Page 27 of Marked for Vengeance
She gestured to the vial she wanted. It was a mild pain killer that wouldn’t muddle her mind too much. Even after her wounds were closed, her hands ached and tingled. New skin always did that, and she wouldn’t be able to keep a tight grip on anything for at least a day.
When he was done treating her, he lifted her hands one at a time and gently kissed each finger followed by her palm. “I don’t like that you were hurt trying to help me.”
She leaned forward and kissed his still-swollen lips. “Right back at you.”
“Let’s get out of here. I have a good idea where we are now. There’s a place we can rest about an hour’s walk away. I’ve never seen one of the boomers before, so it should be safe.”
She got to her feet, wincing as the newly healed skin on her legs pulled a bit. “That’s good. But if we run across another one, we’ll take it down together.”
“Together,” he agreed.
13
Vengeance had only foundthis place by chance, and he didn’t get to visit often. It was too far away from his favored hunting grounds, but he liked it enough to come back now and then.
“Another waterfall? Aren’t you tired of them after today?” Loris asked.
“This is only a tiny one,” he said. “Please note the complete lack of boomers, black fangs, and anything else that might want to kill us.”
“That is an improvement.” Loris sighed tiredly. “And I could use a rest.”
“So could I. In fact, I think we should plan to stay the night here. I’ve done it before. I even built a platform up in that tree.”
She pretended to scowl. “Does this mean you’re going to carry me again?
He managed not to grin as they fell into the now familiar pattern of teasing banter. “No need. It’s got a ladder.”
“This sounds better all the time. Show me?”
He shook his head. “First, we’re going to get cleaned up.”
She groaned. “More water?”
“Yes. But this water is warm. There’s a hot spring nearby. I haven’t found it yet, but enough of the hot water feeds into the stream to keep it a comfortable temperature.”
“Warm water is a definite improvement. Tell me more.”
He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “I have soap in my bag.”
She laughed in delight. “I’m sold on this idea. Bring on bath time!”
He led her to the water’s edge and watched as she stripped off her clothes. The pants were in tatters, and blood stained her shirt. He’d have to ask Bysshe to make some new clothes for her. He had no idea what she’d want, but she’d only need them for the times they left his house. The rest of the time, he hoped she’d stay naked.
The soap was something they’d learned to make early in their time here. In the beginning they stayed inside the hull of their crashed ship. Sensitive noses and close quarters made cleanliness a requirement, especially for a group of males who could barely tolerate each other’s company for more than a few hours at a time.
He handed Loris a small cake of soap. “I’ll join you in a minute.”
She nodded and stepped into the warm, welcoming waters. “Ooh, this is nice. I might float here for the next hour or so.”
“I’ve done that before. It’s so restful here I almost dozed off while I drifted around.”
He set his sword near the water’s edge and then took off everything he’d been wearing for the last few days. All of it went into the water. The leather was already wet, so another soakingwouldn’t hurt. He used small handfuls of sand along with the soap to clean away the blood and dirt, and set it on some rocks to dry.
Then he sank into the heated water, letting it lap around his shoulders as he watched his mate scrub herself clean.
When she reached up to wash her hair, he moved to join her. “Let me.”
She handed him the soap with a flourish. “Yes please.”
