Page 6 of Goddess of the Broken
“We would appreciate your discretion about us being here,” Tempest said, turning to look at Tavora. “We wouldn’t want any trouble to follow us back.”
“Of course. I’ll leave you to it. Come over when you’re ready and grab something to feed him when he wakes up.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Tempest turned back to Aiden as the woman left.
After wiping the rest of the blood from his face, she began dabbing salve onto his wounds. Aiden groaned, then slowly opened his eyes.
Tempest pulled her hand back. “Welcome back, Emperor Aiden.”
He quickly turned towards her, then flinched and let out another groan. “Why did I just do that?”
“Are you all right?”
Aiden stared at her in silence for a moment. “Who are you?”
Tempest sighed. “I thought we already went over this.” She pointed towards her chest. “Tem-pest. Just how hard did they hit you?”
“I saw… you. Vaguely.” His brows furrowed.
“Do you see me now, solidly?”
Another groan cut off his laugh as it became painful. “You saved me. I saw you…fight them. Defeat them.”
Tempest rose and sat on the pile of blankets. She watched him for a moment, contemplating how much of the truth she should reveal.
“Yes, I did.”
Aiden rolled on his side so he could see her better. “You are unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”
She shrugged. “So I’ve been told.”
“Did you carry me here as well, or was that just a dream?”
She leaned forward with an elbow on her knee and smirked. “What do you think?”
He groaned again as he rolled onto his back. “I think you should have healed me again.”
“I told you, that was my first time. I also remember saying you should be careful because I didn’t know if it was possible to do it again.”
Aiden didn’t reply.
Tempest broke the silence, pointing at the bowl of salve. “You should put some of that on your bruises. You were beat up pretty bad.”
He sighed and looked towards the wall. “I’m not sure I can. It hurts too much to move.”
“If you ask nicely, I am willing to help.”
“Emperors do not ask things of their citizens.”
“They do if they wantthiscitizen to help them.”
He mumbled a few words, too quiet to hear.
“What was that?”
He paused a moment before answering, “I said, will you help me?”