Savior (3 page)

              “Those look painful,” Marcus said while trying to hide his pity.

              “They are.”

              He nodded and produced a small bottle and some pieces of white cloth from a leather bag.

              “Would you like some help with them?”

              She looked up at him quizzically and then nodded. “Where do you want me?” she asked shyly.

              “Lie down on your back please.”

              She nodded and did so. Alyssa shut her eyes tightly as she heard him kneel next her. Ruben’s face flashed before her eyes and her stomach tightened into a knot as her pulse quickened. Alyssa held her breath and whimpered softly as his fingers went to the hem of the dress and began pulling it up her calves. “I have no intention of hurting you now or ever Alyssa. Please try to trust me,” Marcus said as he rested a steady hand on her calf.

              She didn’t trust his words but as she watched his face she found herself almost wanting to. But only almost. He was a man, and like all men he could not be trusted. Instead of giving in to the herbal salve and his gentle massage on her ankles she chose to resist him. Alyssa stared coldly at him as he worked the warm cream over her skin. He wrapped each of her ankles with a length of cloth and moved to her wrists. Of all her wounds these were the most painful.

              Although his touch was gentle, tears still fell from her eyes. He wrapped her wrists and the moved to her neck. His fingers lingered on her bare arm as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes. She felt herself wanting to be near him and to let him into her heart but she quickly silenced the urge. His fingers went to her neck and brushed the curls away. His touch was cool on her skin and again she found herself wanting to be with him. Alyssa turned her head to the side and her whole body trembled as

              Marcus's fingers grazed the worst of her injuries.

              “Is this a bite mark?” he asked in disgust as he continued to trace the edges of the open sore.

              “Yes.”

              “Did an animal give it to you?” She shook her head no. “What else could have done such a terrible thing?”

              She closed her eyes tightly against the memories that were threatening to overcome her.

              “Ruben,” she whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks and onto the grass. Marcus nodded and picked up the last strip of cloth.

              “Please no,” she whispered as her body started shaking.

              “What?”

              “I don’t like anything around my neck,” she explained as he dabbed some more salve onto the tender flesh. He nodded and wiped his hands off on the cloth.

              “You should be all better in a few days,” Marcus assured.

              She allowed the faintest traces of a smile to cross her lips. “Thank you.”

              He nodded and stood. “Would you like to come back inside?”

              “May I stay out here instead?”

              He smiled at her. “Of course. I will be in the cabin if you need anything.” She nodded and smiled back at him.

              “Thank you Marcus.”

              He nodded and walked out of the clearing. She watched him go and then gazed up at the stars until dawn swept them from her view.

              As the sun rose so did Alyssa. Dew lay in a glistening blanket over the grass and bright green leaves. She heard a river’s gurgle and quickly walked to it. The trees were thick and the feeling of being watched quickly came back to her. She brushed it off and continued walking. A beautiful white stallion had his back to her as he sipped from the clear water. Alyssa walked slowly so as not to startle him. He was the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. His coat glistened like moonlight and his long mane and tail were the color of fresh snow. Her brief encounters with Ruben’s horses had left her timid and nervous around them. “Hello,” she said to him as she moved closer.

              He looked up at her and licked the remaining drops of water from his lips. “Hello.” He paused.

              “Now why did I just do that? It’s not like anyone but the dragon can understand us horses anyway.”

              “I can,” she said as she sat down next to him on the riverbank.

              “You can?” She nodded and smiled up into his brown eyes. “How?”

              “I can understand all creatures.”

              The stallion neighed happily. “I’m Luca.”

              She smiled at him. “I’m Alyssa.” She dipped a toe into the river and giggled. “Would you mind if

              I went for a little swim?”

              He laughed. “Why would I?”

              She blushed and looked away modestly. “I wasn’t going to have this dress on.”

              Luca almost fell over laughing. “You two-leggeds are funny. Do I have clothes on?” She shook               her head no. “So why would I mind if you do or not?”

              She giggled and stood up. Within minutes the dress lay neatly in the grass and she was up to her               waist in the river. The cool water swirled around her body as she submerged herself up to her neck. She               swam over to Luca and splashed him playfully with water. He shook off quickly and reared as he laughed.

              “Oh yeah?” he grinned.

              She smiled back at him. “Yep.”

              He leapt into the river and drenched her in a wave of water. She swam between his legs, her wings held tightly against her back. She smiled at his velvety side as they danced together through the clear blue paradise. Alyssa playfully gripped one of his front legs and twisted her body under his.

              Luca crashed sideways into the river in a rush of water and thrashing legs. She swam to the surface as Luca recovered and shook out his white coat. He smiled at her and used his big head to push her backwards into the water. She toppled in and then came up with her back to him.

              Alyssa ran her hands through her long hair and over her muscular stomach. The water barely               came up to her mid-thigh and she giggled as it swirled around her. She looked up and instantly froze. Her blood ran cold and her muscles shook with fear.

              Marcus stared back at her, his eyes a reflection of her own shock. Her body suddenly went limp and she fell to her knees in the water. Her arms went to her chest and she started shaking.

              “Marcus!” she yelped. He turned his back to her and blushed deeply.

              “I did not mean to spy,” he called to her over his shoulder. “Solara said you were by the river and I did not expect you to be like you are now.”

              She rose to her feet in the water and waved to Luca as he disappeared into the forest. “Is there something you wanted Marcus?”

              “The stores in town will be opening soon and I wanted to make sure we were there early to avoid the crowds. So if you would please get dressed we can get going.” She nodded slowly and walked out of the water. Her body dried quickly in the rising sun. Alyssa slipped the dress over her head and walked to him.

              “Marcus?” she said as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

              “Is it safe?”

              She giggled. “Yes, you may look now.” He opened his eyes and smiled at her. “May I ask a favor?” He nodded and she turned around so that her back was to him. “Lace me up?”

              He chuckled. “Sure. What did you do about the laces yesterday?” he asked as his fingers began               expertly pulling at the cords.

              “I didn’t bother with them,” she said as his fingers moved over the bare skin of her back. She tickled his nose with the tip of her wing playfully. He laughed and pushed it aside as he finished. His hands lingered on her skin though but instead of the familiar knot, thousands of butterflies flew around in her stomach.

              “Are you married?” She asked as he pulled away and she ran her hands over his work.

              His voice became quieter and she realized she had touched a nerve. “No, I’m not.”

              Her curiosity persisted despite her better judgment. “Do you have a daughter?”

              “No.”

              “Then how are you so good at lacing up dresses?”

              He began walking to the gate. “We should hurry; the shops should already be opening.”

              “Is the town far?” Alyssa asked as she struggled to keep up.

              “Not far enough,” he said as they passed through the gate. It closed behind them and he started walking even faster.

              “How long will it take us to get there?”

              He glared at her. “Don’t you ever stop asking questions?” As Marcus spoke the words he instantly regretted them. Tears swelled in her eyes and she looked away.

              “I am sorry sir, I have forgotten my place,” she said as they started walking on an old beaten path.

              She slowed her place so that she was two steps behind him. Marcus tried slowing down to walk beside her but as he did, she increased the gap. He sighed and continued walking toward town.

              “Alyssa?” he asked quietly.

              “Yes sir?”

              “Marcus, please.”

              She nodded. “Yes Marcus?”

              “At the river...” Her stomach tightened into a knot as he spoke. “I noticed that you have a small mark on your stomach.”

              Her body tensed angrily. “Don’t mention my stomach ever again,” she growled.

              Marcus was visibly stunned. “What?”

              “If you have your secrets I feel no need to tell you mine,” she said with venom. Her anger could have meant a beating, but it didn’t matter. He had crossed a line that even Ruben had learned to leave alone.

              “You had two marks on your stomach. May I ask about either one?” She shook her head no and moved away from him. “I am sorry that I tried to pry into your life Alyssa. I had no right,” he apologized.

              “No, you didn’t,” she said coldly.

              “Will you ever forgive me?” She shrugged. “What will it take for you to walk next to me?”

              “Another apology, this time though I want you to apologizing for using a harsh tone with me.”

              He stopped walking and they faced each other. “How about an apology and five silver coins?”

              She cocked her head to the side. “You want to pay me to walk next to you?”

              He shook his head. “I would like to give you five silver coins so that when we get to town you may buy whatever you want and if you need more please come ask me.”

              She nodded. “And my apology?”

              “I am sorry for being harsh with you, my anger was in no way your fault and I should not have done it. I am very sorry and hope for your forgiveness.” He handed her a small black bag with the coins in it.

              “Thank you. I accept your apology and am sorry for being angry with you as well.” They nodded and smiled at each other. “Shall we continue?”

              Marcus looked down at her wrists as they walked. “Where are your bandages?”

              She shrugged. “Probably by the river. They got itchy.”

              He laughed. “The itching means they were healing. The sores look much better though.” She looked down at her wrists too and nodded. The redness had faded into a soft pink and they barely hurt anymore.

              “That cream is very good.”

              He nodded. “Some friends make that for me.” She smiled at him but it quickly diminished as her ears picked up the sounds of town. Alyssa gulped nervously as they continued walking toward the small group of buildings. He looked down at her and spoke softly in her ear, “No one here will hurt you here

              Alyssa. You have my word on that.” She nodded but his words did little to ease her fears.

              He led her into town and almost immediately the whispers started. The townspeople weren’t mean; most had just never seen an angel before. Her wings were the instant topic though as people stared at the stubs. Alyssa became self-conscious and hugged them close to her body in a futile attempt to hide them. As they continued walking through the town though she gave up and ignored them all. Marcus led her to a small stone building with a bright cherry wood door.

              “The woman inside is named Angie. She’ll help you. Buy whatever you want, I’ll come find you. I have some things to get.” She nodded and watched him go. A few of the men near her began staring hungrily at her. Alyssa rolled her eyes and quickly escaped into the shop. The attention was flattering but also deeply terrifying, especially without Marcus by her side. The shop though wiped away her fears with bright dresses and the smell of chamomile.