"Valery, it is time for you to wake." Roshani's voice whispered and I sighed, opening one eye to stare at my boyfriend. Kneeling beside me he stroked my forehead with his palm, his club strapped to his waist.
"Is it morning already?" I yawned, lifting my head and he grinned at me. "I'm up though it might be a few minutes until I'm awake."
Climbing a little unsteadly to my feet I stretched, watching as Roshani covered the campfire in dirt. Letting out a yawn Dusk climbed to his feet, stretched before he moved to my side. Giving his head a pat I waited for Roshani who headed out way and with a quick grin he gently took my hand in his, tugging me towards the direction of our village. With a smile I let him lead back with Dusk at our heels the cave lion's eyes constantly checking for any Udam or Izila. For once everything was calm and apart for my stumble on a tree root we made it back without getting attacked.
Well, actually I didn't really stumble on the tree root more like fell right over it pulling Roshani over as well, both of us letting out a startled cry as we slid down a hill. Eventually coming to rest on soft grass, Roshani landed on my stomach leaving me a little winded.
"Oww that really hurt!" I groaned, Roshani pushing himself up by his elbows before I rolled onto my side. "Great just great. Can't even walk a few miles without falling on my face."
"Take my hand." Roshani said as he knelt beside me and I took his offered hand, groaning when I placed my right foot on the ground. "What did you do?" He asked, watching with raised eyebrows as I held my foot off the ground wincing a little.
"When I fell over that stupid tree root I must have twisted it. I'm so clumsy it's not even funny." I answered and he just sighed, kneeling beside me. "What are you doing, Roshani?"
"Climb on my back. I will carry you back." Roshani offered and I could feel my cheeks burn. "It is a long way back and there are wild animals that go after the weak and injured first." He pointed out when I hesitated. A little reluctantly I soon found myself on Roshani's back, arms wrapped around his neck as he carried me back to the village. Dusk looked up every so often and I just knew he was laughing at me...if cats can laugh anyway.
It took longer this time but soon I saw Sayla and Takkar at the edge of the village, their conversation interrupted at the sight of the ex-commander and his mate heading their way.
"Where did you go?" Takkar asked, noting my flushed cheeks and I sighed pointing to my swollen ankle. "You are injured?"
"I fell over and twisted my ankle, Takkar. Just another mishap, one of many." I explained as Roshani gently set me down only to grab me around my waist when I stumbled, my ankle throbbing the moment I put weight on it. "That was a dumb idea." I hissed, Roshani wrapping his arms around my shoulders to steady me.
"She is always getting injured." Sayla commented and Takkar nodded, watching with interest as we started to head towards my hut. All the way Roshani kept a firm grip on me asking if I was alright every time I winced for the pain.
After the second time it did get annoying but I was secretly grateful that he was worried about me. As we approached my hut I sighed, relaxing a little at being home...or as close to it as I could get.
"You will need something for your leg. I will be back soon." Sayla told us and I nearly jumped as the gatherer appeared behind us. Even Roshani blinked in surprise at Sayla who gave us both a small smile. She left and Roshani shook his head, gripping the cover of the hut before he pulled it aside.
"That was a little nerve-wracking." I commented as I limped inside Roshani just behind me. "I hate it when people sneak up on me."
"So I have noticed." Roshani answered as I limped towards the center of the room. As carefully as I could I lowered myself onto the animal skin rug, hissing in pain when I bumped my injured ankle on the floor. "Be careful, Valery or you will make your injury worse." He warned and I rolled my eyes as he sat beside me.
"That's what I'm trying to...look never mind. My ankle really hurts." I muttered and he shook his head, moving closer before he gently grasped my swollen ankle. "Hey!" I yelped but Roshani just ignored me, carefully lifted my leg onto his waist.
"I will be very careful. You are my injured mate after all." Roshani pointed out, leaning in to excamine my leg. "It looks very painful. You need to be more aware of your footing next time or you may not be so lucky."
"Why's that?" I asked and he sighed, lifting his head to stare at me.
"A wild animal would see you as injured prey and not hesitate to attack you." Roshani explained and I shuddered, realizing that without Roshani with me I could have been a meal for any number of carnivores in Oros. Seeing my face go pale he gave me a tiny smile. "Do not worry, Valery. I will keep my eyes on you." He added and I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling as his eyes travelled my body before they rested on my face again.
"Geeze any excuse to stare at my body. My eyes are up here, Roshani." I said though I couldn't help the smile on my face at having someone watching out for me. Still smiling I leant in, intending to kiss him until we both heard footsteps and I looked towards the doorway to find Sayla with a stone bowl in one hand.
"I have medicine for your injury, Valery." Sayla said, kneeling beside us as I shook my head. "This paste with help your ankle heal faster." She explained, dipping her hand into the bowl and I giggled as she wiped the paste over my ankle. "You will need to keep your weight off the ankle so it will heal."
"You are ticklish?" Roshani asked as I bit back my laughter, trying to keep still while Sayla finished coating my ankle with the thick green paste. Once she had finished she set the bowl between Roshani and I, rising to her feet.
"I need to return to Takkar so you will take care of her, Izila." Sayla told Roshani who looked at the bowl then Sayla who walked back to the entrance of the hut. "Make sure you take care of her as I will know if her ankle gets worse." She warned and I giggled at the face Roshani pulled as the gatherer left the hut.
"I can look after you without being threatened." Roshani answered as I burst into a fit of giggles that I was holding back. "Valery, that was not funny." He muttered and I shook my head, cheeks red from laughing.
"I was...not laughing at you." I told Roshani who stared at me then my ankle, his frown slowly chaning to a grin and I yelped when he gripped my ankle. Again I burst into a fit of giggles as he mercilessly tickled the ankle until I couldn't breathe without giggling.
"That made you stop laughing at me." Roshani smiled as I coughed, holding a hand against my stomach. "Now I'm going to get something to eat." He told me, standing and I tried to follow only to stumble at the shooting pain in my ankle. "You stay here and I'll bring you something back." Roshani said, helping me back to the rug. My leg aching I watched as he left the hut giving me another promise he would return.
He did a few minutes later, two bowls in hand, to find me trying to scratch my back. Once he sat beside me Roshani raised an eyebrow at me. "What are you doing, Valery?" He asked and I sighed, muttering something under my breath. "I don't understand."
"I said my back itches...well that and the back of my head. Must have been from the fall." I reapted, taking one of the bowls he offered me. As I started to eat I noticed him shift until he was sitting behind me. Pausing I tilted my head, curious and after he noticed me staring at him Roshani smiled.
"I am checking your back. It looks a little red so you may have picked up something." He told me and I nodded, watching as he turned his attention back to the food. After we finished eating Roshani climbed from the rug, making his way towards the entrance of the hut. "I will be back soon." He said, leaving me before I could ask where he was going.
I waited for a while, alternating between scratching the base of my neck and back, until Roshani returned. This time he brought in a bowl filled to the brim with water and when he moved to where I sat I noticed a cloth in his right hand.
"What is that for?" I asked and he grinned, crouching beside me before he set the bowl at his feet. Carefully he dunked the material in the water bowl and I raised both eyebrows, a little lost until he straighted. When he sat behind me I blinked, letting out a startled gasp as the now drenched material came into contact with the base of my neck. "Hey that's cold! What do you think you're doing?" I asked, gasping a little from the shock and he just smiled.
"You need to wash the grass from your skin or you will never stop itching." Roshani explained, this time pressing the cloth against my back and I snorted making him pause.
"I could just go and take a shower at a waterfall, Roshani." I pointed out, making an attempt to stand until my injured leg buckled. Catching me in his arms Roshani just shook his head and I frowned, still watching as he soaked the cloth again. After he placed it on my skin gently rubbing my back I actually smiled, enjoying the experience and noting how calm I was Roshani continued. "Now that does feel a little better." I told hiim and he grinned, rinsing the cloth but before he could continue I cupped his chin, pulling him into a kiss that left us both breathing pretty hard.
"I believe I earned that." Roshani whispered, resuming cleaning my skin and I leant my head against his shoulder, unable to stop a gasp as a few drops of water landed on my stomach. "Is that too cold?" He asked and I nodded, watching with confusion as he returned the cloth to the bowl. Eyes widening I watched as he lowered his face towards my stomach and I jerked when I felt the tip of his tongue glide over my bare flesh, brushing the water droplets away.
"Wow...you've never tried that before." I stammered, heart racing as Roshani's tongue slipped into my navel and I groaned as he lightly tongued it. "Any excuse..." I managed to mumble, closing my eyes as Roshani nipped at my skin. After a few more tourtous seconds Roshani straightened and I sighed, opening my eyes to find him looking directly at my face a tiny smile making his lips curl up. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"That face you are making...I like it." Roshani said and I rolled my eyes, biting back a yelp as he playfully pushed me back against the rug. Giggling I wrapped my arms around his slender waist, Roshani's face moving towards mine though just as our lips met I could hear footsteps heading towards our tent and I snorted. "They will not leave us alone will they?" He sighed, lifting his head as I glared at the doorway and Takkar.
"Apparently not. What do you want, Takkar?" I asked, staring at the leader of the Wenja.
"I came to seek your help but Valery is injured." Takkar told us and I blinked, a little confused. It took me a few seconds to think of a reply and by then Takkar had left the hut. I scrambled to my feet only to stumble and Roshani caught me, firmly holding me when I tried to follow Takkar.
"We have to go after him and..." I trailed off when Roshani narrowed his eyes at me, shaking his head. "Why not?"
"You are not even able to put weight on your leg. How will you help the Beast Master if you can't even stand?" Roshani asked me and I growled, attempting to push him away. Rolling his eyes Roshani relaxed his grip and I slipped from his grasp, trying to walk without putting any weight on my injury. Watching me hobble left Roshani with a tiny smile on his lips as he waited for me to finally admit I couldn't walk without help.
I made it outside into the sunshine before I couldn't take the pain any longer and I tripped, sprawling onto the ground before Roshani could catch me. Sitting there I glared up at him like it was the commander's fault though he just shrugged before he knelt. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders he gently straightened, letting me lean on him as I climbed back onto my feet.
"Alright so I can't walk. This isn't funny, Roshani." I grumbled, yelping as he lifted me into his arms. "Could you stop doing that? Or at least warn me when you do that?"
"I enjoy making you cry out." Roshani pointed out carrying me towards Takkar who raised an eyebrow at us both. "In more ways than one." He added as I blushed, realizing exactly how that sounded.