Chapter 12: Sena - Fated to the Night King

"Wake up, dear. You need to get some food in you. Water is good, but food is what will help you keep on healing."

The motherly voice felt familiar, and my eyes cracked open. "Glory?"

"Ach, nobody's called me a glory of anything in all my days. But I am a good cook. Will you let me help you sit up a bit, so you can try to eat a little something?"

My body ached everywhere, but I gave a minute nod, small enough to keep the pain in my head from cracking my skull open.

"Now that's a good girl, isn't it?" I flinched away instinctively at the use of those two words, and the woman beside me paused. "I'm here when you're ready. We can take it at your pace."

Hunger decided for me and I reached out blindly for her hand. With her help I scrambled to a sitting position. Between the sturdy form beside me and the careful arrangement of pillows that seemed to appear out of nowhere, I relaxed into a supported position and really opened my eyes.

"You're quite the sight, young lady, and I've seen a lot in my time, I have." The curly grey head was turned away, but when the owner of the voice turned to face me, it was with a motherly smile and bright blue eyes. Nothing like what my mother had looked like. But still, the association was impossible to avoid, especially when she uncovered the bowl in her hands and she settled into the chair beside my bed. Fragrant steam escaped into the air.

"My name's Augusta, but everyone here just calls me Gus. Except for my man, that is. But we won't say more about that. Some things are best kept in the bedroom, you know." I stared at her, not quite sure what to think about this woman who seemed so willing to spill her secrets to a complete stranger. "I'm in charge of the cooking for everyone here, so when this special order came in, I wondered who was so sick. The healer didn't want to leave you, said that was Alkan's orders, but I reminded him that a lone woman waking up to a strange man in close proximity could be a dangerous thing. He muttered something about large books and left me to it."

She ladled up a spoonful of broth that smelled fresh and savory. My stomach rumbled at the scent, which made Gus smile. "We'll fix you right up."

It took time, but she carefully fed me, patiently waiting as I slowly managed to work my way through the bowl of soup. I was exhausted well before we were done with the meal, but Gus assured me that was absolutely to be expected.

"There you have it. I'll be back with more around dinnertime and I'll tell you all about this place. For now, though, it looks like you need sleep more than me gabbing at you." She held a cup of cool water for me, and I gratefully drank it down. Gus patted my cheek and gave me another one of her smiles. "Rest, girl. I'll see you again soon."

Gus gathered her things and bustled out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her. I was left there wondering at the kindness I'd received even as I felt the cozy warmth of a full belly spread throughout my body. I was still propped up on the fortress of pillows Gus had built, but it didn't matter. My eyes closed and I drifted off to sleep once more.