Free Mystic's Touch by Dena Garson

worry for Mother. While I appreciate
your care for her and your concern, is there some threat I don’t know about?
    Danet climbed up onto the bed to rearrange what was left of
her dinner. No. It isn’t a threat that worries me. It’s the burden that your
mother carries.
    How so?
    I’ve always known she had a lot of responsibilities. I’ve
helped with some of them through the years. But this is a load she has never
faced before. One of her children is facing an unknown illness, something she
has absolutely no control over. It has been my experience that no matter how
old someone’s child becomes, parents never quit worrying. Most would gladly
take their child’s place instead of watching them suffer. In many ways, an
illness or injury is as hard on the parent as it is on the patient. Add to it
that her husband has died, so the one person she could always turn to for
comfort and strength is gone. With the daily stress of running a royal
household, I don’t know how much more she can take.
    Ceros fell silent. Finally he said, You are right.
    I don’t mean to worry you but I can’t help but be concerned.
    You are a genuinely caring person. I find that
refreshing.
    Thank you, but I fear it will get me into trouble one
day.
    Not if you have someone watching your back.
    Danet chuckled. That would have to be a very energetic
someone to keep up with my schedule.
    Perhaps.
    Danet picked up the bowl from the tray. Do you want any
more of the broth?
    Not if I have any say about it.
    I’d like to get a little more of something in. How about
some water?
    Since wine is obviously not an option, then I suppose it would
be better than that foul-tasting liquid Darius ordered.
    As she spooned in the drops of water, she noticed the sheet
flutter over his feet. Did you move your toes?
    Not intentionally, no, but things are not working the way
I’d like them to right now.
    Probably not. I think they twitched some more.
    I’m taking it as a good thing since nothing hurts when
they do.
    I agree.
    She set the bowl on the tray then scooted off the bed.
    Where are you going? Ceros asked.
    I’m getting the tray off the bed so I have room to work.
    What are you planning to work on? he asked with
reservation.
    In a word, you. She set the tray on a table near the
hallway but kept the bowl of fruit for later. I need to finish working the
muscles in your upper body. Most particularly your back.
    If you mean to do what you were doing to my legs, then I
have no objections.
    I’m not sure how I’m going to accomplish it though.
    She set the fruit on the desk then rummaged around in her
basket of supplies for the oil and a linen cloth.
    What do you mean? Don’t you just need to run your magic
fingers over all the places you think need it?
    She snorted. Magic fingers? She poured some oil into
a small bowl.
    They feel like it when you’re doing whatever it is that
you do.
    Have you never had someone rub you down after your
training sessions?
    Er… Not in this manner, no.
    She stopped at the edge of the bed and looked down at the
prince. What other manner is there then?
    As part of the, er…recreational activities provided by
specially trained ladies.
    You mean prostitutes?
    No. They were never paid.
    They used slaves in that manner? Danet was incensed.
    No, you mistake me.
    Perhaps you should clarify before I jump to any more
conclusions and spill all of this oil on your head then leave.
    Sit and I will explain.
    She hesitated.
    Please, sit. You don’t know how frustrating it is to not
be able to reach for you to make you stay and listen, so I’m asking nicely.
    Very well. She sat on the edge of the bed and set the
oil and the cloths aside.
    Thank you. You know Shirghada’s strength is its elite
class of warriors. The reason they produce the world’s best soldiers is because
their society is built around them. Men come from around the world to train.
And with that many young, healthy men, women naturally follow.
    And men, being men, indulge