Predatory Marriage

“Haban, it hurts,” Mura complained, and Haban set aside the bottle of medicine in his hand and immediately came to her to examine the bandage wrapped around her middle again.

“Yes…my legs…”

“Of course.”

After her stomach was pierced, Mura had been unconscious for a full day. But as might be expected of a strong Kurkan woman, the next day she began to recover quickly. Haban thoroughly massaged her legs.

He had been saved from losing an arm during the battle, thanks to Genin’s quick action in blocking an attack. But Genin herself was down as well, having broken a bone. Though many Kurkans were seriously injured, not one of them had died. All of them were recovering with characteristic rapidity.

Arguably, they could not have asked for a better result. Mura looked out the window, a worried expression on her face.

“The Queen…” She muttered. “Is there no change today?”

Haban paused in his massage.

“Yes,” he replied in a low voice.

Leah was an ordinary human. Despite her frail body, she had acted bravely, but she had paid a high price for it.

It had been a week since the day of the battle, and she was still unconscious. They could only hope that soon she would wake, even as they became increasingly anxious. No doubt she needed time to heal, but they couldn’t help but worry.

In killing Blain, Leah had weakened Cerdina enough for the longsword to work. But without that second blow against her, it was not certain that they would have won the day. And even if they had, they would have taken many casualties.

“……”

Mura lowered her head, her eyes filled with guilt. No matter what the outcome, she should have stopped Leah from doing something so dangerous.

“I don’t deserve her,” she muttered. “I am not good enough to be her lady-in-waiting.”

Her eyes filled, and though she tried to hold back her tears, they finally overflowed. Haban silently held her as she began to sob.

“We’ll wait a little longer, Mura,” he said quietly.

“But–”

“I’m sure she will wake up,” Haban interrupted firmly. His voice was filled with determination as he tried to reassure her. “Leah is not the kind of person who would leave her mate behind.”

***

She had killed a person.

It was morally wrong, an act for which anyone should be condemned. The sensation of cutting into flesh with a dagger was vivid.

But Leah had no remorse. Even if she could have gone back in time, she would have done the same thing. Death seemed a small punishment for Blain, compared to everything she had suffered.

When it was all over, Leah’s strength left her and she fell into a deep sleep. In her dreams, there were no more chains, no more locks, no more iron doors. And in the distance, she saw a small wolf, running free over a vast plain.

His silver fur ruffled in the wind. His golden eyes sparkled in the sun. He was completely healthy again.

She watched him running for some time before the cub finally noticed her. His ears pricked up and he charged over to her, leaping into her arms. She burst out laughing as she caught him, and the sound of her laughter filled the plain, so loud that it surprised her.

After that, she was unconscious again, for a long time. But the time finally came when she surfaced again, feeling someone gently caressing her.

The bittersweet smell of grass tickled her nose. Slowly, Leah opened her eyes, the way someone wakes after a good night’s sleep.

Her head was resting on a firm thigh and a soft sheet was pulled up over her shoulders. Long fingers stroked her hair.