Red Moon Rising(11)

James frowned. “Where does it still hurt Bree?”

“It doesn’t.” She lied.

He sighed loudly but didn’t press her. He stood and walked over to Nicholas. “She won’t let me touch her.” He said quietly.

He stared at his own hands and grunted with frustration. “I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to heal her.”

“Hmm, let’s see – maybe it’s because when we found her she was minutes from death. The gods only know how many internal injuries she was suffering from. Then she had a good deal of her blood sucked out of her by a leech.”

“I should still – “

Nicholas held his hand up. “You’ve been sleeping on the ground for nearly four nights. We’ve been traveling for days and it’s been what – six moons since you had a healthy woman warm your bed?”

James flushed. “Why exactly are you keeping track of my night time activities?”

Nicholas laughed softly. “All I’m saying is that you may have both Lycan healing powers and our mother’s healing gift, but even you get tired every once in a while.”

He glanced over at Bree. “The woman nearly died James. You’ve never tried to heal someone that close to death before. She’s so malnourished I can’t believe she even survived with your help. It’s not surprising that she’s still not fully healed.”

“She won’t heal if she won’t let me touch her.” James muttered darkly.

“The way she is reacting to us now, touching her is likely to do more harm than good brother. Leave her be for the night. She isn’t dying, and I’m afraid that knowing we are Lycans means she will never trust us.” Nicholas replied.

He sighed. “Frankly, I don’t blame her. What they did to her...”

His face darkened as he remembered the way Bree had looked when Tia had led them to her.

“I know.” James glanced behind him at Bree. “She needs food. I’ll go hunt something for dinner. Keep an eye on her okay?” James said.

Nicholas nodded as James disappeared into the darkness.

* * *



“It’s time for bed little one.” James voice drifted across the campfire.

She blinked rapidly. “I’m not tired.”

Nicholas smiled gently at her. “You are Bree. You’re practically falling asleep sitting up.”

“No, I’m fine.” She said stubbornly.

James tried not to roll his eyes. They had finished eating the rabbit he had caught, and he had been watching her nod off for the last ten minutes. Weariness was etched into her thin face. He had considered just letting her fall asleep and then carrying her to his tent, but he worried about her reaction if she woke up to find him touching her. Still, he was anxious to try and finish healing her.

Everything Nicholas had told him was true, but it frustrated him that he couldn’t quickly and easily heal the small woman in front of him. After dinner he had leaned against Nicholas for awhile. It made him feel stronger, and he was positive that one more night of sleeping against him would help heal Bree completely.

Kissing her would help.

He snorted to himself. That might be true but she would never allow it. She was terrified of both him and Nicholas, despite their gentleness with her.

He stood and held his hand out to her. “Come to my tent Bree.”

She shook her head, her nostrils flaring and her eyes wide. Tia, sensing her mistress’ distress, left the bone she was gnawing on and climbed into her lap.

“I’ll sleep out here by the fire tonight.”

“No Bree. It’s not safe and you’ll be too cold.” James said patiently.

“I’m not going in your tent with you.” Her body was trembling but her voice was steady enough.

James gave Nicholas a helpless look.

“You can have the tent to yourself Bree.” Nicholas smiled at her. “James and I will be taking turns keeping watch anyway, so we can share my tent.”

“Nicholas that won’t – “

“Be quiet brother.” Nicholas’ voice was unusually harsh.

“Neither of us will come into the tent Bree. You have my word on that. You may take my dagger if it makes you feel better.” Nicholas moved towards her and held out the short but sharp knife.

Bree took the knife from Nicholas. As she stood, she swayed and stumbled forward but Nicholas made no effort to touch her.

She weaved carefully to the tent. “Good night.”

She disappeared into the tent, Tia at her heels, and James turned on Nicholas.

“Nicky! What are you doing? She needs me.”

“Aye brother she does. But she does not realize it yet. It is better to leave her be for the night.”