Blood Ward

Chapter 21

I woke what couldn't have beenten minutes later to a change of scenery. I was inside mine andAnders' tent and though I still felt weak, my wounds had allhealed. I sat up with a bit of a headache putting a hand to my head."Ana..." Anders knelt next to me. "Are you okay?"

"I... I think so..." I stillfelt a little out of sorts.

Suddenly he grabbed me and huggedme tightly. "Oh, my little warrior. When you lost consciousness, Ithought I'd lost you."

"I'm okay," I insisted,allowing him to panic a little. I had thought myself that I had fought mylast battle.

"Don't ever do that again. Idon't think my heart could take it," he whispered.

"You're not the one whoalmost died," I smiled.

"That's not funny, luv," hesaid giving me a half smile.

"Come on, it's a littlefunny," I said standing slowly. He joined me. "How's Reif?"

"A little drained," he saidhonestly. "He says he's going to need to feed tonight."

"Good... and Lúthiel?"

"She is a powerful healer. Allshe did for you and all she suffered was a headache," he smiled.

"Daeron must be jealous," Isaid looking over the damage to my clothes.

"We should clean you up,"Anders said rubbing his thumb over my cheek and coming away withblood.

I nodded, thankful I'd pickedup some new clothes in Banaila the day before. I started to strip myshirt off and Anders saw the bloodied makeshift bandage on my side."I'm okay," I said ripping it off and showing him the smoothskin.

"I think I like Reif'squestion from before. What the hell happened?" he said.

"Bandits... who didn't playby the rules... They're all dead now," I said shrugging.

"You act like it was nocontest," he said smiling at my shrug.

I changed my clothes and shruggedagain. "Three against one and I'm still standing."

He sighed, obviously wanting toargue, but knowing it would get him nowhere. Before he could changehis mind and open his mouth, Reif burst into the tent. "Stasia!What were you thinking?!"

I gaped. "What?" I asked insurprise. He was clearly angry with me. His eyes were black.

"Why didn't you call me?!"he grabbed my upper arms and shook me. "I could have helped.Dammit, Stasia! This was reckless!"

I slapped his hands away. "Youthink I had time to stop and clear my head enough to reach out toyou?" I said angrily. "I was a little preoccupied."

Instead of yelling back, hegrabbed me up in his arms and hugged me like Anders had. "Youfrightened me so badly, Stasia."

"I'm still alive," I said.

"I felt you slipping away fromme," he said softly. I let him hug me then pulled away.

"Are youalright?" I asked pointedly.

He nodded. "I'll need bloodtonight."

"I think I should make anappearance," I said. "So everyone knows I'm alright."

Anders picked up a rag and dippedit in a bowl of water. "Let me wipe off the excess blood. You don'twant to look too bloodied up."

When I was deemed presentable, Istepped out of the tent, flanked by both Anders and Reif. I wasimmediately jumped by Beast who licked me almost literally from headto foot as I laughed. "It's good to see you up and aboutcommander," Daeron said. "Lú did a much better job than I couldhave."