Chapter 5
"Why?" Murtagh asked, surprised at Amirah's question. "Would you like me to try and heal it?" she asked. He looked shocked. "Why would you want to waste such a substantial amount of energy on me?" he asked. She smiled. "It won't take much energy at all. I can do it easily." Murtagh hesitated for a moment. "I would like that," he said finally. "Take off your shirt," Amirah ordered. He sighed deeply, but obeyed. Amirah reached out and turned him around forcibly, drawing in her breath at the sight of the terrible scar. She touched it softly, tracing her fingers along its lines with a look of horror. Blinking back tears, she laid her palm on his shoulder. "Murtagh . . ." she whispered hoarsely.
He turned to face her, his face red with embarrassment. "If you can't even stand to look at it . . ." His voice trailed off as he looked down at her, his breath catching in his throat. "You are beautiful," Murtagh said and leaned down to kiss her. For a brief moment, their lips met. Amirah leaned into him and his arms came around her, pulling her closer. As suddenly as it happened, the moment was gone. Murtagh's eyes opened in shock and he pushed her away. "Forgive me," he whispered. "For what?" Amirah asked, trying to catch her breath. "You should leave," Murtagh said, walking over to the door. "I will not insult your father after he has shown me the kindness of not killing me outright."
Amirah stood up straight, her eyes brimming with tears. "If that is what you want," she whispered, turning around and walking away with her head held high. At the door, she hesitated and turned back. "Murtagh . . . Nasuada and I will remain to fight. I tell you this because, in case Nasuada and I die in this battle, I want someone to tell my father how much I loved and respected him. Will you do that for me?" Murtagh looked appalled. "What do you mean, you're staying? I thought you were leaving! You said you only wished you could stay!" "No. We decided long ago we would always remain by our father's side," Amirah said sadly. "Why do you tell me this?" Murtagh asked hoarsely. "Because I know I might die," she whispered. "Because of all the other people in the world I know, you are the one I would want to carry the message."
She stepped closer to him. "I don't know you, Murtagh, but from the moment I saw your face I have not stopped thinking about you." He looked at her, stricken. "I can't stop thinking about you, either," he admitted. "If everything was different . . ." She smiled. "I understand." Murtagh watched as Amirah reached the door. "Amirah," he said quietly. She turned around as he strode toward her and took her in his arms. He held her tightly against him, his hands in her hair. "I don't want anything to happen to you," he said. "Please go to Surda." She shivered at his nearness and melted into him. "I can't leave my father," she whispered. "Nor can I leave you."
Amirah looked up just as Murtagh leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. Automatically, her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. After several minutes, he broke away from her only to whisper in her ear "Amirah, I think I love you. I don't know how or why. I don't know you." "I think I love you too," she gasped as his lips nibbled her earlobe. "I want you to go to Surda, Amirah," he whispered. Her eyes closed, holding back tears. "I can't," she answered. "I won't." "I don't want to lose the chance to make myself worthy to have you," Murtagh told her. "I want to fight this battle knowing you're safe and waiting for me. I want to prove to your father that Morzan may have sired me, but he was not my father."
Her hands reached up and cupped his cheeks. "Murtagh, I will not leave when I am needed. I can't leave my loved ones behind to fight while I wait in safety. Please don't ask me to." He studied her for several moments. "Then promise me you will be careful," he said finally. "I promise," Amirah whispered. A knock sounded from the door. Amirah and Murtagh jumped in fear and stepped apart just as Eragon opened the door and walked in. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked from one to the other. His expression rapidly changed from shock to recognition to horror. "Murtagh . . ." he began. "I . . . I must go," Amirah stammered, her throat dry with fear. Murtagh's eyes followed her longingly as she ran out the door.