Tala

Chapter Three Part One

Tala slipped in and out of consciousness. When she woke, all she could remember was the searing pain, the aching muscles, and the betrayal of someone she shouldn’t have trusted. Somewhere in the blur of pain and dreams, she knew Jakin was taking care of her. He changed her bandages and gave her food and medicine. Even though Tala wanted to live forever in the world of painless sleep, she knew she couldn’t remain in his debt. Once a week had passed, she refused the offer of the draught when it came in the morning.

“Tala, please drink this,” Jakin said. “It will help with the pain.”

Her mouth was dry as she tried to reply. “I need…to…be…awake…”

“Then take a little,” Jakin said. “Please?”

Tala agreed, and she sipped some of it. Her searing pain dulled to throbbing. She asked for water and drank some of that, too. Her mouth no longer felt dry. She met Jakin’s soft brown gaze, wishing she could sit up.

“Why are you doing this?” Tala asked.

“I already told you,” Jakin replied. “It’s my fault this…