Oops, I Tamed the Commander Everyone Dreaded novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: First Night

The fort surgeon wanted to dose him with poppy and sew him up in the infirmary.

Aldric Eisenhart refused both.

He said he wanted the hauler to do it, in his own rooms, with the door shut.

"I stitch mules," I told the surgeon.

"Then you will be gentle," said the surgeon, and fled.

His rooms were at the top of the east tower.

They held a big bed, a bigger fire, and a window that looked out on the pass.

He sat on the edge of the bed with his trouser leg cut away.

Orrin had already pulled the lance, and the wound in his thigh gaped red and ugly.

I washed it with hot water and wine.

Every touch of the cloth made my own thigh burn.

"Tell me when it hurts," he said.

"It hurts now."

"How much?"

"Like someone's holding a hot poker against my leg."

"Describe it."

"What do you mean, describe it?"

"I want to know what it is."

He was watching my face.

"I have only the idea of it. I have never had the thing."

So I told him.

I talked while I sewed, one stitch and then another, and the needle bit into me as well as him.

I said it was hot and tight and a little sick.

I said it came in waves.

I said it was worse when I held my breath.

He listened to every word, and his eyes didn't leave my face once.

When I tied the last knot, I was shaking and wet to the skin.

He was holding my wrist.

"Thank you," he said.

"You owe me the cost of the thread."

"Name it."

"A kiss."

The words came out before I could stop them.

I had meant to say a crown.

The room went very quiet, and the fire popped.

His fingers tightened on my wrist, just slightly.

"Say that again," he said.

"I'm twenty-five years old, Commander. I stabbed you through the hand."

"I rode nine miles to pull you off a battlefield. I think I'm allowed to ask."

"You are twenty-five."

"And you're thirty-two. Orrin told me."

"Orrin talks too much."

His thumb moved across the inside of my wrist, once, and my whole arm went warm.

"Do you want me?"

"Yes."

"Say it plainly."

"I want you."

My voice was steady, and I was proud of that.

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