Chapter 92: Pepper

Betty's arms loosen and she leans away a bit. She rubs her fingers gently across my cheek in reassurance. Her tender smile lightens my shame as she places a finger out and gives me the sign to wait. I nod and watch her leave the room. I can't look at Tahr again. The last thing I want is his pity.
Betty returns a moment later holding my most precious possession. I stare at the delicately shaped gold with an uncomfortable burst of emotion. I love it because Meagan gave it to me and it's always hid my lack of hair. I lift the gold from Betty's hands and simply hold the cold metal for a moment.
The dragon clears his throat and I look at him. "You're beautiful without the hair covering, don't let it bother you."
I don't believe him. Meagan was beautiful. I look nothing like her. Slowly I lift the headpiece and place it over my baldness. It's cold and familiar. This isn't the first one Meagan had made for me. As I grew, she had the piece resized or another made from scratch and always had some ornate artwork added. Meagan told me I was the only child who remembered her from the crossing. The headpiece was a gift to celebrate that bond and to make me feel beautiful.
The dragon startles me from my thoughts when he speaks, "You need to eat." His voice is gruff and it's an unmistakable order.
Betty picks up a bowl and brings it to me motioning for me to stay seated on the bed. After how long I've gone without food, it surprises me that I'm not at all hungry. I take the bowl and the smell drifts upward. I think it's a vegetable broth. Because Betty brought it, I dip the spoon in and try to take a sip with shaking hands. It's impossible and I dribble a small amount down my chin.
The dragon moves forward, which causes Betty to step back quickly. He sits on the side of the bed, takes the bowl and spoon from me, and wipes my chin with a small cloth from the nightstand. My mortification is complete when he lifts the spoon to my lips. "I will not watch you spill the hot liquid on yourself. You will eat and be well quickly. I order it. Now lean back against the pillows while I feed you."
I have no idea why that makes me smile. He thinks he can demand someone not to be sick. I guess for a dragon with eternal life one must think quite highly of their ability to control everything. I sigh before parting my lips and accepting the first spoonful from his hand. The broth hits my stomach and my need for nourishment takes over. I keep eating until half the soup is gone. I glance over Tahr's shoulder and see Betty leaving the room. She doesn't turn back, so I can't wave goodbye.
Did the dragon order Betty to go? He has the ability to communicate silently to whomever he pleases, so I have no idea if he spoke to her. It makes me sad that she's gone. Another spoonful of broth is forced between my lips. I badly need a drink of water and grab his wrist before he can bring the spoon back again.
There's an instant zing that travels clear to my toes when I touch him. It's so strong that I almost pull my hand back. He's looking at our hands with a strange expression on his face. I should not have touched him and I spread my fingers and try to pull my hand back, but he grabs it. Very slowly he rests the spoon in the bowl that sits on the nightstand. He lifts my hand a bit and turns my wrist over to examine it closely.
"That should not happen." He continues looking closely at my fingers. Finally he lifts his eyes and stares intently into mine. "I remember collecting you as a child-how sick you were and how much your parents loved you. You were very strong and mostly I remember that you didn't cry. It was quite odd for a child your age." He hesitates for a moment before his voice drops lower and the timbre affects me strangely. "Thank you for your friendship with Meagan."
Why would he thank me? It should be the other way around. Meagan did so much for me. She taught me to read and write and most of all how to communicate with my hands. The dragon is acting strange.
My thirst takes precedent over all these weird feelings. I give the hand signal for drink by tipping my fingers to my mouth. Tahr is so close I can see silver specks in his dark eyes and the warmth of his breath brushes my face. I want to drift away in his eyes as they crinkle slightly at the corners and he smiles.
"A drink. You want a drink?" he questions.
I nod. He understood what I asked and that delights me. I always saw censor in his gaze whenever Meagan communicated with her hands. The complexities of all that's happening don't quench my thirst and I glance to the table beside the bed.
There are two glasses. One has dark liquid and the other clear. I really need water so I shake my head when he picks up the glass filled with the darker liquid. He sets it down and picks up the water. He tries to tip the glass so I can drink. I'm steadier now and take hold of his hand, but he doesn't let go.
"You are quite stubborn," he says when I continue to hold his hand back from my lips and his earlier smile disappears.
I have no idea why I'm behaving this way. Our hands remain locked in battle for a few more seconds before he hands me the glass. I bring it to my lips and allow the cool liquid to roll down my throat. It tastes so good and I can't help but drink it all. Tahr sits back on the bed and dips the spoon into the broth again. I think about shaking my head, but realize I need to grow strong. His gaze settles on my mouth as he feeds me and I'm nervous all over again.
His arm muscles flex just a bit as he lifts the spoon. I look from his arms to his chest. I want to snuggle against him and run my fingers lovingly over his muscles. This is the biggest reason I need to be healthy and return to my room in the human tower. I must stay away from him and squash my wicked thoughts. The thoughts I'm having are what got me into trouble to begin with.
I realize the spoon is suspended a few inches from my mouth and I glance up. Tahr is watching me with a slight smile curving his lips again. "One last bite," he says as he brings the spoon closer. I can't take my eyes from his dimple. I... I want to lick it.
I'm lucky he speaks because I almost leaned toward him. "I owe you another apology."
I blink because I think I misheard him.
"I told Henry I didn't want you back in my rooms. I had no idea you would be punished so harshly. It was not my intent. I know you loved Meagan. What I have done disgraces her memory. I gave my words to Henry with no thought and there is no one to blame but me." He takes my hand and a stronger tingling sensation passes between us. "Will you forgive me?"
I never blamed him. This was my fault. I'm guilty of loving Meagan's dragon, but I can't tell him that. I very slowly nod. His fingers press tighter around mine for a brief moment before he releases my hand and stands. "You need rest. I will be here when you wake. Betty will return later after you nap." Another smile lifts the sides of his lips. "Sleep," he whispers and darkness closes in.