Chapter 1, Pages 48-52

 

“Did
we by any chance stop near a stream,” Rielari asked suddenly shy,
“I would really like to wash some of this blood off.”

“Yes,”
Asrik said picking her up effortlessly.

Rielari
protested, “I can walk.”

Asrik
chuckled and walked with her in his arms to the small river just
outside of their camp. He placed her delicately back on her feet at
the rivers edge and looked to her for further instructions.

Rielari
felt like she was being treated like a child, first Zefrik than
Asrik. They had both carried her around as if she was an invalid and
couldn’t do anything for herself. She glared at the man who was just
smiling back at her. Damn them both, she thought, when I get my
strength back I will show them both that I am to be feared. Now that
she was standing though her leg hurt again and she wasn’t entirely
sure how she was going to wash or change her clothes.

Looking
around for something sturdy to lean on, Rielari soon realized there
was nothing near the edge of the lake. She looked at Asrik who was
now smirking at her. He held out his arm, giving her something to
hold on to and support some of her weight. His people tended to be
tall and thin framed, Asrik was tall but he had a bigger build than
the usually dainty Friatian’s.

Putting
her hand on his arm, Rielari glared up at him, “Could you possibly
help me sit near the water.”

Asrik
put her arm that had been resting on his around his neck and scooped
her up once more. Rielari quickly wrapped her other arm around his
neck for fear of falling and looked directly into his eyes.

Asrik
froze, “You are lovely.”

Rielari
blushed as Asrik knelt to the ground still holding her. He gently
placed her on the soft grass at the bank of the river. Standing
suddenly he turned and left her staring at his retreating form.

Regaining
her composure Rielari pulled her boots and wool socks off, placing
them to the side. Unlacing her leather corset she placed it next to
them. She then removed her wrist bands putting them on the ground as
well. Her white blouse had been cut but she had her spare one in her
saddle bags. Her pants were ruined, she would have to purchase
another pair. She didn’t think she could put her spare pair on, they
were too tight and would probably irritate her wound. Sitting there
lost in thought she jumped when Asrik spoke.

“I
brought you some to wear till your leg heals,” Asrik smiled down at
her, “And some soap to wash with. But I don’t know how you are
going to do that.”

Rielari
cringed thinking about it, he would have to help her. Sighing loudly
she looked up at him, “You will have to help me.”

A
large boyish smile appeared on his face, “I’ll get all wet.”

Rielari
laughed, “Well you look like you could use a bath.”

Pretending
to be hurt by what she said Asrik stomped off back towards their
camp. When he returned he had an armful of clothes and he was still
smiling.

“You
are going to have to take those off,” Asrik said indicating her
pants.

Rielari
looked at him, “Then you will have to help me stand again.”

Kneeling
next to her, Asrik waited until she put her arm around his shoulders
than hoisted her to her feet again. Rielari unfastened her pants
with one hand then looked at him again.

“Can
you hold me steady I need both hands to do this”

<p align="JUSTIFY" style=”text-indent: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in”>Asrik
nodded and Rielari carefully pulled her pants down past her wound.
She stopped when she couldn’t reach anymore and looked at him
questioningly.

He
knelt directly in front of her, “Place your hands on my shoulders.”

Rielari
did what he asked and Asrik pulled her pants down to her ankles.
Carefully picking each foot up to remove them completely he grabbed
her around the waist and stood up. He quickly kicked his boots off
and toed his socks off.

“Hey,”
Rielari protested, “Wait.”

Asrik
laughed and walked into the river with her trussed over his shoulder
fully dressed. When he was about chest deep in the water he agilely
righted her and she splashed water in his face.

“Can
you swim?” He asked with a grin. She nodded her head and he went
back to retrieve the soap.

Rielari
watched as Asrik removed his soaked shirt, his skin was evenly tanned
and his muscles well defined. He then removed his pants that were so
wet they stuck to him as he took them off. Leaving his undershorts
on he walked back into the water. He handed her the soap and offered
her his shoulder for support.

Carefully,
Rielari scrubbed her blouse wherever she saw blood then she washed
out the cut on her arm. It burned.

“Feel
any better,” Asrik asked smiling.

Rielari
splashed more water at him, “Yes thank you.”

Taking
the soap from her, Asrik scooped her up again and brought her back to
dry land. Standing her in front of him he held her hand and leaned
down to grab a large towel from the pile of clothes. He stood back
up and looked at her. The water made her white blouse almost see
through and it clung to her skin seductively. Placing the towel over
her shoulders he pulled her close to him. She was looking at his
chest uncertainly.

Asrik
put his hand on the side of her face and lifted her chin with his
thumb, forcing her to look into his eyes, “So lovely.”

He
lowered his head to hers and captured her lips with his almost
forcefully. She didn’t resist, giving in to his passionate kiss she
parted her lips to allow his tongue entry.

Releasing
her mouth, Asrik smiled down at Rielari. He gently helped her to sit
on another towel and walked back into the water. Slightly out of
breath she watched as he swan up river. She felt confused.

Rielari
looked at the pile of clothes he had brought and noticed her saddle
bag. She pulled her spare blouse out, looking around to make sure no
one could see her she took her soaked blouse off. Asrik was swimming
back towards her so she quickly pulled her dry blouse over her head.
Reexamining her leg while she waited for him she noticed that the
stitches had held.

“You
like my work,”Asrik asked standing over her dripping water, “It’s
not as fine as yours but it should hold well.”

Rielari
looked up into his dazzling eyes, “You did this?”

Asrik
smiled his charming smile, “Yes I did.”

“It
will do,” she laughed.

He
reached for the towel she had used to dry off with and proceeded to
do the same. Running his fingers through his long hair he quickly
braided it to keep it out of his face.

Grabbing
a pair of pants he tossed them to her, “These will be a little long
on you but at least they wont rub on the stitches.&rd

quo;

Putting
a foot in each leg hole, Rielari carefully pulled the pants up laying
down to get them all the way up without having to stand. She pulled
the drawstring tight around her small waist and tied it. She grabbed
the rest of her things and set them next to her. Using her arm
strength to lift her injured leg up she attempted to hold it while
putting a sock on. She couldn’t quit reach and became frustrated.