I looked at all the men, they were trying to do anything and everything they could to get the taste out of there mouth. I laughed one last time and went and put my [color:"orange"] marker [/color] back into my backpack. I'd found my backpack (with my [color:"orange"]marker [/color]in it) and my sword in the back of the sled earlier, although with all that had happened I hadn't unwrapped my sword yet.
I took the time to do that now. Feeling like I'd gotten a long lost friend back, I checked it for any signs of misuse. It was in good shape, Viper had taken great care with it. I glanced despairingly at him sitting by the fire. He was brooding and appeared to be in pain. Maybe I'd been too harsh, but he shouldn't have shut me out the way he did.
I got up and walked over and put my arms around him. When he started to move away to reject me I held him in place and whispered for his ears alone. "If we only have a little time together than it should be cherished, not cast away as if it has little value. Let me see if I can relieve some of your pain." He nodded his head slowly and bent his head and kissed my hand. I called to my dragon and she came, passing healing warmth into his body. He slowly sank into sleep in my arms. Kiya woke from her sleep and looked up and saw me struggling to lay him down without waking him and came over to help me, we lay him down close enough to the fire to stay warm.
I touched her hand and squeezed it slightly to say thank you. I walked over to LaShandra and asked if she would be able to find us at Rabaer's castle and she smiled, Your blood is now my blood, I can find you where ever you are. I held out my wrist and she closed her eyes and spoke haltingly, You shame me with your generousity, my queen. She dipped her head a sipped delicately and then licked the pinpricks, healing them in an instant. Call me when you need me, and I promise I will be there. She swirled into a mist and disappeared from sight.
I walked back over and curled up beside Viper for what was left of the night, resting my hand on his shoulder for comfort. Kiya was already sleeping soundly again, but I could see her eyelids fluttering, she was dreaming ...
