Lienna.
The next day was even harder. More casualties rolled in, and I was drowning in duties. Fetching water to fill the massive pots became an endless task. Washing soiled towels and boiling water for equipment sterilization left my hands raw and sore. The added responsibility of caring for convalescent patients, alongside the newly arrived ones, pushed me to the brink.
Most of them bore dark magic wounds, courtesy of Veronica’s twisted powers. No matter what remedies we tried, these wounds refused to heal. The stench of decay clung to them, a constant reminder of our helplessness and I hated it so much.
Rumors from the battlefront only heightened my anxiety. Oberon and the shifter kings were locked in a stalemate, but Veronica’s unpredictable attacks disrupted their strategies. She struck when least expected, undermining their progress and leaving them reeling.
As more soldiers arrived with dark magic-tainted wounds, I knew I couldn’t stand idly by. The healers’ frustration was palpable, their usually steadfast faces etched with worry.
“I have to help,” I whispered to myself, resolve solidifying within as I made my way to Hermes once more. This time, I was determined to make him see reason.
“You have to let me help the healers in the infirmary. If I don’t, we’re going to lose too many men,” I said, my voice firm, unwavering.
Hermes sighed, sounding tired, like he was exhausted from repeating the same argument. “I already told you, Lienna. We can’t risk it.”
But I held my ground, determination burning within me. “I can’t stand by and watch people die when there’s something I can do to help. The people injured by Veronica… their wounds won’t heal. You understand that better than anyone.” I said, pining him with a glare.
Hermes returned it, his expression unwavering, before letting out a groan and scrubbing his face with his hands.
“Fine. What about the effects of using the moon goddess’s powers?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. “You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
“I haven’t,” I replied, steadfast. “And if it happens, I have you here to help.”
Hermes’s eyes widened in surprise. “Me?” he croaked, raising a brow in bewilderment.
I pressed on, delivering the final blow. “Also, I can train this way. I haven’t perfected the moon goddess’s powers yet, and this is one way to learn. To control it, to harness it.”
Hermes couldn’t fault the logic in that one. He let out a breath, adjusting his posture as he stared at me, his eyes searching for any sign of hesitation.
I raised my chin, pressing down my doubts and uncertainties. “You’re probably right, but I still need you to be careful,” he noted, his voice laced with concern.
“I know that. You’ve told me a thousand times. I promise I won’t overexert myself. I just want to help, so please, let me help,” I pleaded, my voice firm.
Hermes clenched his jaw, looking around him before taking a deep breath. His shoulders sagged slightly, resigned.
“Fine,” he muttered.
Next, he was following me to the infirmary, speaking to the healers in hushed tones. His authority was palpable, and they nodded obediently.
A while later, the people suffering from wounds inflicted by Veronica had been moved to a separate tent, hastily erected nearby.
Once a good number were settled and everything was ready, I was called in.
My heart pounded as I stepped into the tent, the scent of decay and suffering hitting me like a wave. Some of then had grown worse and they were almost lifeless on the bed and others wouldn’t stop moaning in pain.
My hands had begun to tremble but I steeled myself, reminding myself as to why I was doing this and walked deeper into the tent, on to my first patient.
“Remember, Lienna, you promised to be careful,” he muttered, his eyes locked on mine.
I nodded, taking a deep breath. This was it. The time to prove myself. Readying myself, I closed my eyes, letting the power flow, a thin thread that only grew larger until it was pooling at the palm of my fingers. The familiar cold tingling sensation coursed through me, and the soldier’s groans told me the healing was beginning to take effect.
Continuing to concentrate, I upped the tempo, allowing more power to flow. The soldiers’ cries transformed from pain to awe in a matter of minutes. Their bodies relaxed, tension melting away as the healing took hold.
When I opened my eyes to check the wounds, the black areas were gone, replaced by the fresh pink skin of newly bruised flesh. I let out a shuddering breath of relief. He was going to be fine.
“Thank you so much, miss. I really appreciate it,” he groaned, his voice filled with gratitude as he held my hands.
I returned his thanks with a warm smile, moving on to the next patient. The same miraculous healing happened again, and by the time I reached the fifth one, the air was filled with hope. The soldiers’ eyes sparkled with renewed life, their faces reflecting the possibility of survival.
Even with the soldiers Hermes had assigned to assist me, he still kept a watchful eye on me. The moment I began to show signs of exhaustion, he immediately intervened.
“That’s enough, Lienna,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“I can still manage to heal two or three more, your majesty,” I protested, my eyes locked on the remaining patients.
Hermes furrowed his brows, a frown etching his face. “Their wounds aren’t that severe,” I pressed on, pointing at three others who looked up at me with expectancy in their eyes. “I’ll heal them and stop. I promise.”
He hesitated, then nodded curtly. “Okay, but do it quick.”
I nodded and immediately went to heal them, watching as the black wounds dissipated, revealing just fresh skin. Each soldier’s gratitude was a balm to my weary soul.
As I finished the last healing, Hermes stepped forward, his eyes scanning me for signs of exhaustion.
“Done,” he declared, his voice firm. “You’ve done enough for today.”
I nodded, my energy waning but my heart full. I was led out of the tent, my legs trembling beneath me, and brought to the shifter king’s own quarters. Hermes’s orders echoed in my mind: “Rest.”
A soldier hastened to bring food, clean water, and fresh tunics. I muttered my thanks, exhaustion etching my voice.
Peeling off the dirtied clothes, I revealed the bruises and scrapes beneath. Dipping a towel into the cool water, I wiped my body clean, scrubbing away the grime and sweat. The fragrant oil I applied afterward soothed my frazzled nerves.
Changing into the new tunic, several sizes too big, I settled to eat. Though I had very little appetite, I forced down each bite, preparing for the ordeal ahead.
As I ate, my blood began to simmer, heat coursing through my veins. Hermes’s absence felt like an ache and I prayed he wasn’t far off.
Hours dragged on, and discomfort crept in. The clean tunic felt like sandpaper against my skin. My parched throat constricted, breath quickening. Where’s Hermes?
The sound of footsteps approaching told me he was close. The tent flap opened, and his large frame filled the space. His piercing gaze locked onto mine and I trembled.
He was here. Relief washed over me, followed by a wave of trepidation. His eyes narrowed, sensing my unease.
“Lienna?” he asked, his deep voice low and gentle.
I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “I… I think it’s starting,” I stammered. Hermes’s expression turned grave. He strode toward me, his movements fluid and purposeful.
He lifted me up my feet and I immediately wrapped my legs around him, gasping as his lips crashed into mine. His tongue delved into my mouth and I angled my head, giving him more more access, to taste, claim and own me.
We stumbled through the tent, miraculously finding our way to the cot. He dropped me down rather unceremoniously, removing the huge tunic I had on, exposing my bare body to his intense gaze. I shuddered, my body feeling like it had been lit on fire, my entire skin flushed and sensitive.
A growl escaping his lips, he lowered himself once more, kissing my lips while I wrapped my hands around his neck, drawing him closer, unable to get enough of this, of him. He tore his lips long enough to pepper kisses on my cheeks, down to my earlobes, sucking on the rapid pulse beneath my neck and I moaned, stars exploding in my eyes.
My hands found it’s way understand his tunic, running up the hard planes of his chest, feeling it vibrate as he growled, his body tensing. My nipples had grown hard and throbbing, liquid heat pooling in my nether regions. Hermes raised himself, slightly out of breath, staring down at me with a storm in his eyes. I bit back a whimper, my eyes flickering as I held his gaze.
“You know you could have avoided this.” He growled as he set himself between my thighs, his midriff resting against my abdomen, heat slipping through mmy skin from the contact.
“I know, but I also couldn’t let that many people die.” I whispered, moving as he locked my legs around him. Lowering himself, he trailed kisses down my shoulders to the valley of my breasts and I shuddered, a breathless moan escaping my lips. My fingers settled in his hair, pulling him close, urging him on. He listened to my silent pleas, taking a nipple to his mouths as he began to suck on it.
I arched my spine, moaning as pleasure crashed through me. His free hand had found my other nipple and he had begun to tug on it, kneading the soft flesh of my breast. He sucked on them like a child, alternating between each breasts till they were flushed and sensitive. I had become so wet, I had begun to start a river.
“Hermes, I can’t take anymore.” I whined, grinding my hips against his, desperate for him.
“Patience, love.” He growled, his fingers slithering down my abdomen, hua touch causing my stomach to tie itself into knots. “I need to make sure you’re all ready for me.” He growled, his deep voice sending tremors down my spine.
Past the hair in my groin, his fingers moved even lower, seeking and finding the sensitive, throbbing nub there. With a wicked flick of his fingers, he began to rub on the throbbing bundle of nerves there and I arched my spine, sporadic moans bubbling from my throat.
A sinister smile appeared on his lips at my response and he did it again, rubbing on that sensitive nub while I whimpered and moaned, stars exploding in my vision. He continued to tease me while I held on to him, loving it and ready for more.
When his fingers parted my folds, spreading them open, I almost catapulted off my skin, my need and lust so heavy, my insides was practically clenching over nothing. I wanted him so much and here he was, messing with me.
“Oh, please just… ” I blurted out, unable to take it anymore.
“Just what?” He asked, spreading my wetness all over me, his intense gaze on me. I looked at him, shuddering as I held his the dark look in his eyes. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing would slip out so I just snapped it shut.
“Tell me what you want, darling. Or it might not happen.” He growled, leaning in to give me a scalding kiss that stole my breath away, his fingers teasing, never penetrating.
“Please, just going in me. I’m fucking aching. It feels like I’m going to lose my mind.” I rushed out, my voice barely audible. A glint appeared in his eyes instead.
“You know what? I have a better idea.” He murmured, smiling at me. What is he talking about? Before I knew it, he was lowering himself, getting his body between my thighs. I propped myself up with my elbows, looking at him in confusion.
“W-what are you doing?”