you and your brothers to my humble camp for safety and treatment; with luck you came around thanks to a heavy blend of herbs, and berries to ease the bitterness." Fibanck stood straight and approached, sitting down beside me. "You have nothing to fear, I will not allow any such harm to you."

"What have you done with Vlad?" I asked him, fear crawled upon my spine and tears pushed at the back of my eyes to escape the ducts. "If you threw him into the sun I will surely-"

"No. No of course not." Fibanck's brow came together in sympathy. "Do not worry your pretty head, Vlad is alive and well. Merely waiting for an appearance by you to his cell in the dungeons, away from most sun light."

"But enough to keep him on his toes I gather?"

"Yes, he insisted that I lock him away so that he would not attack me. My guards would kill any party for doing or attempting an act."

"Well, he does hate you, Fibanck." I sat up even more and Fibanck moved a hand, it made me flinch away. "When can I see him?"

"Soon, I need to fetch a doctor. Solin, you have broken your fever but I must ensure that you are well enough for movement." Fibanck told me before he got up and made a gesture to two guards who stood by a flap of deep purple fabric, one left quickly while the other stood in the way as if to block the way. 

I  pulled the blanket over my legs up to my chest. What hardly made sense was the fact I was now under his care. Why would I be here? Vlad hates Fibanck and I fear his abuse to women and torture to his enemies; a man like him should be feared and yet ignored. As much as I tried to wrap my head around the situation it didn't make sense regardless of what way I looked at it.

"I will require that you rest a while longer before I allow you to see Vlad."

"How long is a while?"

"A few days, just to make certain. I hope that this is not an inconvenience." Fibanck walked back to his chair, reaching over beside him to a pedestal of fruit. "I suppose you're hungry, shall I fetch you some food?" his attention then went to the remaining guard, "When the other returns I would like for you to have food brought here for our guest; and only the best of what we carry with us." The guard nodded.

When the other guard returned Fibanck left, leaving me alone with one guard remaining in sight. I laid there quietly, stroking my belly and humming a lullaby. All I could truly think about was my husband, and I know I think about him often but now was the time when I was most worried. Our child would be born soon and without him near I feared he would miss the birth; my nerves shook and my head spun with too much thinking, there was hardly anything I could think to do to calm myself down.

By the time I'd nearly broken down into tears over my own worries, I was interrupted by the sudden clang of metal beside me. I shot up, my fingers tangled in my blanket as I clutched it to my chest.