Amazonia (23 page)

“It’s all right, Shale,”
Blake reassured quickly, placing a soothing hand on Shale’s temple to keep
her head still. “You’ve already had it. We gave it to you when you were
still out.”

“You don’t need to have any,”
Appollonia said. “I was just making sure you didn’t want any more. And I
can see that you don’t.”

Shale didn’t calm down,
though she recognised that this was about a lot more than just the drink.
Her mind was reacting to the trauma she’d recently gone through.

“Shh,” Blake said. “We’re
right here, Shale.” She gently stroked her brow. “You’re safe. No one’s
going to hurt you. You’re all right. All of us are all right.” As Shale
started to relax, Blake smiled softly at her. “That’s it, Shale. Shh.
Shh.”

Shale’s eyelids drooped
heavily, but she tried to resist going to sleep.

Again, Blake read her well.
“Don’t fight it, sweetheart. Just close your eyes.”

Blue eyes shut. “Don’t...go.”
The pleading note was evident in Shale’s voice.

“I won’t, love,” Blake
promised. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

AS SHALE SUCCUMBED to sleep,
Kale gave Blake a grateful nod. “You’re so much better at that than I am.”

“You all need to rest as
well,” Appollonia said quietly. “Please make use of the other beds,” she
added, since no one was willing to leave.

“I’ll sit with her,” Blake
said firmly, her gaze never shifting from Shale.

Kale stood, walked around
Shale’s bed, and gripped the next bed’s frame with her hand. “Move out of
the way, Blake,” she said. Once Blake had done so, Kale lifted one end of
the bed, and set it down next to Shale’s. She then repeated the process,
making the bed into a double.

“I’ll have to remember that,”
Appollonia said. “I often have people who won’t leave loved ones.”

Blake touched Kale’s arm
appreciatively. “This is the nicest thing you’ve ever done for me.” She
lay down, clasped Shale’s hand, and was asleep within moments.

Kale draped a blanket over
Blake, and chose to ignore the grin on Amber’s face. She followed Amber to
the remaining bed. “Will you...”

“I’ll let you know when she’s
awake,” Appollonia said.

Kale nodded, and she settled
down beside Amber.

“YOU SURE ARE keeping me
busy, Shale,” Appollonia teased, as she scattered some herbs over the
numerous cuts on Shale’s back. Appollonia knew that this was painful for
Shale—since she had to lie on her front for her back to be treated, and
she didn’t yet have the strength to keep her weight off her broken ribs—so
Appollonia intentionally distracted Shale with her banter, and tried to
keep the mood light. “How many visits is this since you’ve arrived?”

“Lost count,” Shale said
good-naturedly, though her body was tense. “I don’t want you to get
bored.”

Appollonia laughed. “You’ll
soon complain when I run out of remedies.”

Shale’s response was
instantaneous. “Not if it’s that drink.”

Blake chuckled, handing
Appollonia a fresh bandage.

“There must be a way to make
it taste better?” Shale said. “Can’t you mix it with something?”

“I’ve thought of that, but
nothing I’ve tried is strong enough to mask the flavor.” She paused
briefly. “Actually, that’s not true. It did work once, but people
complained it was worse.”

“Worse?” Shale asked
incredulously. “Is that even possible?”

“Apparently so,” Appollonia
said. “You’re healing nicely, Shale.”

“I’ve got a good healer.”

A pleased smile appeared at
the compliment. “I’m still going to charge you the next time you get
injured.”

Shale grinned, then
sniggered. “How much?”

“Depends on the injury,”
Appollonia replied easily. “A wolfskin for a broken bone, a deerskin for
gashes or scrapes.” She shrugged. “It depends what I need at the time.
Blake’s been showing me the bracelet you made her. Maybe I’ll ask for some
jewellery.”

“She has, huh?” Shale gave
Blake a delighted look. “What if I’ve got a mixture of injuries?”

“Then I’ll treat what you can
pay for,” Appollonia said, straight-faced, causing Blake to burst into
laughter.

Shale raised an eyebrow. “I’d
best stock up.”

“Going off your previous
visits, that’s probably a good idea,” Appollonia said.

KALE OPENED HER cabin door,
and gestured for Amber to precede her. She closed it behind herself, and
hovered there for a moment. This was the first time she and Amber had been
alone together since they got back to the village, and Kale was somewhat
unsure as to what was expected. It had been a long time since she’d been
involved with anyone.

They had chosen Kale’s cabin
because it was closer to Appollonia’s lodge, and Kale wanted to be nearby
in case Shale needed her for anything. Amber didn’t mind, she seemed
pleased by Kale’s thoughtfulness.

“I’m grateful you stayed with
me the last couple of days, Amber. I know it was tough.”

“No problem. I’m just glad
Shale’s going to be all right.”

Kale sat next to her on the
bed. “She’s strong,” she said, with more than a hint of pride in her
voice.

“She certainly is.”

“I don’t know what I’d have
done if...” Kale shook her head, unable to finish.

“She’s fine,” Amber reassured
gently, winding an arm around Kale’s back and gripping her shoulder.
“Don’t think like that, Kale, you’ll just upset yourself.”

“You’re right.” She took a
deep breath, and let it out slowly. “Are you hungry? I could rustle us up
some food.”

“I’m too tired to eat,” Amber
said with a smile. “And I promised Appollonia you’d get some rest. I
always keep my promises.”

“Well I’m hardly in a
condition to resist, so please, take me to bed.” Kale held out her hand.

Amber pulled Kale to her
feet, and they came chest to chest with each other. “I thought you’d never
ask.”

Kale chuckled. She let go of
Amber’s hand, and wrapped her arms around the slim waist. She was mindful
of her wrist, but she managed. The splint Appollonia had fitted was a lot
less cumbersome, and didn’t restrict her too much.

“You do realise that the
first time we met, you beat me up,” Amber teased, returning Kale’s
embrace. “Who knew it would turn out like this?”

Kale laughed loudly. “I am
sorry about that.” She grinned impishly. “But you should have ducked.”

Amber scowled playfully.
“I’ll remember that for next time.”

“You do that,” Kale said. She
placed her hand on Amber’s cheek, suddenly growing serious. She opened her
mouth to speak, then shut it again.

“What?” Amber waited for
several moments. Seeing Kale’s hesitation, she added, “You can tell me,
Kale. Anything.”

That encouragement was all
Kale needed, and she nodded. “You do know that I love you?”

Amber smiled warmly. “And I
love you.”

Kale’s eyes sparkled with joy
at her words.

“What brought that on?”

“Shale told me a while ago
that I’m too hard.” Her fingers covered Amber’s mouth to forestall the
protest. “She was right. I need to let people in. I want you to be the
first, Amber.”

“I’d be honored, Kale.”

Kale grinned. “So, about that
kiss?”

“DO YOU KNOW how embarrassing
this is?” Shale grumbled, as she was carried across the village on a
pallet, Aris at one end, Amber the other. She was now well enough to leave
the healer’s lodge, and wanted to return to the comfort of her own home.
Appollonia said she would call in on them to give Shale her treatment, so
she wouldn’t have to be constantly moved. It was a good thing too, because
Shale had no intention of repeating this humiliating process. “I don’t
know why you wouldn’t just let me walk.”

“Hush.” Blake wore an amused
look on her face.

“You would have collapsed as
soon as you got out the door,” Kale said.

Shale frowned, and crossed
her arms over her chest. She didn’t dispute it though. She was still weak,
her body taking longer than she would have liked to recover.

Blake grinned down at her,
and Shale felt a smile of her own forming. She couldn’t stay annoyed for
long when Blake was around.

Shale was soon settled in her
own bed, and despite her complaints, she thanked them profusely for their
help.

“You’re welcome,” Aris said.
She looked to each of the twins. “Hurry up and get well, the training
ground is too quiet without you.”

They smiled at her. “Will
do,” they replied together.

Aris chuckled, hefted the
pallet, and turned to Amber. “Shall we?”

Amber nodded, gave Kale a quick
kiss, then followed Aris out of the cabin. “Some of us have to train. We
can’t all be lazy,” Amber called teasingly over her shoulder.

Kale snorted and shook her
head. “Some of us have to train more than others.”

Even from her position on the
bed, Shale heard Amber’s indignant cry of protest, and she chuckled. Shale
slowly sat up with Blake’s help, and was propped upright.

Blake pushed dark hair back,
off Shale’s face. “All right?”

Shale took a moment to gather
herself, her ribs were extremely tender. Then she tipped her head to
Blake, giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s good to be home.”

Blake kissed her lovingly.
“It is, isn’t it?”

Shale sighed happily, and
glanced around their cabin. “So, did you enjoy the walk?” At their blank
stares, she added, “To the waterfall?”

“In all the chaos, I’d
forgotten all about it,” Kale said. “Yes. It’s lovely up there.”

Blake nodded her agreement.
“We’ll take you when you’re better.”

Shale’s smile widened. “I’d
like that.”

“Oh, I meant to tell you, Blake’s
been causing trouble,” Kale said teasingly.

“Me? What did I do?”

“You showed all the warriors
up,” Kale said with a grin. She glanced to Shale. “When we were searching
for you, Blake kept ahead of most of the warriors. She put them all to
shame.”

Shale raised an eyebrow to
Blake, impressed. “That doesn’t surprise me, I already know she’s got
great stamina.” She winked at Blake.

Kale laughed, and Blake
blushed, burying her face in Shale’s shoulder.

“I’m still amazed you managed
to stay on the horse,” Shale said.

“I had a great teacher,”
Blake said. She lowered her voice so only Shale could hear. “Though I
prefer riding you.” She giggled as Shale flushed hotly, and Blake pressed
her lips to her neck.

Shale saw that Kale was about
to ask why she was bright red, and quickly thought of something to divert
her attention. “You do realise I win on battle wounds now, too?”

Kale frowned in mock
annoyance. “I know. Are you going to leave anything for me?”

“No,” Shale said, grinning.

“I can’t possibly beat that
either, I’d have to be dead,” Kale said.

Blake chuckled. “You compete
over the strangest things.”

SHALE WAS DOZING lightly in
Blake’s arms, curled against her side. Her head rested on Blake’s chest,
and she looked up as she felt Blake’s breathing hitch underneath her. She
was alarmed to find Blake crying softly, and Shale reached up and cupped
her face. “Blake, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“I was so s...scared, Shale,”
Blake said. “Of losing you.”

“You’ll never lose me,” Shale
promised. “I’m fine. Thanks to you. Thank you for rescuing me.”

The corner of Blake’s mouth
curled up. “Kale and the warriors did most of it.”

“The fighting maybe, but you
had the hardest job.”

Blake raised a questioning
brow. “I did?”

“You had to keep Kale in
line,” Shale said, only half joking. It had the desired effect, and Blake
chuckled. “I know what she’s like. I’m guessing it was you and Amber who
kept her in line?” She didn’t wait for an answer, and kissed Blake’s tears
away. “So thank you.”

Blake produced a tremulous
smile.

“I can only imagine how
difficult it must have been for you, Blake.” Shale gave her a sympathetic
look. “I know if it had been you who had been taken...” She shook her head
sadly, not even able to finish the sentence. “I’m sorry you had to go
through that.” Shale nuzzled into her, hugging Blake close, giving her as
much comfort as she could. “I’m here, Blake. I’m not going anywhere.”

Blake’s arms tightened around
Shale, and when she spoke, her voice was exceptionally gentle. “Shale?”
She waited until Shale looked up, as if wanting the eye contact. “They
didn’t hurt you in any other way, did they?”

Shale knew what Blake was
asking. “No. The man with the pail...Theodysius,” Her nose scrunched up.
“He was going to, but you took care of him.”

Blake released a heavy sigh
of relief.

Shale smiled at her. “My
hero.”

A shy grin appeared on
Blake’s face. “A princess and a hero? Careful, I’ll get a big head.”

“Not with Kale around you
won’t,” Shale said dryly. “She’ll soon put you in your place.”

Blake giggled. “I don’t doubt
it. That reminds me, I asked Kale if she felt any different now that
Theron’s gone. She said she didn’t, but I wanted to check with you since I
know you’re more sensitive than she is.”

“I don’t feel any different
either,” Shale replied. She shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense,
Kale and I were clearly linked to him. The mystic was right about that.”

“I’m just glad she was wrong
about you dying if they did.”

Shale’s eyes widened in
sudden understanding. “She wasn’t wrong. We were!” She sat up excitedly,
clutching at her ribs as they protested painfully.

“Hey. Easy,” Blake said. She
sat up, too, placing herself in front of Shale. “What do you mean?”

“Where one will be, the other
will follow. When one is seriously hurt, the other will pay the price,”
Shale said, quoting the mystic’s saying.

Blake gave her a blank look.

“When one is seriously hurt.”
Shale pointed to herself. “The other will pay the price—that’s Theron. She
was telling us what would happen. We just misinterpreted it.”