Wow, it's been even longer than I thought. I'm so sorry. I have not stopped working on any of my stories, I've just been unhappy with the results. Unfortunately, that means I cut a bunch of stuff and this is woefully short. I kind of feel bad for even posting this because it's so short. I promise the next chapter will not take nearly as long to post.
This was not the first time Mary had experienced the consequences of an overindulgence in drink, but it was by far the worst.
"It's about time you woke up."
His voice was all too cheerful as he reentered the room and Mary let out a groan and carefully rolled out of bed. "Are you enjoying this?"
Bash set a plate down on top of the chest of drawers. "Not at all." He grabbed a piece of bread from the plate and offered it to her. "You should eat something before we go."
As the scent of bread wafted at her, Mary was struck with overwhelming nausea. "Oh God!" She bolted for the window, pushing it open before vomiting out of it. "I think I'll wait," she moaned.
Slowly, Mary turned to face the room where Bash extended a cloth to her. She wiped her mouth on it and looked at him miserably. "I made a fool of myself, didn't I?"
He offered her some water and shook his head. "You could never be a fool."
Mary was quite certain he was lying, but said nothing as she sipped the water. "How soon must we go?"
"Now, if you can manage."
"I'll have to." She'd never dreaded a ride so much before.
"I've readied the horses." Bash looked her over with concern. "Your ladies will be able to cover for you for a bit, but it will be difficult if you aren't back by midday."
Mary agreed and grabbed at her pounding head which was now competing with her stomach for most irritated and felt the tangled mess that was her hair. "How bad does it look?"
"You don't really expect me to be a good judge of hair, do you?"
Mary laughed. Bash had the most unruly hair she'd ever seen. Sometimes she wondered if he ever combed it. Yet it was also soft and silky and she wished to run her fingers through it. That thought solicited a blush she tried to hide.
"It doesn't look like the hair I'd expect a queen to have, if that helps," he added.
She nodded. "It does."
"Are you ready then?"
Again she nodded and they headed out.
***
The ride out of the village was torturous. Every element that would increase the pain of her symptoms were present. Mary was grateful most of the journey would be through the woods and she'd be spared the brightness of the sun and the loudness of the villagers. But once there, she felt even worse. The jostling of her body as her horse ran across the uneven terrain was too much.
"Stop!"
Mary quickly dismounted and began dry heaving, all the while cursing herself for her stupidity.
Bash was quickly at her side. "Mary?"
"I can't do it," she moaned.
He pressed his flask into her hand, saying nothing as she took sips of water. "We'll go slower," he said finally.
She shook her head. "It will take too long."
Mary slumped against the nearest tree to try and regain her strength. She'd already put her ladies in a sticky situation and she owed it to them to return as quickly as possible.
"Ride with me, then. That should steady you a bit."
She met his eyes, but they revealed nothing. She wanted to come up with an excuse, but could think of none. "I suppose it's worth a try," she conceded.
After a few more moments of rest, Bash remounted his horse and helped Mary up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his torso carefully, not wanting to seem too eager.
"Hold on to me."
***
Mary let out a moan as she was suddenly jerked awake. She had managed to fall asleep as she rested against Bash's back. Though it wasn't sound sleep, at least it was a break from feeling her hang over. But she was mortified when she saw she had drooled on his back and said a silent prayer that he didn't notice.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, fine," she lied. Death seemed preferable.
"There's a creek nearby. I'm going to stop there and switch horses."
"How much further to the castle do you think?"
Bash dismounted and helped Mary down before answering. "Maybe an hour. These back trails take longer."
Mary nodded. She had agreed to take the back routes to avoid travelers that might be on the main road. A drunken peasant in a dark tavern was not likely to recognize her, but a court guest traveling to or from the castle was a different matter. It was best to safe.
"If your ladies are correct that they can cover for you until midday, you should be fine." He reached into his saddle bag and produced an apple and half a loaf of bread. "Do you think you can eat something?"
"I'll try," she said, taking the bread from him. She took small bites and chewed slowly. Maybe if the food was ground up enough, her stomach wouldn't notice the intrusion.
Bash tended to the horses, giving them a snack and taking them to the stream for a drink. It didn't take long. Mary certainly wished it took longer as she did not want to be riding again. She watched as Bash moved his supplies from one horse to the other, speaking to them in soft murmurs as he did so. He could be so gentle when he wasn't being cheeky or dry.
"Where were you all this time?" Mary asked before downing some water.
"Mostly villages in the southeast. There were reports of uprisings." He finished tightening the straps securing his belongings before turning to face her and taking a bite of his apple.
"And were there?"
He shrugged, still gnashing on his apple. "Some discontent, but not much in the way of organizing."
"How do you know?"
"Sources," he said with a goofy grin.
Why did she find that so endearing? "And the village? That's north of the castle."
"Do you accuse me of lying?" he asked with amusement.
Mary crossed her arms over her chest. "I think you've left something out."
Bash gave a slight nod. "I decided to visit a few acquaintances before returning."
"Friends?"
"Some."
"Women?"
"Some."
Mary pushed down her desire to know their relation. There was nothing more she could ask without surpassing what was proper. "I hope you had a good time then."
"I did," he answered with a smile.
She was certain he was being annoyingly vague on purpose. Why did she let it bother her so? "Are you not going to inquire about my activities in your absence?"
He was silent for a moment as his demeanor dampened. "I do not need to know such things."
"Do you not care about my being?"
"Only that you are well," he replied after some hesitation. "The details are unnecessary."
His words hurt more than she could have imagined. "What if I want you to know?"
"Then I will give you my ear," he said solemnly. "But I think it's best that we resume our journey."
Unhappily, Mary agreed and excused herself to make water before they continued.
She made sure she was well out of eyesight before lifting her skirt and squatting. She had just finished and begun to stand when a sudden movement in the leaves startled her. With a small shriek, Mary stumbled and fell to the ground, her backside still exposed.
"Mary?"
"I'm fine," she called as she scrambled to her feet, determined not to have another embarrassing scene.
"Mary?" Bash called again as he came into sight.
"I'm here. I'm fine. I tripped is all. And killed a plant, I suppose."
His eyes went to the newly trampled plant. "That's where you landed?"
"Yes." Mary shook out her skirt and tried to smooth it. Some queen she was. She couldn't even relieve herself without causing a scene. She looked back at Bash expecting to see another amused grin but only saw a frown. "Why?"
His eyes met hers. "That plant is poisonous."
I am never leaving the castle grounds again.
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