Bonded

Chapter 27

Jza woke up with a start, clutching her locket painfully. Her dream was lost to her now but the feeling it invoked lingered. The panic and absolute terror left her trembling. She let her eyes remain closed as she composed herself. Her heartbeat soon reached a languid pace and she opened her brown eyes. 

The first thing she noticed was her skirts had moved upwards leaving a patch of her calf bare. Cursing herself for deeming it too hot for stockings many hours ago she swiftly sat up and arranged her clothes back to where they belonged. She darted furtive glances around her to make sure no one was watching.

The position she had chosen was as further away from the camp as possible without it being dangerous. The men had not resisted the distance for they knew a lady of her breeding required privacy. She had snorted at the thought that they would be surprised to know where she had slept during her time in captivity.

Taqruin was the closest man to her, sitting only a feet or two away. He sat facing away from with his bandaged face resting on his knees. Jza suddenly realised the strategic way he sat hid her from view especially her lower half. She was mortified to imagine he had taken it upon himself to guard her modesty. The Princess wondered if during the times they had slept in the same room had he ever woken up to her in such a disheveled form. 

"You are not alseep?" The brown haired girl asked her guard. His amber eyes were closed but his breathing was not as even and deep as she had grown used to listening in their shared room when he slept. 

"I have better things to do than leave this camp under the care of these fools," Tarquin replied, gruffly. He gazed at the encampment with hooded eyes. 

"They are not so helpless as you imagine them," Jza answered tartly as she rose from her bed roll. 

 

"What can a gang of stable boys and gardeners do against an army?" The sharp amber eyes glanced at her briefly. 

"And what can an injured man stabbed in multiple places do," Jza raised her eyebrow, "Allow me a look so I can replace your bandages."

"Not in front of them," Was the curt reply from the injured man.

"They already know you're injured," Jza rolled up her bed knowing she had no further use for it. The nightmare had dropped her desire for further sleep. 

"They do not know the severity or where they lie. I do not wish to expose my weaknesses to my foe," Tarquin informed her leaving Jza surprised. Not by his hesitation to expose himself to his enemy but the willingness to share the reason with her. Was she no longer his foe?

"They are under my command. They will not harm you. I will not allow it, I vow it," The Princess unconsciously allowed the steel back in her voice. She was an indulgent and kind royal but she possessed an inate sense of command even she did not know she possessed. It was also what had convinced Tarquin that she was no scullery maid when they had met. Her stance, her voice, her words had all oozed a sweet sort of power entralling all those that came her way into doing her bidding. 

"Forgive me for not misplacing my trust," Tarquin answered, looking up at his captor.

"You will let your wounds fester for pride?"

"No, I will let you look at them, privately. You can do with me whatever you please at your leisure," He gave her a quick grin which she ignored. She smoothed the wrinkles on her outfit instead and walked up to the bruised redhead who was sat at the edge clearly guarding both of them.

"I need fresh water to clean the prisoner's injuries. Is there any available?" Jza asked as the man stumbled to his feet. He clumsily bowed while she watched him impatiently.