CHAPTER 49: THE SECRET BLOOD DONOR

(Amaia)

After cleaning my wound and giving me stitches TJ wraps my head with a white roll bandage.

"My daughter will bring you a change of clothes and help you clean up," TJ says kindly.

"Thank you!" I nod.

"You will need a blood transfusion and have to spend the night here," he further informs me. The dizziness in my head and the weakness I am experiencing tell me he is right.

Thankfully it is the weekend and I won’t be missing any more classes than I already have.

Kacir carries in a tray filled with food and sits down near my bed, placing the tray on his lap.

"You need to eat. I tried to bring you food in the dungeon but Alnilam had passed strict instructions that no one was to see you," he adds dryly, picking up the soup bowl and dipping the soup spoon in it.

"It’s fine. Where did you get all this food? I don’t think it’s lunchtime," I ask, trying not to inhale the scent of the food he has brought. I should have been starving, but instead, the smell makes my insides twitch.

"I have my connections." He offers a small smile. "Come, let’s put some food inside you."

I am thankful that he cares so much, but the idea of putting food inside me makes me want to retch.

"Thanks Kacir, but I am not hungry. I just want some rest."

His smile drops. His forehead wrinkles in concern. He places the tray on the side table and leans in. His dark hair fell in front of his eye, completely covering it.

"What happened Amaia? You can talk to me. I will listen without any judgment."

I awkwardly smile at his words.

"So you don’t feel repelled by me. The rumour is I have a mate whom I have left behind for greener pastures and I am also a whore," I say woundedly.

My voice breaks, my head hurts, my body screams.

His shoulders sag at my words and he rubs his forehead in frustration.

"After what I saw you going through? If you wanted to leave him behind, you would have rejected him, not carrying the bond around, so both of you can feel each other’s betrayal." He meaningfully pauses. "Not everyone is a wimp like me carrying a broken bond. I know there is more to your story than you let on."

"At least someone believes me rather than blaming me and you are not a wimp for holding onto hope." My mates don’t trust me, nor do they believe me, and here is this man seeing what no one else can.

"Tell me the truth about your mate," he asks solemnly.

"He rejected me and left me to die at the hands of a Barzaker. And when Alnilam went for a background check, he dared to lie that I ran away."

Kacir rubs his hands on his face in frustration.

"And everyone believes him because Alnilam saw me with Huradis. I just went to him to get a passageway to Orion but I don’t know what happened..." I spill out as much truth as I can speak without the curse preventing me.

"I believe you Amaia. I don’t think you are that kind of person. For whatever it’s worth, I trust you but is there more to the story?" He asks, holding my gaze.

Sadly, I nod, nibbling at my lower lip. The pain erupts in my thigh reminding me that I can’t speak any further.

"I can’t, Kacir..." I plead and he just reaches out to place his hand on my arm and squeeze.

"Alright. I am never going to push you."

Someone clears their throat which diverts our attention. I turn my head to see Larisa (TJ’s daughter) standing there with a tray. Containing a large container, a hand towel and a fresh pair of clothes.

"I have to help Amaia clean up. She will need a blood transfusion soon."

Kacir nods at her in understanding and gives my arm one last squeeze.

"I will visit you in the evening. Please eat something," he requests before getting up and leaving.

Larisa draws the curtains around my bed so no one can enter.

"Let me help you out of this dirty uniform and then I will help you clean," she kindly says, putting the tray down.

Larisa is pretty with her dark hair held in a bun and serene green eyes. She wears a white costume.

"Can I use the restroom first?" I request and she gives me a nod. Stepping forward she helps me up and takes me to the restroom where I relieve myself.

Larisa then cleans away all the grime sticking to me and dresses me up in a loose pair of trousers and a round-neck shirt.

"Thank you! For your assistance." I offer her a small smile.

"No problem, dungeon punishment is always tough. Get some rest." She takes away my uniform for laundry.

Before leaving she turns and says, "Try to eat something, you will feel better and sleep after."

She exits through the curtains, keeping them drawn around my bed giving me privacy.

My mind races back to Rigel as soon as I am left alone. I need a plan. I just can’t leave him there, getting tortured or going through who knows what.

I close my eyes, trying not to spiral into madness, when a familiar scent hits me. The musty scent of forgotten books, inked on papers created from pine trees. I can’t see him but I can feel him even though he doesn’t speak and stays on the other side of the curtain somewhere inside the infirmary.

Why is he here?

I just lay there with an agitated heart having no strength to face him. I pray that he doesn’t come to meet me, I have no energy to face him.

His scent lingers, his presence too, for a while, and then like a ghost, he disappears as if he wasn’t even here.

Scent fades and only quietness remains.

Why was he here?