Moordryd couldn't believe that his own father did this but as I lay motionless on a sleeping mat, he knelt and reached for my hand trying not to wince as he saw the burn marks on my neck. Without lifting the whole of my jacket Moordryd knew that the burn he could see poking out of the side of the hem extended further.
"Rayne...why did he do this to you?" He whispered as he watched my chest rise and fall, unable or maybe just unwilling to believe that the man who raised him could harm someone inncocent. "Just to keep tabs on me or was it something else..." He trailed off when he heard the sound of footsteps though he didn't remove his hand, not caring if someone noticed the firm grip he had on me. "What do you want, stablebrat?" He growled as Artha appeared just inside the doorway.
"You know that's...look never mind. How's Rayne?" He asked, walking over and kneeling beside his rival and me.
"Still unconcious if that's what you mean. If my father's angry at me, why take it out on her? Rayne did nothing wrong and now she's..." He trailed off, swallowing the lump in his throat as he stared down at my face. At least now I wasn't in pain but I would be the moment I woke and Moordryd sighed, not looking forward to that.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Artha offered, expecting Moordryd to give him the brush off but instead Moordryd chewed on his lip for a moment.
"Can you bring her some water? Maybe some painkillers? In case she wakes up and..." Moordryd couldn't finish, afraid that I might wake up screaming from the burns that no doubt were seared into my flesh. With a slight nod, Artha left and once he was out of earshot Moordryd sat back setting my hand back on my stomach. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let you go and now you're hurt because of me." He whispered. While I was unconcious I could still hear his words and as I willed my body to respond, to wake up or at the very least open my eyes I could hear everything.
Moordryd you didn't cause this so why are you getting upset, I thought as I lay beside him. Or at least I think I was, its hard to tell when you're out cold. Soon I became aware of footsteps and I smiled, in my mind I suppose, as Lance hurried in almost smacking into Moordryd. Usually Moordryd would have given the youngest member of the Penn Stables an annoyed look or called him a 'stablebrat' though as Lance knelt beside me as well he just sighed.
"Sorry Moordryd. Is she awake yet?" He asked and Moordryd rolled his eyes for a moment before his gaze settled on me. "Oh yeah. Sorry." He muttered and Moordryd actually chuckled.
"Don't worry about it, minibrat. Rayne's just sleeping, like always." Moordryd replied and had I been awake I would have taken offense. "Hope she wakes up soon. At least that gear's gone." He added as he stared down at my forehead and the slight mark left by the black draconium gear that had previously been almost merged to my head.
"Yeah. So Quiksilva really fried the controller with a mag blast?" Lance asked and that made me laugh though as I was still completely out I groaned instead. "Huh is she awake?"
"I think Rayne's dreaming." Moordryd said, looking down at me as my head shifted from one side to the other.
"Wonder what she's dreaming about?" Lance asked as I sighed, aware of what was going on around me though I was powerless to even more. Soon I could sense someone calling out to me and unabel to resist I watched as Bianca walked towards me.
I grinned then, happy to see her again even if she was only a figment of my imagination. As if she could read my thoughts I heard a sudden laugh.
"Actually I'm still linked to your gauntlet so..." Bianca paused as I blushed, feeling more than a little stupid and she smiled at me. "You're not dumb. Besides you managed to fight the control Word had on your mind."
"Yeah but I still said some really hurtful things to Moordryd. How could I be so cruel and after everything we've been through?" I answered, tears running down my cheeks and Bianca sighed as I sniffed.
"You weren't responsible for your actions. Besides Moordryd is taking care of you and that proves he still cares. Give yourselves time to work things out." She told me and I nodded, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand. "I will see you again." Bianca added as my dream began to fade and as she vanished I tried to speak only for a groan to emerge from my throat. The last thing I heard before the dream ended was the sound of her laughter.
"I think she's coming around. Rayne?" Artha said, returning with a glass of crystal clear water and two small tablets and Moordryd almost leapt up from his sleeping mat, still half asleep. As he focused on me, I shivered before I let out another groan and to his relief my eyes slowly opened. Immediately I closed my eyes, grimacing as my head throbbed from a headache and the bright light.
"Hey are you okay?" Moordryd asked as I coughed, clearing my throat before I answered.
"Not really. Where...am I right now?" I asked, my voice sounded weak and when I coughed again I felt his fingers brush my forehead.
"Here takes these. It'll make you feel better." Artha said, kneeling beside me and offering a glass and the two tablets. "They're asprin, pretty strong too." He added as I reached over, my hand shaking a little, taking the tablets from him and swallowing them. After taking a sip of water, mostly to cover up the bitter taste, I lay back.
"Feels like I'm on fire." I mumbled, suddenly feeling really sleepy and before Moordryd's eyes my vision began to fade.
Hours passed and deeply asleep I didn't even hear anyone enter the stables but from time to time I felt someone stroke my forehead. Somehow knowing I wasn't well, Quiksilva snuck out of his stable and followed my scent. When he found my lying on a sleeping mat he snorted and wandered over, letting out a snort once he reached my sleeping form. Gently he nuzzled my head and getting no response he snorted, not sure what was wrong with me. When he nudged me again and I groaned, my head shifting to one side he rolled his eyes.
"No use doing that, Rayne's almost impossible to wake until she wants to. Just let her sleep." Moordryd told the dragon, appearing in the doorway and Quiksilva growled not at all happy that I was hurt. "Rayne will be fine. Besides she is the Light Booster after all."
"Please...stop talking." I groaned my eyes slowly opening and Quiksilva instantly nuzzled my head. When he licked my face I giggled, despite feeling like I'd been stepped on by a wraith and to my side Moordryd rolled his eyes.
"No matter how many times you ask that its not going to happen." Moordryd told me, walking over and kneeling beside me. I stared up at him, head still throbbing though as he gently stroked my forehead I began to feel just a tiny bit better. "So why ask?"
"I guess I'm just wishing for something that's never going to happen, huh?" I answered, eyes closing as I focused on his fingers stroking my head. "I'm...really sorry." I sighed almost a minute later and he paused, staring at my face.
"Okay why are you sorry? You haven't done anything wrong to...oh the gear thing." He muttered before his eyes went wide, staring in shock as tears began to slowly run down my face. "Hey its not that bad." He quickly said, hoping I wouldn't start bawling.
"But it is. I said the most awful things about you and I didn't mean to. I don't deserve to be forgiven." I sniffed reaching up to wipe my eyes. Just as I did I felt something, a slight vibration nearby and when I opened my eyes I found myself almost nose to nose with Moordryd. "Why are you being so nice when I...aghh!" I moaned as he poked my jacket and as I gasped, breath coming in whimpers Moordryd frowned.
"You got burned pretty badly." Moordryd told me, reaching down and with a sharp tug my jacket ended up under my armpits giving me and Moordryd a good view of my bra. I blushed furiously despite the pain radiating through my body but he just frowned. "See what I mean?" He added as I looked down, tears springing to my eyes as I saw the full extent of my injuries.
"Oh...scales." I muttered, eyes wide as I caught sight of the red angry looking, and very painful, burns that covered my stomach. Unable to stop myself I reached down and pressed my open palm against the burn closest to my chest, only to almost instantly regret it when the pain made me cry out. "Ow...ow...ow." I gasped, my eyes scrunching shut as I silently begged the pain to go away.
"Rayne? You okay?" Moordryd asked and I growled, letting him know what I thought about that question and I swear he chuckled. "Yeah I know but I did warn you." He said as he wrapped one arm carefully around my waist and held me against his chest, combing the fingers of his free hand through my hair. Despite the pain of my burns that one gesture seemed to help, if only a little and I found myself leaning against his chest.
"Thanks...for being there." I whispered as my eyes drifted closed, letting out a sigh as I fought the urge to sleep. Pretty soon though my head lolled back and as my breathing slowed I heard a faint laugh before I dozed off. Moordryd at first thought I'd passed out but when he looked closer at my face he sighed, relieved when he saw the slight smile on my lips and heard my slow and even breathing. Moordryd had intended to watch over me until I woke and after sitting back he wrapped his arm across my waist. Just as he had closed his eyes he heard the sounds of footsteps and his eyes sprang open, finding Connor standing beside him.
"Sorry if I woke you but I came past to check on Rayne's burns." Connor explained as he knelt beside me and Moordryd. "Has she woken up at any point?"
"Yeah a little while ago. She took the painkillers Artha gave her and then she just fell asleep. Will she be okay?" Moordryd asked and after carefully checking my burns, Connor gave him a slight nod.
"She will be if you put this on her burns. They'll heal faster. If you need anything just call." Connor told him, handing over a small bottle and a roll of bandages and after thanking Artha's dad, Moordryd looked down at my face. Right now I was sleeping peacefully, no nightmares or anything and he grinned at me. By the time he looked up, Moordryd noticed that Connor had already left and he sighed grateful that someone else wanted to help. Looking carefully at the bottle he shrugged and after carefully lifting the edge of my shirt he set to work on my burns. A few minutes later he grinned, satetisfied with his efforts and as he finished wrapping my stomach he let out a yawn. Setting down the bottle he lay down, resting his arms behind his head.
This time when Moordryd closed his eyes no one else walked in and soon he fell into a light doze. Unfortunately for him, he only managed to catch an hour of sleep before I mumbled something and Moordryd jolted awake eyes instantly searching my face.
"Rayne...you awake?" He yawned, taking one arm from my waist to rub his eyes and after a few seconds of silence my eyes slowly opened.
"Moordryd?" I whispered and when my eyes finally focused on him I saw a slight grin on his lips. "Did I wake you?" Still grinning, Moordryd slowly shook his head at me. "That's good to know." I muttered as I sat up slowly and he gave me a slight smile, readjusting his grip on me. As he did I noticed he avoided touching my middle and I sighed, knowing full well why.
"Don't freak out or anything but...they're still there." Moordryd told me as I stared into his pale eyes, hoping that I'd been dreaming and that I wasn't really hurt. "Its not that bad. Besides I've been looking after you since you fainted. Take a look."
Not sure what he meant I raised an eyebrow and he chuckled in return, taking an arm off me and motioning towards my shirt. Curious I reached down and taking a deep breath I lifted the edge of my shirt, only to let out a gasp when I saw the bandages covering my stomach. When my face fell, eyes closing for a brief moment, Moordryd gave me a one-armed hug gently kissing the top of my head.
"Just like before." I sighed as my eyes opened, only for Moordryd to shake his head at me and I frowned not sure why he looked so happy. "Okay its not funny."
"I'm not laughing at you." Moordryd protested as I fixed him with a glare. "Look I only wrapped you up so the cream wouldn't end up on your shirt."
"Huh so you did look after me? Even after everything I've done to you?" I said and Moordryd frowned as my lip quivered. But to his relief I didn't cry, instead leaning against him. "Okay if I promise I'll stop talking about what happened will you stay with me?' I asked, letting out a yawn and Moordryd grinned. Wrapping his arms around me he rested his head against mine.
"Yeah sure." Moordryd finally answered and I grinned. "At least until you do something stupid again anyway." He added a few seconds later and I rolled my eyes at him, earning myself a laugh. When I went silent, Moordryd thought that maybe I had fallen asleep and he grinned to himself closing his eyes. But he woke a few minutes later when I spoke and he sighed, trying not to get annoyed at me.
"Sorry but I'm kind of hungry." I said and he rolled his eyes at me, making me frown at him. "Hmph that's not funny." I added, crossing my arms against my chest and he chuckled before he released his grip on me.
"Fine I'll go and get you something. Wait here." Moordryd sighed and I gave him a slight smile before he turned and headed for the doorway. "Feels like I'm her servant not her boyfriend." He grumbled as I made myself comfortable on the sleeping mat and as soon as he left the stables I looked down at the floor.
"Great just when I think my life couldn't get any worse, this happens." I sighed as I waited for Moordryd to return, hopefully with something edible though you couldn't been too sure the way Artha cooks. As I waited I heard slightly louder footsteps and I grinned as Quiksilva popped his head around the doorway, giving me a dragon-sized grin once he saw I was awake. "Hey 'silva. Come on in." I called and he gave me a snort, almost bowling me over until he remembered I was injured and he carefully nuzzled me. "I'll be fine, just need to rest for a while. Anyway I was just thinking we could work on our training for the next race."
Right now? Quiksilva snorted giving me a blank stare and I laughed reaching up slightly and giving his snout a stroke.
"I meant when I've healed, not right now." I added and he snorted, licking my face and I grinned at him. "Besides I don't think Moordryd would let me anyway." I added and that's when we both heard a cough.
"Wouldn't let you what?" Artha asked, appearing in the doorway and I rolled his eyes at him as he wandered over.
"Moordryd said he'd get me something to eat. Hopefully he won't get lost." I replied as Quiksilva lay behind me, resting his head on my lap. "Though after last time he probably will." I grinned and Quiksilva laughed. I was pretty comfortable just sitting there patting my dragon and before long I started to nod off my head sinking towards my chest. And that's right when I heard a cough, making my head shoot up just as Moordryd walked towards me.
"I leave you along for five minutes and you fall asleep. Typical." Moordryd chuckled and I frowned, crossing my arms only to wince just as soon as I touched the burns. "I was just kidding." Kneeling beside me, Moordryd noticed that despite my pain I still managed to give him an frown. "Huh I guess you don't want this then." He said just as I caught sight of the bowl and the wonderful smell waffting from it.
"No, no I really want it." I hurried answered, only to realize that he had no intention of leaving and I sighed. "Thanks Moordryd." I added as he carefully handed it to me and the second he handed me a spoon I dug in.
After a moment he sat beside me, once I made room and as he watched me practically devour my food he grinned at me. "Try swallowing." He chuckled and I lifted my head for a moment.
"Sut ahp." I muttered and getting a blank stare I swallowed. "I said shut up." I repeated and Moordryd burst out laughing, earning an eyeroll before I went back to eating. In a short space of time the bowl had been licked clean, literally as Moordryd looked on cringing a little before I set the bowl down in front of me. "Much better." I sighed as I wiped my mouth, letting out a burp as I leant my head back. Quiksilva glanced at the bowl then stared at me, amber eyes going wide and I grinned at him.
"I'm guessing that you enjoyed your meal." Moordryd said and I gave him a slight nod before I yawned. Then as he watched I leant back against Quiksilva, eyes closing and in the time it took to blink I had fallen asleep again both arms lying across my lap. "Hmph no thank you or anything." He muttered as he retrieved the empty bowl, being careful not to touch any part of the bowl I'd licked, and as he climbed to his feet he looked down at me. "But since you're hurt...I suppose I can ignore that." He whispered as I sighed, a content smile on my face and Quiksilva snorted as he nuzzled my head.
Taking the bowl back to the kitchen, Moordryd couldn't help wondering if I was really alright since I did have some nasty burns. By the time he dumped the bowl in the kitchen sink, Moordryd shook his head when his mind kept wandering back to me.
I must be crazy, worrying about her and not my races or fighting the Dragon Booster, Moordryd though to himself as he made his way back to the stables. Though as soon as he cleared the doorway he stopped for a moment, looking on as I mumbled something and turned to one side. Though I suppose you are very cute when you're not running headlong into danger or putting me at risk, he thought leaning against the wall. When Quiksilva lifted his head and stared at Moordryd the Dragon Eyes' leader grinned at the dragon.
"Yeah even if she can be a nuisance at times I guess I do care about her. Just don't let her know I said that otherwise I'll never live it down." Moordryd told Quiksilva and he nodded at the white-haired rider. As he walked closer I shifted slightly, my body tensing up for a few seconds and he paused concerned. Then I relaxed and he soon knelt beside me, gently running his fingers through my hair. Out cold I didn't even react and that made him smile before he suddenly yawned. "Hmph don't know where that came from." Moordryd muttered and Quiksilva rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. "Okay fine I suppose I'm a little tired..." Of course that's right when Moordryd yawned again and Quiksilva snorted at him, moving his head back.
It took a few seconds until Moordryd realized my dragon was making space so he could rest beside me and he grinned, moving into the space and giving my dragon a grateful pat on the snout. The moment he sat down I leant over and my head pressed against Moordryd's shoulder, almost as if I knew he was there and he chuckled. Silently he shifted and wrapped an arm loosely around my waist as I snuggled against him. Once he made himself comfortable, Moordryd allowed his mind to rest and in seconds the rest of him followed as he fell into a light sleep.
At some point I found myself waking and as I lay there, wanting to go back to sleep, I felt an arm loosely drapped around my waist. Even without opening my eyes I somehow knew it was Moordryd and as I listened to his light breathing, unlike mine when I sometimes snored, I felt myself slowly dozing. Maybe it was due to his close promixity or his body heat but I felt safe just being near him. And a few seconds later I dozed off, unaware he had woken up when I did having felt me shift in his arms though the moment I settled, he sighed and went right back to sleep.
Having someone wake you by contantly prodding you isn't the best way to wake up. I tried covering my face with my arm, keeping my eyes firmly closed but whoever it was let out a laugh. This time I felt my arm being poked by what I assumed was a Jakk Stick. Letting out a angry growl I rolled onto my side, slowly opening my eyes to find Artha and Lance standing over me.
"Okay why are you two bugging me? Haven't I been through enough to earn a rest?" I complained as I sat up, being careful not to wake my sleeping boyfriend who made a snorting noise and turned over.
"Before you get mad we came past to ask you something." Artha said, watching as I rubbed at my eyes. "Its about that gauntlet you have."
"Yeah what did you want to know? And couldn't this have waited until morning?" I replied and Lance laughed, making me raise an eyebrow at him.
"Actually its 10am. You've been asleep, and snoring, for the last nine hours." Artha chuckled and I stared at him for a few seconds, eyes wide. "Relax. After everything Word Paynn put you through I'm not really that shocked."
"Oh okay." I muttered, looking down at Moordryd for a moment who hadn't moved an inch. "Typical he can sleep in and I can't." I grumbled, glancing down at my boyfriend for a moment. "So what else did you need?" I asked as I looked up at Artha and Lance, the latter letting out a laugh.
"Dad wanted to see how you were. That and get you to train with me." Artha answered and I raised an eyebrow at him, causing him to shrug at me. "Yeah I know but you kinda need training...a lot." He added and I growled at him, knowing full well he was telling the truth. Though every time I tried to train something happened so forgive me for being a little hesitant.
"Okay let's go." I sighed taking the hand that was offered to me and after helping me up, Artha and Lance led me towards the stables' doorway. As we left I gave Moordryd one glance and seeing him still curled up beside my dragon. For a moment I stared at him then Quiksilva and my dragon raised his head, motioning his head towards my boyfriend silently telling me that he would keep watch over Moordryd. Giving him a nod I followed Artha, trying my hardest to ignore the pains from my burns.