I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 36

-Leila's POV-

I let out a whimper as I feel the dull, burning pain in my chest. It hurts to breath and my throat feels raw like its being torn apart. But I'm warm, which is something I haven't felt in a long time. I move closer to the warm entity next to me, enjoying how different it feels. I don't want to think after what just happened or think about how sore I am.

"Can you hear me," says a smooth and calm voice. I open my eyes a little, taking a moment to adjust to the light in the room. Finally able to see in front of me, I realize the warm entity that I'm leaning against is Sinbad. I take a moment looking around a little bit, realizing that I'm in a common sleeping area and can see some of the young slaves standing there watching Sinbad and I and Sinbad has one arm wrapped around my waist, while is other is supporting his head. The room's walls are made out of large gray stones and filled with many candles and basic wooden beds for the slaves. "Hey," he say lifting his hand to my chin making me look him in the eye. "Come on, Leila. Just focus on me."

I nod a little taking as deep of a breath that I can manage without feeling like my chest is caving in. I feel Sinbad pull me closer as I hear some of the kids whispering that I'm awake now.

"Do you remember what happened," asks Sinbad, his face only inches from mine. "You keep coughing up water. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Water boarding," I say immediately flinching at the harsh feeling of saying anything.

"Is there anything I can do to help," he whispers as I shake my head a little. "Then get some rest," he says sitting up a little. "I'm not leaving, but I want to tell the kids what's going on. They're really curious about who you are and what's going on."

"Where's Maader," I ask immediately regretting it as I start to cough, feeling the water force its way out of my lungs. I feel Sinbad move and rub my back as I continue to cough, before eventually stopping feeling a bit dizzy.

"If you can help it," says Sinbad still staying close to me. "Don't talk right now." I nod relaxing as I feel Sinbad brush back some of my hair before playing with it a little. "She didn't tell me what exactly she was doing, but she had to leave for business. I told her that while she was gone I wanted to try to see if I could convince you that you were making a mistake. She believed me, so the guards aren't supposed to touch you for a while. Okay?"

I nod a little bit before shutting my eyes, still feeling Sinbad's fingers working their way through my hair. Quickly, I feel myself drifting off to sleep, feeling relieved that Sinbad's here now.

"We're together now," says Sinbad as I feel myself relaxing into sleep. "And I don't intend on leaving you alone like that again."

-A Little While Later-

"She'll wake up soon," I hear Sinbad say, but don't feel him close by. "She stopped coughing a couple of hours ago, so just give her some time."

"She need to be ready," I hear a child say. I stir a little, before feeling a warm hand on my arm. My guess is the hand is Sinbad's.

"She will be," I hear Sinbad say as I relax a bit knowing that he's close by. "Right now though, she needs a little time to rest. Maader's put her through hell and back."

"Sin," I say moving to sit up, only to turn as I feel Sinbad force me to stay laying down. As I open my eyes, I can see Sinbad sitting in front of me, now looking directly at me and standing in front of him is that Fanalis who defeated him in the arena. "How long…"

"Hold on a minute," says Sinbad softly, before standing up and walking away. I blink not really sure where he's going, but don't question him.

I turn and look at the Fanalis as he looks at me with no emotion.

"I'm Leila," I say slowly sitting up, still feeling a little dizzy. "What's your name?"

"Masrur," he says not offering up anything else. "I already knew your name. Sinbad talks about you a lot, now that he talks."

"What do you mean," I question thoroughly confused. The Sinbad I know is always telling stories and talking to people.

"You really shouldn't be getting up yet," says Sinbad sitting close to me again as now I look at him confused. He takes my hand placing a cup filled with water in it. I say a quietly thank you before starting to sip the contents, relieved as they ease some of the pain in my throat. "I take it you're feeling a little better."

"Yeah," I say turning towards Masrur. "So trust me when I say that I'll be ready for a fight when it comes time."

I see Masrur nod, before walking off without another word.

"He's a unique one," says Sinbad laughing a little turning towards me, but I can't bring myself to smile. "You okay?"

"Masrur made a comment about now that you talk," I say noticing Sinbad's smile fall. "What did he mean by that?"

"I'm not even close to as strong as you are," he says looking away. "After Maader tortured me for a while, I just kind of shut down. I stopped talking or reacting. I just shut down."

"I wish you would have told me," I say noticing Sinbad look at me.

"How was I supposed to admit this," he says shifting closer to me. "I found you still putting up a fight, no matter how much pain you were in."

"I had my own ways of coping," I say looking down. I notice Sinbad reach across and take my hand. "The only reason they stopped is because you stopped reacting. I don't know how to do that. I might not be loud, but there's always some response. I can't not respond to that type of thing after what's happened and I don't know why. As for how I responded, I wouldn't stop talking. I just needed to hear someone saying something other than how much what they're going to do next will hurt."

"I'd say you should have told me that, but I guess I should have told you." I notice Sinbad laugh a little before looking at me and smiling with his golden eyes. "I'm just happy that you're here now. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably have an easier time with reaching your goals," I say with a smirk. "After all, I only bring bad luck."

"That's not what I think of when you come to mind," says Sinbad leaning forwards so his forehead is touching mine, pulling my in with his eyes. "I think of the girl who worked so hard to help people and would sacrifice everything for the ones she loves."

I blush and look away, noticing that Sinbad doesn't seem to realize what he said.

"What," he whispers noticing my sudden change in attitude. I feel him looking at me confused, but I don't know how to respond. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No it's just…the ones she loves…" I pause and look at Sinbad, whose turn it is now to look embarrassed.

"Shit," says Sinbad pulling away a little bit. "I didn't mean to…damn it. I made this weird."

"I mean," I begin getting his attention. "I'm not disagreeing with you. I just want expecting you to say it."

"Oh," says Sinbad falling back into his confidence. "I didn't realize that you felt that way."

"I never said that," I say with a smirk. "I mean your mother, sure. My brother obviously. The people of Tison Village we're like family."

"Very funny," says Sinbad once again closing the distance. "You can deny it all you want, but now I know how you feel."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say with a small laugh, forgetting how good it feels being with Sinbad. How much everything bad disappears for even just a little while.

"Why don't you get a little more rest," says Sinbad putting some distance between us.

"No," I say as Sinbad frowns at me. "I want to hear what the plan is."

"Alright," says Sinbad with a small sigh. "But after that you need to get some sleep."

"Okay," I say noticing Salena sitting there watch us from the other side of the room. "But first do you know anything about Salena."

"Not really," says Sinbad looking over towards her as she looks away before leaving the room. "She has an older sister and she's usually close to her, but doesn't really talk to anyone. I'm not even sure how old she is."

"I still can't figure out why she kept coming to help me before," I say feeling Sinbad turn back towards me.

"Maybe she just felt bad for you," says Sinbad suddenly realizing what he said. "You were getting tortured or beaten a lot."

"Yeah, but no one really knew that."

"I don't know why then. For now let's just work on getting you up to speed and then ready for this to end."

"Okay."