Daughter of War

Chapter 20 - Healing

Thora sighs as she walks through the halls, she takes deep breaths as her head spins from lack of sleep. Her hand reaches out to steady herself on the wall for a moment before she continues.

"Thora," someone calls as she passes the gardens, she turns to face her sister, Genorra, escorted by Corzak.

"I'm sorry," Thora sighs as her sister stands in front of Thora, "I had to accompany the king in court, how did it go?"

"I love him," Genorra squeals, "He is so handsome, and kind and smart."

Thora smiles as her sister continues to babble on about her intended, Thora walks with Genorra through the halls until they reach the royal bedchambers.

"Do you want me to go away?" Genorra asks as Thora stands at the door, her hand hovering by the handle.

"No," Thora says, taking the handle and opening the door, "I don't want to be alone."

As Thora opens the door, Damia steps away from the swinging door and her eyes wide in shock.

"Damia, my apologies," Thora gapes, recovering from the shock of her handmaid, "where are you doing?"

Damia hides her hands in her skirts and then says, "I was looking for you."

"Has my husband awakened yet?" Thora asks, stepping into the room and around her lady.

"Um, no," Damia stammers, "But I'm sure he'll waken soon."

Thora dismisses Damia, forgetting why the lady was there in the first place as she goes to her husband's side.

"How is he?" Genorra asks as Thora presses her hand to Alden's forehead.

"His fever has broken," Thora smiles, "He is resting, Corzak," Thora says, turning towards her friend, "Go and find Annya, bring her back here, now."

"Yes, princess," Corzak says, bowing and then leaving the room.

Thora turns back to her husband and gently brushes his hair from his forehead.

"What's it like?" Genorra asks, sitting down on the chaise, "Being with a man?"

Thora looks to her sister as Genorra blushes.

"Are you asking what sex is like?" Thora asks, standing to her feet and walking over to her sister.

"That, and other things," Genorra admits, looking at Alden, "What is it like to sleep besides someone? To have a child? I don't know what I'm doing."

"I didn't know what I was doing either," Thora says, sitting down on the end of the bed, "Trust me, Gen, the best thing you can do is talk to Tristane. If you are uncomfortable with the situation, tell him"

"What if he doesn't want to change?" Genorra asks, her face paling and her hands starting to shake.

"Then use what father taught us," Thora says, her face hardening at the thought, "Fight him, show him that he does not own you. That, even though you are married, you are still your own person, and the Lady who over ranks him. If he tries anything that you don't want, stop him, then come find me. I'll protect you."

Suddenly a commotion sounds down the hall and the sound of rushing footsteps approach.

The door bangs open and Corzak enters, carrying Blaine in her cape, Corzak's armour is covered in blood, her eyes haunted. Thora's heart stops beating, she rushes over to Corzak and takes her baby, his eyes are closed and his face, covered in blood.

Thora cannot hear a sound, she pinches Blaine's cheek and her breath catches in her throat, fearing the worst.

But Blaine begins to wail, and Thora's wold begins spinning again. She takes her child hugs him close to her chest taking deep breaths and soothing him.