Page 10 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
“I know,” she said quietly. “And no. Not at all. I’ve seen a lot worse in the childbed.”A lot worse.
“Childbed?”
“I used to be a midwife’s apprentice.”
“Used to?”
“She… died. And I rather lost the taste for it after that.”
“I hope I don’t remind you of it too much.”
“Well, there’s been less screaming so far…”
He did not laugh.
“Does it hurt?” she asked.
“What?”
“Your skin.”
“No.” He paused. “Not right now.”
She thought about asking him to elaborate, but then she remembered his reaction to the mention of her father’s passing, her gratefulness at not having to explain, and his instruction not to talk. She selected one of the milky vials instead, applying it liberally to his skin.
“Talk to me,” he instructed, as her hands moved against his back. “I grow bored of the silence.”
“Very well. What do you like to do for fun?”
“I used to enjoy playing the piano.”
“Used to?”
“I, er… the dexterity in my left hand, it’s not very…” He lifted it up, but only slightly, stuffing it back under the water like it was something to be ashamed of. His tail curved further against his body.
“What about reading?” she continued, scrubbing against the knots in his back, as thoroughly and carefully as she could. His eyes were shut fast, as if he couldn’t bear the contact, but was used to enduring things he hated. “I noticed you had a book—”
“I have some minor vision problems that make it a little taxing after a while.”
She paused, understanding why Mrs Minton had liked the fact that she could read, why he’d listened with such rapt attention the other day.
“Well, anytime you want me to read for you—”
“I’ll ask, because that’s what you’re here for.”
She bristled, biting her cheek. “Of course.”
“Carry on talking. I didn’t tell you to stop.”
She pursed her lips. “Well, whatcanyou do that you enjoy?”
He shrugged, and she noticed how his left side didn’t quite move with his right. “Chess, I suppose.”
“You like chess?”
“Yes. Do you?” His voice twisted with something like a sneer, like there was no way this humble village girl would ever have been taught such a thing.
“I can play.”
