Chapter 7 (Pt 2)
�Shh, shh, Christian. I�m here. You�re okay now. Wake up, wake up.�
The blue eyes flew open at her voice, the nightmare still vivid in them, as they stared blindly past her at some invisible figure behind her. �Stay � stay away from her!�
�Shh, it�s all right. I�m here,� she repeated, placing her hand against his cheek to calm him.
He started at her touch, his eyes drifting over to her face, recognition finally setting in.
�Xandrie,� came a relieved whisper.
She smiled. �Yes, last time I checked.� Her smile quickly faded as she recalled the haunted expression in his eyes a few moments ago. That must have been some nightmare.
�What was it that you saw?� she prodded gently.
He shook his head tiredly. �Nothing. Never mind.�
They fell silent, and Xandrie leaned over to check his bandages. Miraculously, despite his violent dream, he managed not to pull any of the makeshift stitches she put on his wound, and, satisfied, Xandrie turned back to face him only to find him watching her intently.
She coughed, trying to hide her discomfort under his intense scrutiny. �Well, congratulations. Your temperature seems to be going down, the stitches are holding � I�d say you�re on your way to full recovery,� she stated in a poor attempt to lighten the situation.
�How long have I been out?� he asked hoarsely, his eyes still fixed on her face.
�A few hours. I didn�t really count.�
There was another long pause. Then he spoke again, quieter this time.
�Why did you leave?�
The question startled her, and she looked down at him in surprise. �I didn�t leave. I was right there in the next room.�
He shook his head again. �That�s not what I meant.�
Xandrie looked at him silently for a few moments, uncomprehending. And then a realization hit her, and she paled slightly and looked away.
She felt his hand cover hers gently as he spoke again in a quiet but tight voice. �That day by the river� why did you leave? Please� I need to know. I have a right � to know.�
She was silent for a long time, then, finally, she nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on some random spot on the floor. �You�re right,� she said, her voice barely above a whisper, �you do have a right to know.�