Mica (17 page)

Sun gave him as much white willow as she dared, fearful such massive amounts would eventually harm his stomach. She prepared the herb and helped him to sit up, difficult while in the midst of an attack. He was much bigger than she was. In spite of his state of obvious exhaustion he possessed little control over his body when gripped by such violent tremors. The change of position dragged a whimper from his throat.

“I wish it would stop,” he moaned. Sun doubted he even realized he spoke. For the past several hours he’d been in a semiconscious state either engulfed by an attack or resting death-like in an attempt to garner strength for the next bout. Each attack grew in intensity until Sun wondered if the next might kill him.

“So cold,” he murmured. While adjusting his blanket, her hand brushed his. It felt icy in spite of the heat emanating from the rest of his body.

“I’ll get you another blanket.” Sun rested her hand on his shoulder. She took her blanket and covered him with it, tempted to share it with him since the temperature in the cave had dropped in the frigid desert night. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea. Her body heat might help his chills and at least she wouldn’t freeze too. Resting beside him, she draped the blanket over them. His entire body trembled against hers but he edged closer to her, seeking her warmth. Dropping his head to her shoulder, he draped an arm around her waist. Unable to stop herself she held him close, stroking his shoulders and back. She spoke to him softly, attempting to comfort him with her voice and her touch.

Sun knew she was lost. Anger and hatred of him were now a foreign thing. As much as she’d once wanted him dead she now wanted him cured. She wanted back the man who had made love with her, the one with humor glistening in his eyes and the silly yet arousing grin on his lips.

Eventually his tremors lessened. Her hand strayed to the back of his neck and slipped beneath his hair. Finally his shaking stopped altogether and he slept, his body so close to hers that their hearts beat in unison.

Hours dragged by while Sun prayed that bout had been the last.

Outside dawn broke and she finally relaxed. Three hours had certainly gone by.
They’d survived the night. According to Blaze, Mica should have no more attacks—at least for a while. Drifting to sleep, she hoped Milady and Valor would return with the portia, giving at least the chance that Mica could be cured of this horrible disease.

* * * * *

Sun awoke to Mica shifting position beside her. She sat up, the blanket falling from her shoulder.

“Are you all right?” she asked. “Do you need another blanket?”

“No.” One hand braced against the cave wall he stood and paused a moment as if the simple motion tired him. “I just need to go outside.”

The cave was cool but no longer cold. Sunlight shone through the jagged mouth.

She rose and touched his arm. “Let me help you.”

Offering his familiar smile, he patted her hand. “Thank you, Dame Sun, but some things a man needs to do on his own.”

She couldn’t help respecting him for keeping a sense of humor when he must have felt awful.

“When you come back we can have something to eat.”

He shook his head, his lip curling as if the idea of food made him ill. “I can’t. Not right now.”

Sun watched, resisting the urge to follow as he left the cave to relieve himself. Part of her feared he’d die where he stood.

She removed some bread and fruit from her saddlebag and munched while staring at their sleeping space. She longed for the day when they would sleep together again—

this time for pleasure. By the Spirit when had she decided to make love with him again?

Would he want to after what she’d done? Most likely. He made it clear he still enjoyed her company.

Mica stepped into the cave, his movements slower than usual. Though still haggard, his face wasn’t corpse-like as it had been the day before. He walked to his saddle and stooped to pick it up.

“What the hell are you doing?” Sun demanded.

“We have to move. Enough time has been wasted.”

“We’re not going anywhere.” She yanked the saddle from his hands and grasped his wrist, dragging him toward the blankets. “Do you want to get sick again?”

“I don’t matter. Ademene—”

“Blaze has gone to the settlement and then to Ademene.”

“I’m grateful for what he’s done but—”

“But nothing. He said you’re to rest for two days.”

Mica shook his head. “That’s a luxury I can’t afford.”
“You’d last about ten minutes out there. Look, you can hardly stand now.” Sun pushed him toward the sleeping space.

This time he didn’t resist but settled onto the blanket, his eyes half closed. “We’ll start in a few hours.”

“You’re not going anywhere today or tomorrow.” She sat beside him, cupping his cheek in her hand.

Mica tilted his face against her palm and she guessed he liked her touch as much as she liked touching him. His jaw was slightly stubbled from the night’s growth of beard.

It felt rough and pleasant against her hand. His blue eyes lost focus and his breathing deepened.

“I know you’re not strong enough to travel.”

“What makes you say that?” he murmured.

“Because you’re not arguing with me right now.”

His lips curved upward the slightest bit before he closed his eyes completely. Still a little groggy, Sun curled up beside him, her hand resting against his chest. His body felt warm through his clothing but not feverish. She slowly stroked his hard chest, enjoying the beating of his heart against her palm. As Blaze suggested he probably just needed time to recuperate.

Mica’s arm slipped around her. He pressed her close and spoke in a drowsy whisper, “Why are you being nice?”

She raised her head from his shoulder, not bothering to keep the irritation from her voice and snapped, “Excuse me?”

“I said why are you being so nice to me?”

“Was I supposed to leave you dying on the sand and ride away?”

A quirky smile touched his lips then faded. “I thought you might have. It’s not like I haven’t been alone when attacks have occurred.”

Sun’s belly twisted at the thought. “Then you’re lucky you didn’t die. I still can’t believe your father stuck you in a prison so filthy you got this disease.”

“I was a traitor.”

“You did what was right. He was the traitor to humankind.”

“He didn’t care about people any more than the false emperor did. There was a time when I didn’t either, Sun. I did exactly what he ordered.”

“You were raised to follow him.”

He laughed. “I never thought you’d make excuses for me.”

“It’s not an excuse. It’s the truth.”

“I should have rebelled sooner. When I think of all the lives I helped destroy—”

“Now you think you have to pay for it by giving up your manhood.”

“Back to the Priesthood again? Our ritual really bothers you, doesn’t it?”
“Mica, cutting off your balls won’t change the past.”

“I’m not trying to change the past. I’m a Priest in Waiting. It’s an honor.”

“An honor.” She sat up, her fingers tightening on the front of his robe. “What if you decide you want children one day? How can you give that up?”

“You’ve taken vows, Dame Sun. Are they for no reason?”

“That’s different.”

“You said yourself Dames take a vow of chastity.” His eyes opened and a smirk played around his lips.

“Abstinence until after marriage.”

“Not that you seem to care much about that.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Not in the least. I’ve never felt such sweet lips on my cock as when we made love that night. It was almost worth the pain of your rejection.”

“Right,” she scoffed. “You didn’t seem to be hurt by it.”

His eyes slipped shut and he paused for so long she thought he might have fallen asleep.

“It did hurt, Dame Sun. If you must know you’re the only woman I’ve been with since before my imprisonment. You’re the only woman who has aroused me enough.

Until you I thought I would never again know how it felt to be a man.”

His words made her tingle. “Then how can you possibly give up your manhood?”

“There is more to being a man than the ability to make love and create babies.

Besides there is no rule that says Priests can’t marry.”

“Your ritual would make for a difficult wedding night.”

“I don’t see why you’re so concerned with my decision or with me for that matter.”

“Because I think I care for you.” Her heart pounded at what she’d just admitted.

“Think.” He cupped her face in his hand, his thumb stroking her cheek. “You think?”

“I do care for you, Mica. Very much.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re…” By the Spirit, the man confused her.

“I’m sorry I made love with you. I’m sorry I want to kiss you right now, sick and all. I’m sorry you care for someone who probably won’t last another year. I was so damn selfish again. I want to be a Priest. I know you’re a Dame but I couldn’t help desiring you. I thought after that night we’d never see each other again, that I could carry on with the beautiful memory of making love with you. For the past five years the only comfort I’ve had is knowing the last bout of my disease will be a little better than the next. It will kill me one of these times, Sun, and I never should have flirted with you even for amusement.”
“Mica, you’re talking like you’re already dead.”

“I am.”

“We all are.” She grasped his wrists, her gaze fixed on his. “Any of us could die at any time. And you won’t necessarily die from bog tremors.” He shook his head and started to protest, but she continued, “Blaze knows of a treatment, a cure even. It’s an herb called portia.”

Mica’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“It grows in the north. Valor said the Nalmites of the Unownland have access to it.

He and Milady have gone to their homeland and promised to send some back to us.”

Mica drew an unsteady breath. “This can’t be true.”

“I won’t lie to you. Blaze said unless the treatment is given within the first year of catching the disease it might not work but there is a chance, Mica.”

His eyes glistened with hope. “That’s more than I’ve had until now.”

“So you have to rest and recover. When Valor and Milady return with the portia Blaze can begin treating you.”

Mica shook his head. “I meant it when I said I don’t have the luxury of time. I will not put my personal needs above the people of the Kennas. Not again. If we’re at war my place is in the heart of it.”

“We can talk about it later.” Sun brushed a kiss across his mouth.

He tugged her to his shoulder. “At least for today.”

“And tomorrow.”

“We’ll see about that.” He squeezed her tighter.

Within moments she knew by the sound of his breathing he was asleep.

* * * * *

Sun awoke an hour later. Careful not to disturb Mica, she slipped from his arms and stood, stretching. After checking the horses, she walked to a corner of the cave and undressed to her loincloth and vest. Using some of her precious water, she washed.

Her skin prickled, an odd sensation washing over her. She reached for her clothes.

Before she could step into her trousers three men, sand sticking to their perspiring faces, entered the cave. They grinned, staring at her long, sleek legs and ample cleavage.

Though their accent was different from the people of Ademene she understood their comments.

“Looks like we picked the right cave,” the tallest man removed his robe, exposing a well-muscled body beneath.

Laughing, his companions did the same. They looked strong as well. One had a jagged scar above his eye, the other was bald and bearded.

“Don’t waste your time with that.” One of the men pointed the tip of a curved
sword at the trousers Sun yanked on.

“Don’t waste your time making yourselves comfortable,” she stated, reaching for her sword.

“She’s going to put up a fight.” The tall man rubbed his hands together. “Good. I like it better when they struggle.”

Sun’s stomach tightened with rage.
This bastard is going to eat his own cock.

“Glad to hear it,” she snapped.

“Eh.” The scarred one nodded at Mica who was still deeply asleep. “Isn’t he the traitor from Ademene?”

The bald man raised an eyebrow. “I thought he’d be dead by now. Heard he was rotting from bog tremors.”

The tall man stepped closer to Mica. “That’s him.” He unsheathed the sword.

“Karlus will love me to bring him his head on a pole.”

Sun positioned herself between the men and Mica.

“Out of my way, wench.” The tall one reached for her arm just as the ball of her bare foot struck between his legs. He cursed, loosening the grip on his sword. Sun knocked the blade from his hand. Shouting, the other men attacked.

Mica awakened and leapt to his feet. “What the hell—”

“Stay behind me, Mica,” she ordered.

“Stay be—” Mica ducked as she spun, her blade blocking the sword thrust aimed at his head. Mica kicked the scarred man’s feet out from under him. With a grunt he landed on his back.

From the corner of her eye Sun observed Mica wrestling the weapon from his adversary’s grip.

She blocked an overhead strike from one side and shifted her stance, avoiding a blade thrust from the other. The tall man tugged a dagger from his belt and flung it. Sun turned her head and the blade whizzed by. A warm trickle of blood ran from her stinging ear down her neck. Her teeth grinding with rage, she knocked the blade from her opponent’s hand. Wielding both swords, she met her attackers with a vengeance.

Within moments one lay dead on the cave floor but the tall man escaped.

Sun hesitated, making certain Mica had the advantage over his opponent before she chased her adversary. Outside the man had already leapt onto his horse and was galloping across the desert. Not bothering with tack, Sun mounted her stallion bareback, her fingers clutching his mane as she guided him with her knees and voice alone.

If her guess was right the men belonged to the rebel group that had destroyed the village on the oasis. They had called Mica a traitor and would tell their companions where to find him. She couldn’t risk having their enemies discover them before they reached Ademene.