Page 48 of The Eyes of Tamburah
“I have to—”
“Regain your health, I know. Here.” He helped her drink from a cup.
The liquid tasted like green tea, but it had a sharp aftertaste. Alarmed, she sat up. The room spun for a moment, but settled on the man’s wrinkled face.
“You drugged me,” she accused.
“I’mhealingyou.”
A heavy lassitude flowed through her. “I need…”
“To heal, I know. That is what I’m endeavoring to do, dear child.”
“But…”
“You are resisting, I know.”
Unable to fight the drug, she sank back down. “You’re exasperating.”
“I know.”
* * *
The next time she woke, she was allowed to sit up and eat. Shyla fingered the flesh around her right eye. While still bruised, it wasn’t as swollen and her vision was clearer. A prickly stubble met her fingertips when she touched her hair. Tears threatened as a hard knot formed in her throat. Her hair shouldn’t matter to her since she covered her head most of the time anyway, yet it did. The gash on her right leg had been stitched closed. A bandage ringed her left wrist. Other than the deep ache in her muscles and a persistent throbbing in her forehead, she felt fine.
When she finished her meal, Mr. I Know set a tea cup in front of her.
“No thanks,” she said, pushing it back.
“You think I drugged your tea again.”
“Yes.”
“There’s no need for that, dear child. I’ve already drugged your food.”
Outraged, she tossed the fur off of her. “But I’m—”
“Still healing, I know.” He nudged the cup closer. “Drink up before you fall asleep.”
* * *
The third time she woke, she was determined to not eat or drink anything. But this time Mr. I Know wasn’t nearby. Instead Jayden appeared once she stirred.
“How are you feeling?” he asked. He’d exchanged the deacon’s robe with a plain tunic and pants tucked into leather boots. His clean golden brown hair was brushed back away from his face, revealing amber eyes and his true skin color—a light sienna.
“Better.” Surprisingly so.
He cocked his head. “Why don’t you sound happy about that?”
She glared at Mr. I Know, who tended another patient.
Jayden followed her gaze. “Ah. Annoying, but effective. Zhek’s saved lots of people’s lives.”
“He drugged me. Twice.”
“He believes sleep is the best medicine and that patients are too stupid to take that advice so he ensures they do. If it makes you feel any better, Zhek did it to me when the guards broke my ribs and I even knew about his sneaky methods.”
Strangely enough, it did. “How long have I been here?”
