The Ties that Bind Me Book 1

Through the Ashes of Pain

His voice was soft as he spoke. "Well, my mother was gentle yet firm. She made sure that I could defend myself. She knew that with just a woman to look after me I could become soft. She hired trainers, people to teach me different forms of martial arts and weapons. At the time I didn't understand it but I guess I do now. She was a genius when it came to strategy and she taught me to use my brain. She also taught me that I could always find an exit in any situation. I guess she knew that he would eventually catch up with us. Every night she would tell me 'Remember that you have to brave the darkness before you can see the light.' She taught me languages, I wasn't just strong, I also excelled in my studies. I wanted so much to keep her proud of me, so everything she threw at me I would do. What about you Imiri, what is your family like?"

I looked distant for a moment before I spoke. "Well my mother is a very excitable person and she loved to do things. She would go off on different tasks that she would never finish. It all started with learning to sew so she could fix our clothes, but she failed miserably in that then it moved to tai chi, painting, pilot, Latin dance and many others. She would always have time for us no matter what. She would make sure we had lunch for school and we had everything we needed for our activities. My brothers wanted to play soccer so she broke the bank to make sure they had top of the line everything. They loved soccer so much and they still do. They started their junior year when I left; I left my car with them so that they would have two. Between their different schedules and activities they needed it. If I had known this is where I would have ended up I would have driven myself to school. I bet my mother and brothers are frantic to find me. Well I guess that will just add to the list of things to take revenge upon. I swear if and when I ever get out of here my father will pay. I was to call my mother when I got to school, and you know she has already called them to see if I checked in.

His face fell. "Would you really kill your father? Could you do it?" He looked seriously at me like I had grown another head.

"Yes Lolek I can and I will. He robbed my family of too much and I will make sure that he gets back full payment for what has been done to me, and it will be done by my hand alone. I am not going to sit back and take things anymore; I am going to learn to stand up for myself, to fight for myself. After what Inara said how can I be so sure that she won't wait for me to turn my back one day so she can kill me. Who am I to think she wouldn't resort to that. I can't go on just being innocent, naive, and weak. It won't work in this world my father threw me into. I will either learn on my own or find those that will help me quietly. I don't want it widely known that I want to learn, that I want to be stronger. Showing I have weakness now will definitely get me killed."

I ate the last bite in the bowl smiled, fully content and worked hard to raise myself up some more. Lolek looked at me knowing the pain must be horrible, but still he let me do it on my own. 

"Imiri what if I told you that I knew of some people that could help you, that wouldn't tell a soul but they would definitely help you. What would you say to that?"

I smiled to him a wide grin and reached over to take his hand in mine. 

"I would say that I can't heal fast enough and I need to meet them immediately. I know I can walk so how about you escort me and we have a talk with them. I could use every bit of help I can get. Do you honestly think they will help me?"

He nodded his head quickly. "They saw you on that bed close to death and they felt helpless. Gethin held you in his arms and when I talked to him, he said he saw how fragile you were for such rough treatment. I think Gethin, Hao and Sarki would train you just so you weren't so easy to break. I think we can give you a couple more days of healing though. They plan to come by and see you sometime later today and I think that it will be your best chance to convince them that you need their help. Imiri, don't do this if you aren't going to stick with it, they are very driven individuals and will only take you on if you are serious."

I lost my smile as I looked at him, but my resolve was firm. "I won't think twice about it, I want to be trained no matter how much pain, sweat and blood goes into it. I hate that my life isn't my own anymore and I will fight to get it back Lolek, I won't be pushed around or beaten any longer."

He jumped back a bit as if I had hit him but his hand never left mine. "I can see the changes in you Imiri and I am sorry they have had to come at such a high price, but I promise that I will help you to practice and make sure that anything they have trouble translating comes through correctly. Rest now sweet one, I am going to go return these and have a quick talk with them to see how far into your healing they will start working with you."

He bent close to me and kissed my head, but I wasn't going to have any of that. I reached for his shirt and pressed his lips to mine. I felt euphoria spread over me and I wanted him so bad. My body remembered how sweet he was how he made my heart sing. Even over the months of ignoring him, trying to stay away from the obvious my heart rejoiced at his touch.

After a moment he pulled away from me and the smile on his face lit the room up even more, his green eyes sparkling like emeralds. "Rest now Imiri, there will be plenty of time for us. That is a promise I will keep my dear. I will bring them to you later on today, or maybe first thing tomorrow depending on how rested you are."

I nodded slightly and moved back under the covers before I spoke, more to myself than anyone. "Good because Inara just hit the top of my list."