My body ached like I needed a months worth of heat, pain killers, and stretching. My eyes burned, tired from tears. I was washed and dressed by Lonna. She put a soothing gel that she squeezed from some kind of root and it made my skin soft and warm. I was covered by a beautiful white leaf blanket and Lonna was brushing through my hair. It was no longer tangled, but I couldn't stop shaking. So her hair brushing turned into more of a comfort thing. I felt like a lone leaf, billowing frantically in ice cold wind and some how still clinging to the branch.
Leo came after a time, holding a tray of bowls. I couldn't help, but to notice his strong physique. His arms were nicely defined and the soul on his arm that depicted my transformation stood out against his milky white skin. I could barely see the scales. His white hair was loose and hanging over his shoulder, the other side shaved to the skin. I could see his bone-like earrings, long needles that looked more like tiny spears that someone had thrown at his ears and pierced them. It made me smile a tiny bit, thinking of someone trying to kill him with tiny spears and going into his ear.
"I'm glad I can make you smile Sweetness." He said.
My smile faltered and I said, "Try anything untoward and I will kick you out. I don't care how much pain I have to endure."
He set the tray down. "Do not worry Wren. I won't do anything you don't want me to."
The way he said it hinted that I actually wanted his intentions. And what girl doesn't want a handsome guys attention, but I can't be juggling guys. Everything here seemed so much more…final. After nearly losing my life, I felt like I didn't belong more than ever. Forget having having a beast. I was in way over my head. I had no idea how to handle my beast form and I was as good as a person in a sword fight that didn't know sword play.
"All I want is for you to treat me like any other, help me heal, and then I'm out of here forever." I said.
His teasing flirty face went serious. "My sister scared you. For that, I am sorry. But you shouldn't let her have power over you like that."
"How can I not? All of you have power over me. I don't know how to protect myself. I am at your mercy."
"Then choose one of us and let us protect you. You're so determined to keep us at a distance, but you were sent to this world for a reason. You can't live here and not be a part of our world."
What he said was true. But how do you choose someone you don't even know? "I'm not sure that I can connect with one of you so fast."
"Maybe not right now, but once you hear a call, you will imprint on the male you find and your connection will surpass all your worries."
"It's true." Lonna said. "So just put some bees wax in your ears and you'll be given a choice for a mate."
"Lonna, she's not like you. She needs a protector. She needs a mate. You can handle yourself and be choosy. Wren cannot."
"I've got her back." Lonna said defiantly.
"Like you did in the bath pit?" Leo grabbed some whitish cream in his hands and began massaging my neck. It started to tingle, going numb and warm. It soothed my sore throat.
"That was a mistake. Now I know she cannot be alone. I will never leave her alone."
Wow. This sounds fun. Having someone with me every second of every day as a body guard.
"She would benefit from having a mate. You will eventually find one."
Leo grabbed a cup with some liquid in it and brought it to my lips. "Drink this. It'll make you sleepy, but warms the body and speeds up healing. I drank from the cup, a light tart flavor filled my mouth and I swallowed until the small bit of liquid was gone. I was about to wipe my mouth, but Leo beat me to it, brushing his big thumb against my mouth and taking the excess liquid. He then brought his thumb to his mouth and stared into my eyes as he sucked it clean.
"Holy moon Leo. Take your tray and get out. For sanities sake." Lonna said.
He chuckled and collected his tray. My eye lids became heavy with sleep and the last thing I saw was Leo smirking at me and heading out.
I was woken up by knuckles brushing against my cheek. Eyelids still heavy from sleep, slowly blinked open to see Kian looking at me. I gazed into his reptilian eyes surrounded by thick lashes. His kind is so uniquely attractive and strong. Here I was, some crocodile version of a rubber chicken, trying to fit in, but more of a joke and a fraud.
Tears spilled down for the millionth time and he wiped them with his thumbs. "Don't be afraid anymore. Let me protect you." He said.
"I don't belong here Kian. How can you love a girl like me? I'm odd. I'm weak. I'm ignorant to most things in this world. How can you love me?"
"Because I came alive when I met you. Because of your strange beauty, your frail and slender frame, and your innocence, I woke up. No longer bored with a predictable day. 'What will she say today?' I wonder. 'How much more light can she possibly bring?' And the day you came here, the wish you made, I wished for happiness that day. I prayed to the Goddess to bring me joy and I found you. I know without a single doubt that you were brought here for me."
"I don't want to be afraid to be alone." I whispered. He pressed his cool forehead to mine and I closed my eyes. He smelled like the fall, when all the life outside goes into hibernation.
"Then I will teach you how to fight."