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

Chapter 19: Not Much Choice

—Sinbad's POV—

I hate this so much.

There's this lump in my throat and tightness in my chest as I look at her.

Leila is on her side coughing painfully. She's soaked to the bone. Blood still drips from the cuts on her wrists and neck where the cuffs are. Regardless of what happened, she must have struggled.

With a deep breath, I force my feet to let me move closer to her. Every breath from her is a challenge and shallow, frequently interrupted by coughs. Gently, I push her wet hair away from her face as the strands tangle together. Her skin is damp and cold.

I thought she would be safe for at least a while, but it's hardly been a week and she's worse off.

Mom would kill me if she knew what I'm about to do.

I reach over and lift her up a bit before tugging her wet dress up. It takes only a minute, before I have the wet item on the floor and a bare Leila in my lap. I look away feeling terrible for doing this, but I don't have much choice.

Leila shiver and coughs before snuggling against my legs in an attempt to stay warm. It's hard to look at her right now. I feel like a creep for doing this, but she needs someone to take care of her for right now. I let my hand roam her back, feeling the cuts and injuries under my finger tips. I can only imagine how often she's been whipped. This earns a soft whimper and cough from Leila.

I fight every instinct and examine Leila. Besides her back, her body is covered in injuries. Most of the cuts and open wounds are closing, but dark bruising makes up for it. I can practically count her ribs just by looking at her side.

Reluctantly, I lift Leila from my lap and lay her down. She winces and shivers as I let go. My eyes never leave her as I go towards the stove in the room. I had lit a fire in there before and set anything I could possibly need to help her. I take two towels, now warmed significantly.

In quick motions, I cover Leila with the one towel and begin to dry her off with the other. It's hard to not smile as she relaxes a bit, but I focus on the task at hand.

It takes a while, but I get the chance to treat all of Leila's injuries that needed it and dry her as best I can. Now all that's left it to dress her and get her somewhere safe to rest.

I leave the one towel in place before easily lifting Leila into my arms. She winces slightly before coughing again as I move towards the stove. I lay her on one of the blankets I had laid out before wiping her mouth. The water is slightly red causing me to feel sick. She may be hurt worse than I'm capable of helping with.

With quick and gentle motions I get her dressed in warm clean clothes. Leila remains unconscious though. I take the last blanket that I brought with me and wrap it around Leila.

"Oh my." I flinch, but continue to focus on Leila. "What happened in here?"

"The guards indicated that Leila was in need of help. I figured that I would see to it. To make sure she'll be fit enough to serve you."

"She is in pitiful condition now." I watch Maader come over. She nudges Leila with her foot. It takes everything I have to keep from stopping Maader. "At this point she isn't of much use to me."

"I think she could be though." Maader turns towards me with a look of urging. I turn back towards Leila, who's still shivering. "Leila grows loyal to those that show kindness. Punishing her, while well deserved, will most likely result in her refusing to be a good child for you. If we begin to allow her some rights, she'll be one your best behaved children."

"Hm…"

I watch Maader lean over Leila. Based on her expression, she's honestly considering it.

"I give you permission to try." Maader smiles at me, so I smile back even though it makes me sick. "Just know that if this doesn't work, you both will need to be punished."

"I understand." My solemn response luckily is convincing as Maader moves to leave.

"You're one of the best children I've had in quite some time Sinbad. Help Leila realize everything and I'll be sure to remember this. You have four days until I'm back from my trip."

"I will."

I let my shoulders fall as the door is shut quietly. Focusing on Leila once again, I can't help but chuckle.

"You hardly listen to me," I tease in a whisper even though Leila can't hear me. "It would have to be the end of the world if you listened to someone like Maader."

The silence from Leila is killing me.

I move to lean her against my chest and shoulder as I wrap my arms firmly around her. Kissing her forehead, she lets out a soft little noise.

"You're okay." Leila doesn't respond to my whispered comments, but just hearing her breathing right now is a relief.

In a quick and steady motion, I pick her up. Blankets and all. This earns a weak whimper as I move towards the main areas. I still have things I have to do and don't want to leave Leila alone.

The entire walk, I ignore the whispers of the other slaves. Question about Leila. Right now it isn't a concern.

Once I get to the room I'm assigned to, I slide Leila gently onto the bed and adjust the blankets around her. She needs rest more than anything in the world right now.

"Masrur." I turn to find the young Fanalis standing there just as expected. "Tell the other high ranks to monitor everything for today. Maader gave me a specific task and I need to look after Leila."

He leaves, so I assume that is what he's doing.

I sit down next to Leila and reach over. Slowly, I brush my thumb over her lower lip.

Did kissing her do more harm than good? Maybe it was the wrong time, but I wanted to show her that she didn't have to worry about Serendine. Maybe I should have just told her. Before she was terrified of me touching her.

I move my hand as Leila starts to gasp before beginning to cough. I turn her head and pull her onto her side. She coughs up a bit more water, but it would have been enough for her to choke on.

"Why aren't you more careful?" She doesn't answer as I wipe the water away. "I can only do so much when you don't take care of yourself."

I sit there with Leila silently as she relaxes more and more. Eventually, she's warmed up enough that I'm not worried about that, but she'll still cough.

I move and lay down next to her, my one arm still around her back to keep her on her side.

I watch Leila as she lets out a soft whimper. Her eyes flutter for just a moment. She shift closer to me, trying to bury her face in my chest.

"Can you hear me?"

I watch Leila blink with a little groan. Her dark gray eyes land on me and stay there. She's confused. She turns slightly, her eyes scanning the room and everyone here.

"Hey," I whisper tilting her chin towards me. She looks at me again. "Focus on me."

She nods and take a very uneasy breath so I pull her closer. I just wait until she's a little calmer. Her gray eye hold so much fear.

"Do you remember what happened? You've been coughing up water. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Leila hesitates continuing to press herself up against me.

"Water boarding." She flinches as she speaks and her voice is raw and jagged. The kids are still whispering and asking questions.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" After a pause Leila shakes her head. I start to sit up. If the kids give her some space, Leila will feel better. "Then get some rest."

Leila grips my hand lightly.

"I'm not leaving, but 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?" Leila stops and begins to cough. There's more water and it's red again as I start to rub her back. She's pale and her eyes are dazed and heavy.

"If you can help it, don't talk right now." Leila nods weakly as I shift closer. She edges just a bit closer to me, shaking a bit. I start to comb through her hair with my fingers. "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?"

Leila nods as she shuts her eyes. She's tired and it's cute how she continues to snuggle close for warmth. She seems relieved and calmer.

"We're together now," I whisper to her. She hums softly, already half asleep. "And I don't intend on leaving you alone like that again."

Leila mumbles a bit and coughs a little. I lean closer and kiss her forehead. She's here now and she's strong. Maader still can't break her and I don't think anyone can. Not her.