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Chapter 16

Writer's picture: Lacey St. SinLacey St. Sin


CHAPTER 16


Cassidy started the day by tending her section of the gardens, the other women had been taking care of Becky’s duties, but, as promised Cassidy checked in on them anyway. Now she was crouched in the section dedicated to the botanic garden, staring at Becky’s colorful mushroom. It did not look well. It was still alive, but dark spots had begun to form along the edge of the cap, indicating the fungus’ death. She studied it closely, careful not to touch it and damage the tender flesh farther. It was not looking good, and, unfortunately, she had very little knowledge about mushrooms. In her experience they were either for eating or you wanted to get rid of them. This one was simply...dying. Now the question was, did she tell Becky? Discussing the mushroom’s plight might be a good distraction from her own. Give her something else to concentrate on. Or it might just drive her deeper into depression.

Her eyelids dragged and she fought a deep yawn. She’d spent hours the night before studying the tablet. Something the other women were momentarily jealous of, until they realized that all it contained was medical terms and terminology, descriptions of diseases and their causes, and about a million other medical facts. Cassidy’s brain was so full of medical whosits that her eyes were crossing. But maybe there was something in there that could help her help Tor. She was determined not to be useless. And there was still a small part of her that was so damned innately pleased that he’d given her a gift.

“Cassidy?” Gorth’s voice broke through her thoughts and she turned to find the man himself at the garden’s edge. An enormous bouquet of flowers gathered in his giant hands.


Wow. He worked fast. She’d only mentioned the idea at the morning meal when he’d asked about Becks. That had been what...two hours ago? Where had he even managed to find such a variety?

“Those are beautiful,” she told him, rising from her position and stepping carefully from the marked garden. “She’s going to love them.”

Gorth shifted uncomfortably. “You are certain that women like this sort of thing? I do not wish to upset her with dying plants.”

Cassidy smiled. This man, he was such an enormous sweet teddy bear. “I’m sure. Most of the time it doesn’t hurt the plant itself if you take one or two of it’s blooms.”

Gorth gave a worried look at the massive bunch in front of him. It was a lot of flowers, not just one or two, but there was such a huge variety, as if he couldn’t make up his mind which would be best, that it likely didn’t add up to decimating any one single plant.

“Come on,” Cassidy offered. “I’ll walk you over and we can check if she’s ready for visitors.”

Gorth looked down at the bouquet and frowned. “I do not want to disturb her if she still doesn’t want to see me. You take them, tell her…” he swallowed deeply and thrust the flowers toward Cassidy’s chest. “Tell her I will wait for however long it takes.”

The aww factor of his words was quickly overwhelmed by the sight of his arms. Cassidy stared down at them, not reaching for the flowers, unable to do anything but try to calm the sudden erratic pounding of her heart.

“I think we’d better both go,” she muttered, gesturing to the raised and pebbled skin webbing out from the crook of his elbow. She might have missed it completely if he hadn’t presented her the flowers, but it was definitely a rash.

Gorth followed her gesture, alarm flashed across his face.

It was spreading.


In moments they had reached the medical building. Neither of them had dared to stop anywhere else. If it was as contagious as it seemed then there had likely already been enough damage done. Gorth’s initial moment of panic had been carefully tucked away, the professional warrior once again. They pressed through the front doors and came to a full halt. Tor was already in the main entrance, and he wasn’t alone.

Emily stood beside him, arms out to reveal a familiar reddened and raised pattern.


“We don’t have time…” Tor began to snarl, the fear she knew he was feeling carefully concealed.

“Gorth has it too," she interrupted. "Tor, I think we need to quarantine ourselves.”

Tor straightened, lips pressed together in a thin line, and scanned Gorth, his eyes landing on the massive bundle of flowers. The big oaf just stood there, staring back, as if this was some sort of challenge that he could win.

“Show him,” Cassidy swatted Gorth’s arm with the back of her hand. “Don’t be such a wuss.”


Tor’s eyes followed the movement, narrowing slightly. But when Gorth dutifully turned over first one arm and then the other he moved closer, examining the skin.


“It’s the same rash,” Cassidy announced. He already knew that, of course, but she said it out loud anyway.


“Any fever? Weakness of the fingers or limbs? Dizziness?” Tor grunted at the man.


“No, none of that.”


Gorth and Emily were both pale though, and if she wasn’t mistaken Emily was on the verge of a breakdown.


“It’s alright,” she told the woman. “We have tests running to find the exact cause, so Tor can treat whatever this is more effectively. Becky is already showing improvement, so I’m sure we’ll figure this out.” She tried a comforting smile. Unfortunately, no one seemed comforted.


Tor gave her a warning look, one that said, quite clearly quit talking. He stepped back from Gorth.


“Cassidy is right, until we know more about what’s happening we have to quarantine.”



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