Deadly Beautiful (SuperCorp Medieval AU)

Part 15

  or the one where flirting happens and the mild suspicion and paranoia begins to mount  

When Maggie got to the bath-house with fresh clothes and bandages, she felt as though she were intruding on a moment.

Lena was mid-giggle and Kara was smiling a bit tiredly but with a hint of triumph at having brought the look to the princess' face. She watched for a while more, her heart aching on behalf of the two women. Lena continued to work a comb through Kara's long blonde hair as the other woman washed with her good hand, being careful to keep her bandage dry. Maggie hated to bother them when they were like this, those moments were so rare.

"Clean clothes and some dressing changes. The master said you were experienced enough to handle them yourself?" Maggie asked as she joined them.

"I am." Kara said with a nod, her face falling a bit. "Shoulder injuries are one of the worst, but nothing I can't handle. Have our people found the co-conspirators who assisted the assassin into Lena's room, yet?"

Maggie and Lena were both surprised by the question.

"What do you mean? I had assumed he was working alone." Lena asked with alarm in her voice.

"While that is a possibility, it's highly unlikely. Someone had to have provided him with one of our uniforms, no one matching his description worked in the palace. You were correct in calling it an inside job, my lady, just not in the way you thought." Maggie told her. "To answer your question, Kara, His Highness is having the vast majority of the staff questioned about how he could have gotten as close as he did. They say he is in a true rage about his and you are being lauded as a hero in the kingdom. At the rate the story is spreading you will soon be as legendary a figure as Lord J'onn."

Kara scoffed at that. "I"m no hero. Anyone else in my position would have done the same."

Maggie and Lena glanced to one another incredulously. "No, my dear, no one in your position would have been able to do as you did." Maggie argued.

"Especially with that knife poking out of them." Lena added. "You saved my life and more than proved your worth as my guard and as my friend. I owe you a life debt." Lena took one of Kara's hands in her own and kissed the backs of her her scarred knuckles. The warrior visibly blanched, unsure of how to react.

"You don't owe me anything at all. I would have protected you whether or not your brother had bought me. It's what any decent person would have done." Kara blushed hard and shrugged off the compliment.

"Your definition of a decent person sets a very high bar, my friend." Maggie said with a soft chuckle. "I doubt many would meet up to it."

"I have no doubts you would have done the same thing, Maggie." Kara argued with a 'take no prisoners' expression.

"Well... yeah, but I'm not a fair comparison." Maggie seemed surprised by Kara's words and just as bashful as the other woman had been.

"It feels pretty wonderful to know I have the two best women in the kingdom I could ever ask for on my side." Lena said with a warm smile.

"Yes, however, I'm going to have to duck out and see if your rooms have been set to rights, lady." Maggie cleared her throat and headed out. "I am very glad you will both be okay."

"We will see you shortly, then. Thank you for everything, Maggie." Lena called after the little woman.

"I hate that you got hurt at all, my lady." Kara said in a soft tone of voice Lena couldn't quite identify. One calloused thumb brushed gently over a light purple bruise blooming over the edge of Lena's jawline.

Kara's brow furrowed deeply when Lena leaned into her hand subtly. The breath caught in her chest and sank heavily like a stone. Lena's gaze held Kara's prisoner and drew her in.

"You've only been here a few months, but I already can't imagine what life would be like without you, Kara." Lena said softly. "Please, try harder to keep yourself from getting killed. I don't think I would be able to bear it."

"I promise to try harder but my choice will always be you when it comes down to the wire." Kara's voice was hoarse and her heart raced, pounding painfully inside of her chest. She couldn't bear to meet Lena's earnest gaze for a moment longer, but somehow the idea of looking away seemed worse.

"I suppose it would be asking too much." Lena broke the silence that had begun to drag on for too long. She pulled away from Kara who immediately missed the contact. Lena blinked away whatever it was that must have momentarily possessed her. "Shall I help you dress?"

Kara couldn't find her voice, so she nodded dumbly in response. Her thoughts spiraled away without her control. Lena took her hand and helped her to her feet. The princess had lovely hands, Kara noticed, long fingers perfectly suited to the pianoforte and well-manicured. She followed in silence as she worked to regulate her breathing again.