The Realm

Chapter 10

Samantha woke with a thick and fuzzy tongue and a heavy body. So this is what it feels like to have a ton of bricks dropped on you. She tried to sit up, but managed only a few inches before collapsing back. Probably a good thing considering the room spun around her. She heard Chance meow and then a rustle from beside the bed. Sinclair's face came into view over hers and she would have gasped had she the strength. He looked haggard with dark circles under his eyes, and his normally clean shaven face covered in bristles. How long had she slept?

"You're back," he whispered as he gripped her hand and held it tightly. "You had me scared. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to talk to evil witches?"

Ah yes, the lovely yet wicked Melisante was responsible for the world's worst hangover. Samantha managed a weak smile at his feeble joke. "Water," she croaked, her voice scratchy and low. What on earth had happened to her? She felt so fragile. The last thing she remembered was the pain when the mist touched her and then nothing.

Sinclair filled a cup with water from a pitcher on her night stand and held her up so she could drink it. After, he carefully laid her down again, tucking the covers around her. He sat beside her, stroking her hair.

"What happened?"

"It would seem your appearance on my isle worried Melisante enough that she decided to take action. She sent a toxic mist through the mirror. It was lucky you only had a brief touch of it - a few moments more and I probably would not have been able to save you. As it was, you've been unconscious and at death's door for the past three days."

"Three days! But I don't remember anything."

"You were unconscious for most of it."

"That witch!" said Samantha with a fierce scowl. "If I ever get my hands on her..."

"Stand in line, because when I get free, she will pay for what she has done," Sinclair vowed with a grim look.

Samantha shivered and Sinclair pulled the covers higher, mistaking her shiver for one of coldness.

"Thankfully we prevailed. And we know for sure now that she fears your presence, which must mean we're getting close to an answer. Soon, my little sea nymph, we will escape from this prison."

"What if she comes back?" Samantha couldn't help but fear.

"I will protect you," he grimly stated, reassuring Samantha. "You need to rest."

She'd slept for three days. They needed to get to work. Needed to break the curse. "But - "

He kissed her lightly on the forehead and murmured, "Sleep."

Immediately, Samantha's eyes felt heavy and she closed them, drifting off into a healing slumber.

The next time she awoke, she felt much stronger. She managed to prop herself into a sitting position, however, the simple action left her panting. No marathons for her today. Heck, even keeping her eyes open took an effort. The green mist sure packed a punch. She felt weaker than a newborn kitten.

Chance, who'd slept alongside her, sat up with a yawn and blinked at her. Her bladder made its presence known, but when she tried to stand, she almost fell and quickly sat back down. Oh God, please don't let me wet the bed. I'll die of shame!

A light knock at the door preceded Kaar poking his head around the door. "Miss awake, help need?" he asked, his normally cheerful face somber.

Samantha pointed to the bathroom and Kaar nodded, but instead of coming to help, he left. Samantha squirmed in the bed. She really had to go! She was attempting to stand again when Sinclair strode in. He took one look and shook his head. "Don't even think about it." He scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom. Setting her down, he held her arm, waiting.

Samantha bit her lip and with red cheeks, stammered, "Um, I can't pee while you're standing there."

He chuckled. "Who do you think took care of you while you were ill? Trust me, there is not an inch of you that I'm not familiar with, including that sweet mole on your right buttock."

Oh my God. Samantha's face flamed hotter and she dropped her gaze. Still chuckling, Sinclair braced her hand on the toilet. He went out the door saying, "You have one minute, then I'm coming back in."

Samantha pulled up her chemise with one hand while holding onto the toilet with the other, and sat down.

Aaaaah! God, that felt good. Finished, she wobbled to her feet, her chemise falling down to cover her. Decent again, she called him back. Sinclair returned quickly and carried her to bed. Chance, seeing Sinclair was staying, hopped off the covers and wandered out the bedroom door.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, covering her with a blanket and plumping the pillows at her back so she could recline in a half sitting position. Better than a nurse, and better looking, too. He'd taken time to shower and shave during her nap. The dark circles remained under his eyes, but he'd lost his haunted look at least.

"A little," she replied. Actually now that he mentioned it, she felt a distinct rumble in her tummy.

Sinclair went to the door and stuck his head out, murmuring to someone in the hall. He returned and parked himself in the chair by her bedside. He clasped her hand between his. "You gave me quite a scare."

"Sorry," she said, eyes downcast. What an i***t she was, getting caught by Melisante like that. Her only defense lay in that she honestly hadn't known she was in any danger. Who knew the sorceress could use a mirror in such a nefarious manner?

"Don't apologize." He tilted her face sideways so that she looked at him. "You have nothing to be sorry for. This was not your fault. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. All those weird things that happened, I should have known something was afoot and protected you better."

Samantha's eyes widened in shock. He felt guilty because she'd gotten hurt, and here she felt guilty for getting caught. She started laughing and Sinclair immediately put a hand to her forehead.

"What are you doing?" she giggled.

"Checking for fever." His deadpan tone made Samantha giggle even louder.

"Oh," she howled. "It's too funny. Here we are, both feeling guilty about the other when the only person to really blame is that witch, Melisante."

Sinclair started chuckling, too. "You're right. But still, I will be making some changes around here so that the next time she tries we won't be caught unaware."

"You think she'll make another attempt to hurt me?"

"It's a distinct possibility. One I intend to prevent. I will protect you."

The grimness of his promise might have halted her chuckles, but at the same time, lightened her heart. Only an i***t would miss the fact he cared for her. And what woman didn't enjoy having a man she cared for declare his protection? "Let me know what I can do to help."

"You won't be doing anything for a while, sea nymph, other than resting while you get better. And when you feel up to it, I'd like to ask you about what happened with the mirror."

"No need to wait. Other than a little weakness in my muscles, I feel fine." As she recounted her tale, starting with the cool breeze, she felt detached from what had happened, shivering only when she recalled her inability to stop moving forward when Melisante had beckoned. The whole thing seemed surreal in retrospect. As she told him about her conversation with the sorceress, her voice got smaller and she tucked her head down. Melisante's malicious words still hurt. Sinclair grasped her hand more tightly, a warm comfort that made her voice grow stronger once again. She only flinched a little when she told him how the green mist had burned when it touched her. Sinclair in response lifted her hand and kissed it, his warm breath and lips, even in her weakened state, making her tummy flutter.

"By the Higher Powers, I'm sorry you had to suffer that. The only good thing about this is we've discovered she's afraid of you. It means we must be getting close to figuring out how to break this damn curse. I just wish I could have prevented you from getting hurt." He hung his head in shame.

Samantha rushed to reassure him. "It's not your fault. I wish I'd known how to stop her myself. My body just wouldn't listen. What a frightening feeling. But what was that mist? And how did she get me to move like that?"

Sinclair shook his head, as if he still couldn't believe it, and explained that the mist, Breath of Death, was of course forbidden by the Great Laws. In finishing, he said, "But we know Melisante no longer follows those laws and her compulsion spell is something I've never heard of. They usually don't work on humans and those that do, require the caster to physically touch the other person. Earlier, when I made you sleep, that was a minor compulsion that only worked because your body wanted sleep to heal. Had you really wanted to stay awake, or your body been stronger, it wouldn't have worked. But to take over your body like that and move it..." he shook his head, his face set in a frown. "I'm going to get Kaar to remove all the mirrors and reflective surfaces in the castle as a precaution. I don't want you to get caught if she tries again."

Fear quavered in her voice. "You really think she'll try again."

"I'm afraid so. It won't be long before she realizes she didn't succeed in killing you, so we have to assume she'll make another attempt. Removing the mirrors and whatnot will make it almost impossible for her to use that particular trick a second time. But, if she's using dark art spells then there's no telling what she'll do next. I also have a feeling that the mishap with the chandelier and the Black Undine may have been earlier, less blatant attempts to get rid of you. The amulet and its power make it hard to predict just what she is capable of. All we can do is be vigilant and that means, you don't go anywhere outside the castle without me."

"What about inside?"

"I've enacted magical guards. The castle should be safe."

I can't believe someone wants to kill me. Samantha shivered and Sinclair's eyes instantly darkened with concern. "Are you all right? Do you need to go back to sleep?"

"No, no. It's just hard to believe that someone could do such a thing. It's just so evil."

"Oh, she's evil all right, and she'll use or destroy anyone in her way. Look at what she did to me."

"The messed up thing is I think that some really, really small part of her did care for you. She spoke with fondness of your..." Samantha hesitated, blushing, "Your, um, prowess, in bed."

Sinclair chuckled at her obvious embarrassment, but then shook his head ruefully. "I just can't believe I was so blind. Apparently, I never looked beyond my lust to see what kind of person she really was. Being here so long has given me much time to reflect on what happened and I am chagrined to say that the signs were there, I was just too stupid and infatuated to see them."

Samantha decided it was time to change the subject. All this talk about his former lover was making her see green. "Do you think your family and friends suspect her in your disappearance? She's obviously still running around free."

"Who knows what they think. She played her part well. Perhaps they suspect her. But more than likely, she covered her tracks." He sighed. "I dread to think of my poor mother. I was her baby and I'm sure my disappearance came as a rude shock. My older brother and I weren't exactly the best of friends. He had already assumed his duties in the running of our estate, but I'm sure that my disappearance wouldn't be the type of thing he'd just let happen without reacting. My sister and I were quite close and I'm sure she's been frantic. As for my friends, I am ashamed to say I neglected them shamefully in my lust to be with Melisante. The Higher Powers only know what they think. I tried for years to get word out, but as I told you before, I cannot send anything, not even a small message. I just hope they haven't given up on me."

"As soon as I get out of this bed I am going to help you get out of here, and when we do, I want to be there when that witch gets what's coming to her."

Sinclair laughed. "Such ferociousness!"

Funny he said that, because her vehemence surprised her, too.

A knock sounded and Kaar's face peeked around the door. Sinclair beckoned him in. Kaar carried in a large tray filled with steaming food, Chance following at his heels, eagerly sniffing the air.

"You, my little sea nymph, are going to eat and rest before you tackle anything," he said with mock sternness, shaking his finger at her.

Too ravenous to argue, Samantha nodded her head and tore into the food, breaking off bits to feed Chance. Sinclair watched her while she ate. A little disturbing, and yet hot at the same time. It was if he didn't dare let her out of his sight.

A while later, her belly full and happy, a shy smile tilted her lips. "It occurs to me I forgot to say thank you for saving my life."

He responded by bending down and lightly brushing his lips over hers. "Anytime. But let's hope I never have to do it again. Now I want you to sleep."

Samantha's eyes suddenly felt heavy and smiling at his obvious attempt at nursing her, she fell back into a deep, healing slumber.

* * *

Sinclair stood and watched Samantha for a moment. Her face peaceful in repose, the rictus of pain erased, and her lips curved in a small smile. A smile for me, I hope. Gently, he brushed her cheek with his fingertips before bending to lightly kiss her lips again, whispering. "Sleep well and heal, my little sea nymph. I promise I will do a better job at protecting you from now on."

Sinclair left her bedside and strode to the door, but before exiting he paused to trace a series of symbols in the air. They glowed a bright red before fading out of sight. The magical wards would detect and prevent any magic, or being, from entering. Satisfied she was protected, he left her to rest.

He made a sweep through the castle, looking for weak spots in its defenses. He'd taken many precautions since the attack, the mirrors he'd told his servant to cover being only a small part of it. But, he still had a lot left to do, such as placing invisible wards around the outside of the castle to detect and prevent any more magical attacks. She wouldn't catch him unaware again. He couldn't lose Samantha. And not just because she was the key to his escape. Odd how he no longer cared if they broke the curse or not. He now had a new focus in life - protecting, and yes, loving, the woman he'd come to know.

He could no longer hide from the fact he'd fallen head over heels for Samantha, and when she regained her strength, he'd tell her. Show her. And love her.