Roshani cracked open his eyes when he felt someone grasp his hands, his shoulders tensing until his vision cleared. He felt a weak smile cross his lips when I leaned in, brushing a light kiss on his forehead and his smile grew somehow finding the strength to push himself up enough to kiss me. When we broke apart and I gently helped him lie back on the animal skins he squeezed my hands, noticing for the first time my red eyes.
"Valery, you need not cry." Roshani insisted when I sighed, touching his cheek as he stared up at me. "I will heal from my wounds." He added and I nodded, helping him sit when he pushed at the ground beneath the skins.
"We should get back to my hut," I told him as I helped him to his feet, letting my husband lean on my shoulder. As I draped an arm around his waist and the other around his shoulders he fixed me with a tiny smile despite the dull pain radiating from his stomach. "It's closer than yours, Roshani," I added as soon as I saw him grinning at me but he just snorted at me when I narrowed my eyes focusing all of my effort on making our way back to my hut. It took much longer than I had hoped to reach my hut and as soon as I set Roshani down on the animal skins that served as a bed I groaned, wincing a little as I sat beside him.
"Am I that heavy, Valery?" Roshani teased and I sighed, stretching my arms and legs before I turned my head to see him staring at me with a faint smile on his lips.
"Of course you're not heavy I'm just...weaker than I thought." I groaned and he shook his head, draping an arm around my neck when I rubbed the back of my neck as I winced.
"You will never be weak to me, Valery. Besides, you did not drop me once, and for that, I am very grateful." Roshani joked and I tried to smile, I really did but fresh tears filled my eyes and he sighed. When I rested my head on his shoulder I started to weep and he held me close both of us careful not to brush his healing wound as I cried.
I hadn't even realised I'd fallen asleep but when I stirred I found myself lying face to face with the ex-commander, his chest rising and falling as he slept. Even when I reached over, brushing his cheek he just sighed and I smiled at him knowing that Roshani needed as much rest as he could get to recover from the bear's attack.
I only left my husband's side to bring us back food and to relieve myself but when I returned to the tent he now shared with me I found Roshani sitting on the animal skin rug. Which bought a smile to my face as he scratched at the leaves keeping his wound closed.
"Roshani, you need to stop scratching your stomach. Unless you want Tensay to redress it." I pointed out and he snorted, rolling his eyes like he'd seen me do more than once when I was being difficult. "You know that's kind of rude," I added, giving him a tiny grin when his hand froze near his stomach.
"It is, Valery?" Roshani asked, eyes wide as I sat next to him cradling two bowls against my chest. Once he saw me grinning at him he let out a breath giving me a smile in return as he took one of the bowls. "That is a relief. I am feeling much better today."
"That's good to know. You haven't been feeling very well have you?" I asked and he grimaced, reminded of the day before. "Sorry I probably shouldn't have reminded you," I added pulling a face but he just leaned over as much as he could lightly patting my hand.
"Valery, you were very good to me," Roshani answered, moving his attention back to the cooked meat and as he started to eat I gave him a tiny nod. Seeing him with his appetite back made me feel very more positive that he was healing and getting stronger as Tensay had assured me he would. Once I saw Roshani had finished his own meat I gently pushed my bowl into his hands and he blinked at me looking unsure until I nodded at him.
"You could use the food more than I could. Go right ahead." I told him and after a pause he gave my cheek a quick peck, finishing what I'd left within a few minutes. As soon as he yawned I can't help giggling and with two darkened cheeks and some barely contained laughter Roshani lay back, watching me with a faint smile on his lips as sleep overcomes him.
I can barely focus and when Sayla cleared her throat I blinked, looking up to find the gatherer giving me a smile. "You are still thinking about Roshani aren't you?"
"Of course, Sayla. After that bear attacked us and I saw Roshani bleeding I just..." I trailed off, hurriedly wiping at my suddenly wet eyes and she just nodded not taking her eyes from me as I quickly return to fixing the woven bowl Sayla had shown me how to make. "Anyway, I'll go back and check on him soon. He's probably awake and wondering where I disappeared to." I muttered, trying to finish my work as quickly as I could.
It seemed like hours before I managed to return to my hut but as I pushed open the furs covering the entrance I froze, my eyes on the rug and no sign of Roshani. I stepped forward trying not to drop the bowl of water I'd brought him as I continued to stare at the empty spot where my husband should be my shoulders trembling and my mind already whirling with possible reasons for why he's missing.
His wounds could be infected and he could have a fever and be lost in the forest. He could have wandered away and gotten hurt or a wild animal could have attacked him.
A pair of arms encircling my waist made me yelp and as the bowl shattered on the floor my head turned enough to see Roshani grinning at me. Though his grin vanished when he saw me staring at him with two wide eyes and as I panted he blinked, concerned.
"Valery, what is the matter?" He asked, surprised as I continued to stare at him for long enough to make him uneasy. When I finally let out a breath he blinked my hands moving down and when clasped his own together with mine my shoulders quivering he pressed a kiss to my neck.
"Where did you go? I came back and found that you'd disappeared." I replied in a small voice and he sighed, turning me around enough to face me.
"I drank too much water," Roshani answered with two slightly red cheeks and after a long silence, I managed a weak laugh, draping my arms around his neck before I pressed my head under his chin. "But I am fine now and I would not leave you for anything else."
"Glad to hear that, Roshani but next time give me some warning first. After everything that's happened, I can't help being a little worried." I replied and he chuckled at me, cupping my chin before he delivered a kiss that I felt with my whole body.