The next morning Koda was already back from catching his prey for breakfast. Koda was preparing breakfast by the time Lyria woke up. She started to stretch when a sharp pain went through her ribs. She hissed in pain which alerted Koda.
He came over beside her and she jumped a little from his sudden presence.
"Are you ok? You need to be careful, your ribs are still healing." Koda was going to check on her injury but seeing her jump, he held back.
"Sorry, I always stretch when I wake up and wasn't thinking of my injury at all." Lyria relaxed when she saw it was just Koda beside her.
'Oh no, where's Ryker?' She looked past Koda at the entrance then started looking around the cave.
"Where's Ryker?" Lyria's eyes return to Koda when she's sure he isn't anywhere in the cave.
"He came last night but since you still need to rest and heal, he couldn't bring himself to wake you. He left after making sure you were ok. In my opinion the quicker you heal the better. Your family feels bad about you being unconscious for so long." Koda gets up and continues making breakfast.
"But I was really looking forward to seeing Ryker." Lyria's voice sounded small and defeated. "How do you expect me to lay here in this bed all day doing nothing? I can't even remember the last time I didn't do something. How about I sit at the table in my workspace? I'll be good and won't do anything that will jeopardize my health." I try to bargain with Koda. I've slept for six days and nights. I feel well-rested. Besides there's something I'd like to do that may help my family out.
"What part about you need to rest to get better did you not understand?"
"I'm a witch doctor. I'm telling you this little bit of movement won't hurt me. I'll still be in the cave and will not move much or do a lot, but I need to do something." I struggle to sit up, but I am not able to. I'm a little out of breath but not as much as I thought. I guess bathing with Nona really helped a lot. Still, after not doing anything for so long, my limbs feel numb.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to get up."
"Can you at least wait till after you eat?" Koda walks over with some fried pork and fruit.
He helped me sit up and put the food next to me.
"I have a favor I would like to ask you?" Lyria blushed a little from what she was about to ask.
"I am at your service." Koda did a playful bow and smiled trying to give off a playful atmosphere.
"Can you massage both of my legs? It will help with blood circulation." Lyria's blush deepens as she tries to pretend she is not embarrassed. She picks up her food and starts to eat.
"Sure, as long as you don't mind me touching you."
"Like you haven't been doing that for the past week." I laughed a little at him.
"True but you're fully conscious now. It's different." Koda has a thoughtful look on his face as he gets on his knees and begins to massage her thighs.
"Hhhummm. If you rub the oil in, could it help blood circulation? The things you could do with it are becoming more and more fascinating. My fingers ache with the need to do things. Please Prince Koda. I'll make you my best friend and even give you a gift, but honestly, I'll be making one for my family first."
"What kind of gift?"
'Yes, I've got his attention.'
"It'll be nice. You'll like it I'm sure of it, but I'll need your help again to get some river rocks by the falls. The purple ones, as many as you can get."
"I'll go when you finish eating." Lyria stops talking and relaxes. Koda massages one leg then move on to the second one, starting with the thigh and working his way down to the feet. It felt really good. I see why mom wants them all the time.
"You have no idea how good this feels. This is so relieving. Your really good with your hands."
"This is my first time giving a massage."
"Still, it feels great."
There is no scent of heat coming from her. She is innocently enjoying herself. Whereas Koda was holding himself back and would lose to his beast instincts soon if he didn't get away from her.
Koda got up, grabbed an empty basket, and left to get purple river rocks. Cool water is what he needed right now anyways.