Ainsley rambled on in her cloud of worry. Her voice had risen six octaves, and there was sure to be a new floor pattern with her pacing.
"Oakley, for fuck's sake, What is going on? You have a gash the size of the Nile on your leg!"
Oh, that's right, my leg, the bleeding. I examined the crimson streaks seeping out of the cloth. They dripped down my ankle onto the floor.
I turned my attention back to my sewing kit, deciding to ignore the three elephants in the room until my leg was situated. Living was a priority, conversation, not necessarily.
Dizziness set in, and my fingers trembled trying to spear the thread into the needle. Rough, calloused hands took them from me gently, threading it with ease. When I looked up, Coop's eyes bore into mine.
"At least let me help you." He begged, a tears glistened in his eyes.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I sucked in a needed breath. The trembling in my hands increased, not because of the pain, but the guilt. I hated the feeling, but I couldn't bring myself to stop doing the things that brought it on. I had to protect myself.
I didn't protest when he knelt down in front of me. Even with the elevation of the bed, he met my eyes. I just stared at the wound on my leg as he unwrapped the soaked material. Gagging sounds erupted in my throat at the sight of the gash, and Coop's eyebrows furrowed.
The blood wasn't coming out as fast, it was more of a trickle. The concerning part, was the green color emanating from inside the wound.
"Oakley, we gotta get you to a healer. This isn't right." Coop's voice was low and hushed as he eyed the collar on the bed.
It sparked and the green light flickered. Coop's eyes flashed pink, and Trey took Ainsley into his arms, leading her out of my dorm. She protested before he whispered something in her ear, and closed the door behind them.
"Coop, why is it green? Better yet, why the fuck is it glowing?" I shrieked.
Coop stood straight and pulled out his cellphone, dialing a few numbers before bringing it to his ear.
"Igs, I need you." Were his only words before ending the call, and taking my arm.
When I tried to protest, to ask him what was going on, He held up a finger, and fiddled with the crossbow on his wrist.
"Oh, hell no, Coop! I'm not getting shot at again." I shouted and hobbled from him, evading his attempt to stop me.
"Relax, Oakley. It isn't just a crossbow, trust me on this. I'm gonna get you to a healer, and fast. The only way I know how to do that, is by portal." He reassured me, clicking a button on the side.
Within moments, a portal materialized in front of us. Beautiful pink and purple hues lit its center, and shimmered above the ground in an oval. I stared at it in awe for a moment before Coop picked me up, and carried us through.
*
Portal hopping, not on my to do list any time soon, was disorienting. I had to blink my eyes furiously to adjust my sight, and when they refocused, my heart dropped. We were in Coop's realm. Not just that, we were in his father's temple.
Eros was known as the god of love and beauty, and his temple encompassed that in every way. Light shone from the ceiling's glass panes. Pinks, reds, and golds covered the accents of every wall. The pictures from the Species History book didn't do it a lick of justice.
Coop made a right down the first hall, and into a large, intricate bedroom. After he set me on a leather couch, he tossed a fuzzy blanket over me. Gold sparks erupted from the pink fabric, and my eyes widened in shock.
"Don't take it off, it'll keep the pain away until Igs gets here." He spoke lifting his hands and backing away.
I shot him a confused glance before snuggling further into the blanket. Euphoria washed over me, and realization set in.
"Is...is this a lust blanket?" I managed to choke out.
Coop scratched the back of his neck and placed himself further away. He didn't need to respond, I knew the answer.
"Hey, it blocks the pain. All other side effects should be the least of your worries, little nymph." He said, playfulness did little to mask the worry in his voice, as he winked at me.
Heat permeated my cheeks and I pulled the blanket further up my body to shield myself. The pleasure the blanket stirred in me rattled my brain. I couldn't form a coherent response.
Coop noticed and cleared his throat before nervously pacing back and forth. He glanced at me a few times, refusing to look for too long, and an idea sprung into my head. Was it supid? Sure, but it was entertaining.
"Coop?" I asked, sugar coating my voice.
His head snapped to me, and eyes widened at my mischeiveous expression. His back hit the door with a thud.
"Whatever you're about to say...don't" His voice trembled a bit before he cleared his throat and pushed off the door.
"You seem to be pacing a bit. What's goin through your head?" I asked innocently.
"Oakley, your injured and Igs isn't here yet. I think pacing is reasonable, don't you?" He kept a cool face, but the nerves were present in his tone.
The blankets effects began to take over, because my eyes closed shut and a pleasured groan escaped my lips. When Coop sucked in a deep breath my eyes snapped to his.
"Do I look injured?" I asked, and stretched my arms over my head, arching my back.
"Oakley-shit- Igs! Where the fuck are you?" Coop's frantic shout added to the entertainment, and a giggle escaped my lips.
"What, Coop? You don't find me attractive?" I murmured, looking at him through my lashes. The corners of my lips twitched into a seductive smile, and he paled.
"Oakley, do not start something you can't finish. Yes I find you attractive. This is the blanket talking, and most definitely not you." His reasonable words sunk in, but the pleasure was overwhelming.
"Such a wonderful blankie." I said as I lifted the fuzzy material to my face. I inhaled the scent softly, curling into a ball on the couch. My eyes drifted shut, lavender invading my nostrils.