Chapter 14

In an instant, a dark figure lunges at me, catching me off guard.

We crash to the ground, Jason holding me as his back slams into a rock.

"General!" I climb out of his arms, face ashen.

"Are you all right?"

He grimaces, but shakes his head.

"I'm all right."

His eyes are grave.

"That was foolhardy."

Tears come to my eyes. "I'm sorry . . ."

Seeing my expression, his voice softens.

"Don't let it happen again."

I nod my head and reach out to help him to his feet.

"Let me take you back."

He starts to refuse. The sight of my red rimmed eyes stops him.

He lets me help him.

We ride back together, I nestled against his breast and the pulse of his heart strong and steady. I steal a glance and smile and lean closer.

That night I knock at his door carrying a bowl of the medicinal soup I have prepared myself. "Come in," he calls, voice low.

He is seated at his desk, absorbed in the military reports, his back straight even in spite of his tumble. "It is time for your medicine," says I, setting the bowl on the table.

He glances at it, "O! no need. Just a bruise."

I frown. "Then the healer said your back was banged up, and you need this."

He does not budge. "Leave it alone."

I pursed my lips and then went for his belt.

“Well, I'll rub it on myself.”

He caught my wrist from point.

There was depth in his eyes.

“Leah.”

“Eh?” I blinked innocently at him.

“We are mates. What in the world is there to hide?”

His throat moved and he freed me.

“I will do it.”

“You can't reach your back,” I insisted.

“Let me.”

He hesitated some and then turned and let me do it.

I slipped off his shirt and exposed his muscular back where a brutal bruise marred the shoulder blade, and where it had been liberally streaked with the scratch marks made by the claws.

I felt the tears sting in my nose. I touched the bruise gingerly. “Does that hurt?”

He stiffened up and his voice was a trifle hoarse.

“No.”

I rubbed the salve on, his breath coming in gasps and his hands clenched by his sides. “There!”

I said, pulling his shirt up.

“Now drink the medicine!”

He swallowed it, shivering with the bitter taste of the drug.

I handed him a piece of candied fruit. “Here.”

He hesitated a second and then took it, the sweetness of it softening the frown on his brow. I propped my chin up on my hand and watched him.

“Jason, why are you so good to me?”

A flicker of light came into his eyes.

“Because you are my mate.”

“That is all?”

I pleaded. He was silent a moment.

“It is getting late. Go to bed.”

I wilted down a bit, but did not try to push it along. At the door I turned back, remarked, “Good night, Jason.”

He looked up, the expression in his eyes being complex.

“Good night.”

I smiled as the door clicked shut.

When I lay awake in my own room with my eyes fixed on the silver moonbeams my eyes saw with his kindness to me.

My heart protested at his holding me so far away from him.

He had been so absolutely good to me about everything but would not let me come too close. I sighed looking at the halo of stars.