Morning Diamond

Tender Captives

Claire woke in the darkness, her head throbbing. She tried to move, but cried out when excruciating pain radiated through her head and side. Her arm hung limp at her side, and her legs felt numb. A hand softly smoothed back her hair. The touch light as it slowly, comfortingly slid across her forehead. Oddly the throbbing seemed to brush away with each soft caress. After a few strokes he left her side to strike a match and light a single candle. Though it offered little light, it was enough to see the comforting grey in Mike's eyes when he returned to her side.

"Don't move! For the love, please stay still." The distress in Mike's voice stilled her. She concentrated on his warmth of his breath as it brushed her cheek. Had it not been for the pain, she would have welcomed his closeness with enthusiasm.

"You have several broken ribs, your arm is broke, and your legs are badly mangled. Not to mention you took several bad blows to the head; your face is not recognizable and I believe you are black and blue from head to toe." His voice was gentle, but the irritation and anger grew with every word.

"Mike? What happened?" She felt weak and her whole body screamed in protest from the effort of talking and breathing.

"'You decided to take Leishmann on by yourself." He stated, emotionless. "Not a smart move, C. He doesn't take defiance well, and he doesn't care if you are female and half his size. He will beat you into submission." Was he chastising her?

"He has spent a lifetime specializing in torturing people. He can and will beat you within an inch of your life, heal you, and start all over just for the fun of it." His voice was hard and an eerie stillness fell between them. After several minutes of uncomfortable silence, she heard him sigh.

"You shouldn't have attacked him the first time; a good warrior should learn what they can about the enemy before they attack. You should have found out what he wanted before getting yourself beaten to a bloody pulp!" This time his breath left him in a frustrated huff.

"How do you know I attacked him?" There were a thousand other questions running through her mind, but this was the only one to find a voice.

"Webster filled me in on the details when he brought in cleaning rags and fresh water." Of course, Leishmann's servant.

"I remember attacking the first time....he pushed me and I bumped my head. I would gladly do it again." Her voice was firm with conviction and despite the pain she felt she knew they were true. She would fight him a thousand times despite the consequences if only to feel the satisfaction of feeling his bones break under her fist.

"He killed Keith," she said, her voice breaking. She had to take a moment to compose herself before continuing. "And I don't know what has happened to Mark. He could be dead or captured?" The latter gave her to hope.

"Calm yourself, C. You need to rest. Your body has gone through too much as it is, if you get yourself worked up right now you'll go into shock." She felt his damp fingers softly glide over her cheek. Her jaw. Her lips. Everywhere he touched he soothed the pain away.

"They are both dead aren't they? You're afraid to tell me." Tears streamed down her face and a severe sense of loss welled inside her. She attempted to turn away from Mike to hide her grief and agony from him. Beside her she heard as well as felt Mike sigh.

"C, listen closely to me. Look at me." He clasped her chin and gently moved her face in his direction. "I am going to tell you something and I need you to trust me that it is the truth. I don't want to answer any questions tonight because you are too weak to understand the answers. Do you understand me?" Claire nodded.

"Neither of your brothers are dead!" Claire stared at Mike for several moments. He watched her intently waiting for his words to sink in. When they finally registered she opened her mouth, a swarm of questions ready to be asked. Mike covered her mouth to stop the onslaught. "I said no questions." After a moment he removed his hand then began his administrations with the tingling liquid. He gently touched her face, down her neck and over her collarbone.

"You need to rest, C. Leishmann is taking the army back to Danyon, then on to his castle. It will be a long trip and you're going to need all the rest you can get tonight." His fingers trailed over her arm. Slowly the pain eased and her mind began to clear. Though she was dying to ask about her brothers, she forced herself travel down a different road of conversation.

"He's taking me back into Danyon? I didn't expect that. I thought for sure he would kill me!" Mike gave her a disapproving look, silently telling her he didn't want her talking at all in her state, but then he patiently placed a light kiss on her forehead.

"He nearly did!" His fingers were gone again. Mentally she begged him not to stop touching her. Whatever he was spreading over her skin felt marvelous, and there were still so many places she hurt. "He has other plans for you. I am not sure what they are, but I can assure you death is not in those plans; especially not in Tyrell. There are serious consequences when someone is killed outside their own world. It upsets the balance of the universe. If certain measures are not taken immediately to correct the balance it could destroy everything. Before you ask, yes that's how I know your brother's are both still alive." His voice suddenly sounded drained, almost defeated.

"How do you know so much?" She heard a bitter laugh.

"I'm a smart man." It was a simple answer, but didn't really answer her question. "No more questions. I'll explain more when you're rested and feeling better." She had a million she wanted to ask, but he was right she could feel the weariness snaking its way through her body.

"Why are we together? I thought armies kept prisoners separate so they can't plan great escapes?" She felt his hands shake from his chuckles.

"I don't think they have anything to worry about. You aren't well enough to go anywhere and I wouldn't be able to either...yet!" There was a conviction in his voice; an irony she didn't quite understand.

Their conversation helped her remember his injuries. "I saw the blood on your shoulder, have they been horrible to you?" She attempted to move her hand to take his, but the pain was too much and she inhaled sharply. He instantly responded. Running his wet fingers down her arm once more, but this time he kept going and took her hand.

"I am so sorry you got caught up in this. I never would have let you come over that night if I had known about any of this." His lips brushed softly over her brow, the side of her eye, the tip of her nose. She wanted him to continue the exploration, but he pulled back.

"C, do not worry about me. We have bigger things to think about." She felt his fingers leaving damp trails over her skin again. "You need to get some rest. We can talk more in the morning." She felt an exhaustion spread throughout her now that her aches felt lighter, bearable.

"C, this is going to hurt a little, but I need you to lift your head." His hand made its way to the back of her neck. He supported her as she slowly did as he asked. "Drink this. It will be bitter, but the broth has intense healing powers." He encouraged. She felt the cool cup touch her swollen lips. She tried not to recoil as the nasty juice burned the cuts inside her cheek and ran down her throat.

"That stuff is gross!" She claimed and he chuckled.

"Not my favorite bedtime drink either." He helped return her head to the rough pillow then continued trailing his damp fingers over her skin.

"Mike, stay with me." She moved her hand again, searching for his. Instantly he took hold of it.

"Nothing could pull me from your side." He kissed her forehead again. "I'll be here when you wake, I promise. The herbs in that broth are a strong medicine, but to be the most effective you need to sleep while it heals your body. Tomorrow you will be better." She knew enough from her anatomy courses in school to know it would take more than one night for her injuries to heal. She wanted to tell him so, but she couldn't make her mouth move. Her body began to tingle and a weariness like nothing she had ever experienced spread through her. Within minutes she fell fast asleep.  

They let them be together.  She was worried about nursing him back to health, but it turns out he gets to do the honors.  Is your heart twisting?