Re: The inevitable week

[Marqués del Stry]

The Marqués ate while she spoke, nodding here and there at the things she said, though he slowed in his motions with the last things she said and the touch to his cheek. She was afraid that he was going to die. That is how he heard the words.

In essence, it sounded like she was confessing that she had feelings for him and, that she did, was what made her fearful. He probably shouldn't, but he leaned forward on the bed until he was able to set his nearly empty soup bowl down. It happened to be on the hospital bed since that was within his reach. It caused strain, stretching as he did, and she had good view of the marking upon his back. Yes it did stretch and move with his action, but it did not bleed. Surprisingly due to the missing portions of skin that made for the wide lines.

Sitting back he turned more on his side to see her better and caressed the side of her face, tipping her head upwards in wanting to get her to look at him. "You should not be afraid of your feelings. It is not your fault that the other guys took advantage of the care you showed for them."

Stopping long enough to lean in and kiss her upon the lips. "Perhaps I am not like other men no?"

[Casandra Lightheart]

She looked at his back as she felt him move she wanted to reach out and touch him she could not begin to imagine what he had been going through all these years but she kept her hands in her lap.

What she had told him was very personal and it had come from her heart it took more then he would know for her to voice those feelings out loud to him, she had spoken to Venis about it but that was different Venis was her best friend. When she thought of V her hand moved to touch the wound on her shoulder that was almost healed.

Here she was in a bed with a man that she cared for for the first time in four years. He was getting through a lot of the walls that she had put up to try and keep every one distant. She was even ready to tell him her biggest secret something that only Venis knew, part of that was because he had started opening up to her and part of it was because she was just ready to tell someone.

She had been lost in her thoughts. He touched her face and lifted it so that she was looking at him; then spoke to her. He was right she shouldn't be afraid of her feelings but she didn't think she could survive losing someone else to anything but old age.

She closed her eyes as he kissed her she returned his kiss and opened her eyes up when he broke it.

"No, Amadeo, you are right I should not fear my feelings and it is not my fault."

She kissed him softly again before saying the next words.

"You are like no man I have ever met, you are so different, but that is a good thing."

[Marqués del Stry]

He saw her look at her shoulder and wondered about it. Perhaps she had gotten it in an accident of some kind? He did not know but knew that it wasn't there when he saw her last.

It was a good thing that she was already sitting next to him for it would make his next task easier to accomplish. Pushing down on the bed he pushed himself closer to the headboard. "Come here Casandra." His arms opened to her and he stretched forth to draw her into him. While the mark was not bleeding anymore movements still came with a price but he wanted to hold her and feel her close. He would continue until she was in his arms, it was hoped that she did not his damp hair.

"Just as you should not fear your feelings, you should not have fear of me." The Marqués' arm would hold on to her, his fingers placed upon her side, holding her there. "In life, there are many things for us to be afraid, and we will lock ourselves away to avoid those things."

His voice was low not only because of the tire of his body, but there was also no need to speak louder than need. He pressed his lips to her forehead. When the kiss was broken he rested his head upon her own, his other hand reaching out to find her hand. "Let me rid you of your fears."

"Do not be afraid of me Casandra."

[Casandra Lightheart]

She saw him moving and was bout to tell him to be careful when he stoped and held his arm open to her and he was telling her to move closer she was careful not to hurt him as she turned to her side and curled up against him laying her head on his chest.

She felt his hand on her side and listened to his words she felt so may diferent emotions right now but he was right the fear needed to go. She was trying it would be hard but telling him about it helped her lessen it some.

She felt him kiss her head and smiled as his hand found hers.

"Amadeo I do not fear much, not really even my fealings what I fear is that I may lose you."

She tilted her head up and kissed hs lips.

"I will try to let you take my fear away, I can tell you one thing with all honesty, I have never feared you and never will."

[Marqués del Stry]

He felt comforted having her laying against him. Comforted and warm. It caused him to close his eyes for a moment as he thought about memory. It was good to know that she wasn't afraid of him and he could only hope that it meant that she was not afraid of whatever things she may feel towards him as well.

The Marqués breathed deeply and exhaled slowly. "I will do what I can to make it so you will not loose me to death." With his dealings, he could only do so much. He had survived so far. His fingertips drifted up and down her side.

"Though the bleeding has stopped, it will take time for the mark to heal. Until it does, the pain will be there but touching it will no harm you. "

[Casandra Lightheart]

She felt secure in his arms, it felt right to be here with him.

"I trust that you will keep that promise to do everything you can to keep me from losing you."

She almost sat up but decided not to he had asked her to lay here with him, and she would ask him first.

"I have herbs that will help in the healing process and lessen the pain do you want me to use them now or wait until morning?"

[Marqués del Stry]

"Let us wait until the morning...." He was curious about the herbs she said she had. "When the morning comes, many things will look better." It was not to say that he wasn't tired - for he was.

"Maybe simply something to ease the pain a bit. " Those would work and he would be able to get into a few things that needed to be done. "I didn't want for you to spend your week here at my bedside. Please. Take time this week to enjoy yourself as well. The grounds are yours to enjoy."

[Casandra Lightheart]

"Then morning it will be."

She hoped things did look better in the morning. For now she was going to enjoy spending the night in his arms.

"In the morning I will make you a poltice to rub on your back and cover it with a lose bandage. It will help numb the pain. I will also enjoy the grounds for the week on one condition, you let me redress the markings on your back every night and first thing in the morning."

She smiled at him and kissed him softly.

"Unless you would rather have your Dr coming out here twice a day."

Yes she was joking she did not know if what needed doing was here at the manor or away.

[Marqués del Stry]

She wanted to dress a bandage on his marking on the mornings and night, he could agree to that.

"The Doctor will be seeing me from times throughout the week for vitals, though you may dress the wound as long as you do it only for pain and not for healing. The mark has to heal on it's own. Do not think that something like this will keep me from holding you when I want."

He enjoyed the look of her, even the drop of defiance that he could see under the surface. "If you have designs on treating me every morning and every night, than I can only assume that you will be spending your nights in my bed. Unless you have hopes on catching me before I leave the room."

It only made sense to him and she was invited to stay.

[Casandra Lightheart]

"I promise I will dress it for pain only I will do nothing else for it."

She listened to him and smiled at his words.

"I did not think it would keep you from holding me when you want to."

The last caught her off guard but she would like nothing more she looked up at him.

"If you can stand having my lobo in your room then I will spend my nights here. Kjay will be pacing the hall infront of your door looking for me by morning."

She kissed him softly.

"Don't worry; he's housebroken and he prefers to sleep by the fire not in the bed."

She moved herself so that she was laying down and not in a partial sitting position.

[Marqués del Stry]

The Marqués did not mind her companion staying in the room with them for it would not be the first time an animal had wanted to stay with its owner. While he wasn't an animal lover, he tolerated them if they were the property of the people he was around.

Casandra got ready to sleep, that's what it looked like to him, and he remained in the partial sit-up position. This was easier on his back and it helped with his breathing. "Your lobo will not be a problem," he said after her kiss, using his fingers to brush through her hair. He hoped that she knew that he was being honest when saying he wanted her to enjoy time on the grounds, and also that she remembered he would not be able to spend much time with her. The reason for this was not due to the blood loose.

"Now I am tired, and the rest of the week is before us." The Marqués settled down, for sleep was soon to come.

[Casandra Lightheart]

She would understand that she would be content to spend her nights with him for the week her days with Windrider and Kjay, she had plans to explore more of the land then she had seen when last she was here. Maybe the beach.

She closed her eyes when his fingers ran through her hair seeing that he was going to remain sitting up she moved so she was again partialy sitting up she laid her head on his chest.

"Good night Amadeo, I look forward to the week ahead."

[Leo]

At some point during the night Leo had peeked into the room to see how things were going. Both of them were on the bed; that meant that the Marqués had stopped bleeding and showered as well. Leo was only somewhat surprised to see the two of them in the same bed - but was not bothered. If she was there now, then she probably would be there for the rest of the week.

He backed out of the room and scratched the top of his left shoulder. It was still itching. It always itched after the doctor administered the treatment. Small price to pay for helping out his friend. Ever since he had taken a more active role in the process the Marqués' heart was more controlled. That made him wonder if, since Casandra was resting against the Marqués, if she would notice that his heart was still beating slowly.

He went to get Ama. During the week the main staff was always on alert in case they were needed. "Ama, the East room, you should have it prepared for a new user. And have Casandra's things brought from her room to here." He looked back at room door and pulled a pen and paper from his pocket. Quickly now, before they wake up.

Once she was on her way Leo re-entered the room. Walking quietly he made his way into the room and the fireplace where he started to write on the paper. Once he was done he sat down in a chair and waited. His direction turned towards the bed.

[Casandra Lightheart]

Cassie did notice that his heart rate was slower then it should have been but it was still not enough to concern her so that she would loose sleep over it; she had been tierd already.

Just as she had predicted Kjay was outside the door in the hallway he had only left it when he needed to go outside. One of the staff members had fed him some scraps when he came back through the kitchen. When Leo went into the room for the second time he ran in and went to the bed; when he was satisfied Cassie was ok he went over by Leo at the fireplace and laid down on a rug.

If Leo was watching them he would see that Cassie's eyes were moving rapidly under her lids; she was dreaming, from the look on her face whatever it was wasen't plesent. She began crying softly.

Leo would see Kjay get up and walk over to the bed he coulden't reach Cassie so he very slowly got up on the bed and crawled over to her and licked her hand he made no noise at all but Cassie would relax almost instantly and her breathing became even.

Kjay would curl up beside her and watch her for a few moments before crawling back to the edge of the bed and jump off. He would look at Leo as he passed the chair he sat in and then lay back down infront of the fireplace.

[Ama]

The rest of the night was taken preparing that room Leo had requested. There was a lot to be done in order to get a place ready that hadn't been used in two years.

Morning came and breakfast was prepared: fruits, orange juice, and pancakes. Up to the room and opened the door. A glance was given to the bed and it's occupants before turning on Leo sitting in the chair.

"Bueños dias." The tray was set on the table beside the bed. Maybe the smell of food would wake them. She knew what Leo was waiting for.

With that, she left.

[Casandra Lightheart]

Since Kjay had come comforted her she had slept the rest of the night without being restless.

It was the smell of the pancakes that woke her up she opened her eyes and streched, seeing Marques was still asleep she very carefull moved from his arms and off the bed.

She walked over to Leo.

"How long have you been here?"

[Leo]

When Leo saw that she was waking up he smiled and sat up straighter in his chair. Throughout the rest of the night he had been keeping an eye on Kjay and doing small things here and there about the room like picking up the bathroom and making sure the fire did not go out. He had even taken the tray Ama had brought in and arranged the breakfast in a proper manner.

Now Casandra was up and towards the table and he stood as she approached. "Your companion came in with me earlier this morning." He had been in for hours but it did not matter for he made no move to disturb them while they slept.

"There is something for you to see this morning. Something that has been prepared for you."

[Casandra Lightheart]

She sat down in a chair and moved up closer to the table. She smiled softly.

"Please excuse my apearence I was not expecting anyone this early."

Her hair was a bit tangled just like you would expect from someone that had just awakened.

"I knew Kjay woulden't stay away long he dosen't like to be seperated from me."

At the mention of his name he got up wagging his tail and put his head in her lap, she stroked his fur and scratched behind his ear.

"Prepared for me?"

She looked over to the Marques.

"Is it something that can wait till I have had a chance to tend to his back?"

[Leo]

"I'm sure that it can wait," he gave her a smile as he made sure that he put the paper he had been writing on in his pant pocket. It was there. "Until later. He might sleep for a while longer yet." Or he might not.

"Of course you are always able to go and see to it later. Not knowing what it is you don't know if it is something that may be of use more sooner than later."

He did not mind her appearance. He did not expect her to wake up looking the same way she had when she arrived for she had just spent a long night with a patient.

"Please, help yourself to food."

[Casandra Lightheart]

She looked at him and a smile came over her face that lit her eyes she refrained from laughing.

"If I go see what it is will you promise to have someone come get me if he wakes up?"

She was already heading to the bath room to freshen up; she ran a comb through her hair washed her face and rinsed her mouth. She looked around the bathroom it had been cleaned and dress she had been wearing was gone.

"Leo where is the dress I had on?"

She sat down she may as well eat while it was found or somethign else brought to her.

[Leo]

She wanted to wear the same as she came in? Sure. She could do that, but it wasn't available yet. "I took the liberties of having it cleaned for you though it's not ready yet."

He motioned towards the wardrobe. "When thought that you would be staying in here some clothes were put in there for you. As for getting you when he wakes up, I can't promise anything. It is usually when he wakes that he is heading to start business. you may want to decide which you would want to do."

[Casandra Lightheart]

She looked at the bed and then back to Leo.

"I don't want to wake him and I have a lotion that someone can rub into his back for him to help with the pain; I will use the stronger poultice tonight it has to be prepared right before it is used."

She kept her voice low and looked towards the wardrobe.

"You had my things brought to his room?"

That surprised her but made her happy at the same time; she smiled as she took a couple pancakes and an apple with a glass of the orange juice and ate her breakfast as she talked to Leo.

When she was done she walked to the wardrobe and opened it. She took a deep breath and reached in to take out the esentials and also a dress made of a fine linen cloth that was sage green in color.

She moved to the bathroom removed the night gown and changed into the new dress. Amadeo had a very good staff of seamstresses, she could not have done any better herself.

She remembered seeing the desk and went to it removing two sheets of paper one was left un addressed and had instructions on the use of the lotion and tea mixture she was leaving.

Rub this lotion into his back and cover it with this layer of cloth and hold it in place with this adhesive strip. If he asks it is a simple mixture of lotion with cayenne peppers that will help with the pain.

The tea is a mix of willow bark and lemon zest. The bark is for pain and the lemon zest is to take away the bitter taste from the bark. It needs to be added to boiling water for at least fifteen minutes. I am leaving enough for three cups it should only be used once every four hours.

Lady Casandra M Lightheart

She then took the second piece of paper and wrote a second letter.

Amadeo,
I was hoping to be here when you woke up but I thought it best to let you sleep. I have requested that I be sent for when you wake up but if there is not time for that I have left some things that will help with the pain and instructions for thier use on the table beside the bed.

Leo apparently has had something prepared for me that I am to see this morning.

If I do not see you before tonight I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts.

Casandra.

This letter She folded in half and wrote his name on the front of it and laid it on the pillow beside him. She gently kissed him before going to her herb bag and removing a small container of lotion that was pink in color from the cayenne peppers used when making it a piece of cloth and a small roll of special adhesive tape that Venis had brought back with her from earth; She found this to be invaluable for holding bandages that could not easily be wrapped.

She also measures out the bark and zest and wrapped in into three separate small papers with the correct dosing.

She went to place all of this on the table beside the bed with the letter explaining how they were to be used.

"I guess I'm ready."

[Leo]

Leo took into account all the things that Casandra said - he, of course, would be staying until the Marqués woke up. The lotion for the back, the mixture for the tea. Every four hours. Noted, though he did not know on how frequently he will take it. Though,. if the lotion was for the pain.

"What is the tea for?" Leo inquired as he looked over the thing she had placed on the desk. Perhaps the tea was also for pain. He wasn't sure.

As he waited "Ama will take you."

[Casandra Lightheart]

She looked at Leo.

"The tea is for pain as well he dosen't have to take it but I do not know how long the lotion will work for him. If he dosen't need it then he dosen't have to take it, but he should not use it more then once every four hours. The instructions for brewing it are in the letter on the table with the lotion."

She sat down and took a few berries from the tray as she waited for Ama.

"Leo, will you give me a clue as to what you had prepared for me?"

[Ama]

Almost as if it were on cue, the bedroom door opened once more and Ama came into the room, followed with two sets of young ladies. The first set were obviously maids for they had on aprons and bonnets over their heads. They went to collected the used breakfast dishes. The second set Casandra would recognize as the two ladies the Marqués had given her during her first morning at the manor, Cary and Aliza. Though they were servants, they were of a different level and were accordingly dressed.

Ama addressed Casandra. "When you are ready Lady Lightheart," spoken cordially. "Cary and Aliza will follow behind. Able to get you things that you may need and be in assistance."

They stood off to the side ready to go. Ama stepped out of the open door and waited, head turned to see if Casandra was following.

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