Page 34 of Mushy Stuff
The other servant comes around the bed to see what the fuss is about and grimaces when she sees it.
I say, “In case you forgot, I’m human. That’s what it does to me. It also makes me feel like crap. Everything hurtsand my head feels like it’s going to split in two. So thanks for that. Also you CHAINED ME TO THE BED!”
I thought yelling would make me feel better, but it just hurts my head. I clutch my temples with both hands.
The servant genuinely looks dismayed. “I’m so sorry, it was our Lord’s orders…I…I had to.” She seems to catch herself though, then she straightens up and says, “How does a nice warm bath sound? I will draw you a bath and use the soaps with a calming scent.”
I gag a little at the thought of anything scented, and it startles both of them. “Do you have any soaps without scents? That will probably be better.”
She gives me a wide-eyed look and says, “Yes, I will go get them.” Then she leaves the room.
She comes back a few minutes later with a small bundle in her hands, and immediately goes into the bathroom. I hear the water start running.
The other servant comes over to the foot of the bed and unlocks the cuff with a key from her pocket. Then she says, “Let’s go to the bathroom so you can relieve yourself.”
By the time I get into the bathroom, the tub is full of unscented bubbles. I have to admit, it looks wonderful. I can just imagine how soothing it will be to soak in it.
I ask them for privacy while I pee and get undressed. I also grab one of my hidden mushrooms and manage tochoke it down. Then I hide the mushrooms Wold left me along with the other mushrooms.
I sigh as I slip into the tub and then I call out to the servants to let them know they can come back in.
They return and help me bathe.
It only takes me a few minutes to realize that the bath was a terrible mistake. I end up getting too hot very quickly, and that triggers my nausea again. We try to hurry to get me out of the bath quickly, but it wasn’t fast enough, and I end up vomiting on the floor next to the tub.
The servants manage to get me dried off and into a nightgown, then they put me back in bed with a chamber pot so I have somewhere to throw up if I need to. After that, they get to work cleaning up the vomit. I drift off to sleep to the sounds of them working.
I’m awoken a little while later by one of the servants. She hands me bread and a glass of water. I sit up and take a fews sips of water first. Once I get those down, I ask, “What time is it?”
She replies, “Mid-afternoon.”
“Mid-afternoon?” I say, completely surprised by how long I’ve slept.
“Yes, mid-afternoon. You were very sick this morning, so we thought it was best to let you sleep. Are you feeling any better?”
I think about it, and my head isn’t hurting as badly and I’m not as nauseous. “I think I’m starting to feel better.”
“I’m glad. We told Lord Varik that you weren’t well, and that you likely would not be able to join him for dinner.”
I watch her for a minute as she straightens some items on a shelf. Finally I say, “You can do that?”
She gives me a slightly confused look, then says, “Do what?”
“You can just tell him that I won’t come to dinner because I don’t feel well? Won’t he be angry?”
“Oh, well in this circumstance we were able to. He would not want you vomiting in front of him,” she says.
Of course it’s just about him. He would hate for me to ruin his night with my disgusting vomiting. As much as I hate throwing up, I think it would be hilarious to vomit on him. Maybe I should try to convince her to let me go to dinner so I can have the chance. I try to sit up to set down my cup of water, and my head starts pounding again.
Ugh…maybe not. I lay back down still holding my cup.
The servant comes over and takes the glass from me, then puts it on the bedside table. She quietly says, “Rest today. Your Guardian’s scent will be worn off of you by tomorrow. You will need your strength to deal with Lord Varik tomorrow night.” She gives me a sad, knowing look.
Oh gods. Tomorrow.
Chapter 27
Nannigoestothehouse in the morning to see what she can find out about Lydia. She is friendly with one of the servants that takes care of Lydia. She gives me strict instructions to stay in her rooms. Before she leaves, she whispers to me that this would be a good time for me to get to know Pampa.
