Chapter 72 Good as new
Ira's POV
“Cath! You're bleeding!” Sia screams.
My legs move on their own, my hands reaching out to catch Cath just before she staggers.
With a grunt Cath settles herself into my arms, blinking like she's just going through a normal routine and not freaking bleeding from her nose.
“Sit,” I say, carefully guiding her to the counter. Sia calmly rubs her back in gently pants.
“It's okay, it's just a little blood guys.” Cath says trying at a smile but failing when her face contorts into a frown, a pained hiss slipping past her lips.
“Does your head hurt?” I ask.
“Are you feeling dizzy?” Sia's question comes in barely a second after mine, her face stricken with worry.
“The blood's not stopping,” Sia panics as the red liquid drops down Cath's chin into her apron.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, quickly ripping off a part of my dress from the hem and placing it in her hand.
With silent understanding, she presses it under her nose. Real fear grips me when blood darkens the fabric almost immediately.
Sia steps back, her eyes tearing up. “Oh my goodness, Ira I'm scared,”
“No,” Cath chuckles, her eyes a bit red but her smile brighter this time.
I stay silent , watching how her hand tightens around the cloth. Her other hand running through her hair.
“I’ll go get someone,” I say, turning to the exit.
But I've only taken a step when shivering fingers close around my wrist.
“Don’t,” she says. “This is not the first time.”
I look at her then, like really look at her. At how calm she is trying so hard to be even when it's obvious she's in pain.
She looks from me to Sia, reading the panic still carved into our faces, and then she laughs.
She actually laughs, loud and unashamed. Her shoulders shake to the rhythm, the sheer light in her eyes shattering the thick fear lodged in my heart.
“Goddess, relax you both,” she says, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “I’m not dying on you two.”
Sia’s hands fidget. “But the blood…there's so much of it…”
Cath swipes the back of her hand under her nose. The bleeding has already stopped, leaving only a faint pink streak.
“This happens sometimes,” she says with an easy shrug. “Nosebleeds. I get them when I’m cold, or when I push too hard. Guess scrubbing this damn floor was the final straw for my body. It's nothing serious. It's just how my body tells me it's tired.”
She flashes that wicked grin, then drags her apron across her mouth, smearing away the last of the red like it’s nothing.
“See? Good as new.”
A heavy breath leaves my nostrils as I nod. “You scared the shit out of us,” I mutter.
I certainly don't think she's alright but it's pretty obvious she doesn't want to go into detail and since this isn't new to her, I can only watch from a distance and ensure it doesn't get worse.
Moreover, her wolf is possibly just weak and slow in healing her.
Or absent like mine.
Cath reaches over and tousles my hair, her fingers feel warm. “Aw, look at you. I never thought you were a softie at heart.”
I push her hand off my head, “it's not everyday you get to see your friend bleed from her nose.”
“You guys act like you can't wait to get rid of me but you were literally about to cry, weren’t you?”
I scoff. “Please. I was calculating how fast I could sprint for the healer so I wouldn’t have to hear any more of your depraved sex tutorials.”
Sia lets out a choked laugh.
I watch her closely.
She throws her head back looking genuinely joyful.
“It’s a good thing you reminded me,” she says, signalling for us to help her off the counter. “Because we were nowhere near finished.” she smirks jumping to her feet, our arms helping support her balance.
She briefly brushes dirt from her skirt before leaning in close, her voice dropping to that low, filthy murmur I know too well.
“So,” she whispers, throwing a hand over my shoulder. “Which one of you is going to have a cock down her throat tonight?”
Sia makes a strangled squeak, her entire face igniting crimson.
“Cath!” I hiss, side-eying her.
“I’m done with you,” I call over my shoulder, getting on my knees, emptying the water in her bucket into mine, hoping that passes the message.
She needs to rest. Something's wrong but it's fine if she won't talk about it now.
“Me too,” Sia adds, shaking her head furiously as she picks up her cleaning tools, pulling out a stool for Cath to sit.
Cath sighs and drops into it. “I can still do a little work…”
I look at her… more like glare at her. Thankfully that tells her to shut it and behave.
The rest of the afternoon slips by in steady work and relentless teasing from Cath who clearly won't stop until one of us agrees to give it a try.
By the time the sun starts setting, I can barely lift my muscles without wincing. Our work gets approved, but just when I'm about to retreat to my room, the head cook presses a tray into my hands.
“Commander’s study,” she grunts. “Late supper. He’s been shut in there since dawn.”
I stiffen, my stomach twisting slightly at the thought of being alone in a room with Ruel. With a nod I take the tray from her with careful hands.
The walk through the quieting halls feels endless. Most servants have already retreated to their quarters, Sia and Cath included.
The closer I get to commander Ruel's study, the louder my steps sound in my ear.
When I eventually reach his door, I take in a deep breath before knocking.
I balance the tray against my hip and raise my fist a second time, knocking harder.
I knock again.
Still nothing.
He's probably not in there.
Relief and disappointment tangle in my chest. I bite my lip, debating. Then, deciding to just do as told, I ease the door open.
The study is brighter than the last time. There's a marked map on his table. A torn letter rests on one side of the map.
I ignore it all and set the tray down before turning to leave.
My steps instantly come to a halt when the door swings open.
I hold my breath, my heart slamming into my ribs.