River of Misery

Kie

I can't believe I fell asleep. How stupid of me. I pick up on the air vibrations. Reading them. Everyone is still in the room, awake and relaxed.

“Did Chris wake up?” I ask the room in general.

“Yeah, but he’s asleep again. Has been for a few hours. Are you feeling better?” Rexx whispers.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. Your upset at yourself. You shouldn’t be,” came a voice next to me.

I let out a glad cry. Chris is awake!

“Are you okay?” I ask him.

“Yep. I’m fantastic. Careful,” he says lightly, “I’m still hurt.”

I freeze, “I’m sorry. How hurt are you?”

I start lightly running my hands along his body. Feeling how badly he was hurt as I say, “You are still badly hurt, Chris. Jaden what is the worst injuries?”

“The worst injuries are the burns and the cuts.”

“For the burns, I need you to get…”

“Wait,” Chris interrupts, “I’m fine. I’ll heal. I promise.”

“No, Chris,” Rexx sternly replies, “You’re not fine. You look like you were eaten by a hellhound and spit back out. It's not a good look on you.”

“I will be fine, then. It won't kill me,” Chris harps.

I started listing what I need Jaden to get before Chris finished complaining.

I was finishing with the last of Chris’ wounds when I heard Nickola say that Ziruk was here. Jaden curses and says he’ll be right there.

“No need,” a strange man’s voice says, “I'm right here, Jaden. Congratulations. You managed to take him from me after all. Good evening, Christopher. How are you?”

“Fantastic. What do you want?” Chris retorts.

“I want to congratulate your friends. They got you back. Also, I wanted to tell you something. If you want to protect these people and your family and earn your lordship, you will have to visit with me for a week every three months starting next month till I tell you otherwise. Do you agree?”

“Yes, Ziruk, I agree to this but tell me the terms. What do you do to me when you get me back?”

“Whatever I want. Remember, Christopher, if you back out on your commitment, I can still call out the lords and report to them that you are a runaway slave. Do you remember the consequences of that?”

“Yeah. I remember,” Chris grunts in an emotionless voice.

“Good,” Ziruk states.

“But before this is finalized. Kie and everyone I love, past, present, and future, is never going to be harmed. If they do, our agreement is void,” Chris demands suddenly.

“Fine, but one thing. This agreement will be upheld with magic. Meaning you and I are connected. You will feel the connection break if anything happens. One condition for your condition is if they start anything. I can act in self-defense.”

I feel Chris nod. I heard a few whispered words in a different language and then Chris groans.

“Chris?” I ask in a panic. I try to touch him. Jaden quickly catches my wrists.

“Don't touch him. He is fine. Ziruk is finishing the ceremony for the agreement. You can't touch him without harm coming to both of you,” Jaden explains.

I nod and listen to the end of the ceremony.