Chapter 22

Kattcha Silentshadow stood by the bed watching her patient. Her son, Donil, was clearly smitten. The girl was a beauty, like her mama, Helena, had been. There was no way Henry Le Croix would ever let his daughter be with Donil. She sighed and hoped he would cure himself of his infatuation quickly.

A moan came from the bed and Kattcha looked down. Sleepy green eyes locked on her face. Confusion, then fear filled them. Kattcha readied herself for histrionics, just in case.

"Where am I?"

The calmness with which the question was asked surprised her. She had expected hysteria, aggression, even wailing. Not calmness. Nonplussed, she simply stared.

Laylah fidgeted and averted her gaze.

Maybe the girl was still in shock, thought Kattcha. No one was this calm after an ordeal like last night. Kattcha finally found her voice. "You're safe. You're safe."

"Safe?" Laylah lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "So, no animals changing into nude men here? And none that want to kidnap me?"

"No, child. You're safe. I promise you. How do you feel?"

"Achy and my ankle hurts, but not as bad as when I injured it. Please, what time is it?"

"It's 9:30 am and it's Saturday. You've been out like a light since 8:30 last night."

Laylah paled and began to cry, which confused Kattcha. Gently, she pulled the young woman into her arms and hugged her tightly. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."

"Jacques, he was counting on me to get help and I failed. He's probably dead and it's all my fault!" Laylah cried, deep wracking sobs that shook her body.

Kattcha rubbed her back and murmured soothing words to her distraught guest.

That was how Donil found them fifteen minutes later when he came into the office to check on Laylah. He paused in the doorway, unwilling to intrude on the pair. His mother heard him and beckoned over Laylah's shoulder for him to enter.

"Hello, Laylah. Good morning, Mother."

Laylah's reaction was comical. She squeaked in surprise at his appearance in the room, whirled free of his mother's arms and almost hit his mother in the process. She turned a lovely shade of pink before dropping her head.

"I'm sorry that we were not properly introduced last night." He held out his hand. "Hello, I'm Donil Silentshadow, and this lovely woman you were talking with is my mother, Kattcha Silentshadow." He gave Laylah a roguish grin, hoping to put her at ease.

She blushed again and shyly took his hand and shook it. "Hello, I'm Laylah Le Croix."

"Well, Laylah, I'm glad to see you're awake and feeling better. After yesterday's events, I worried about you."

"Thank you for being concerned but I'm fine. Stiff and aching, but alive. That's something to be thankful for, right?"

Donil heard the cheerful words, but her eyes told a different story. They spoke of cautious hope and fear of rejection. He did not like it that she believed she would be rebuffed. He wanted her to feel secure and know that her hope was valid.

"Laylah, you don't have to pretend to be happy for our sakes. In this house, honesty is valued, not trampled on. Without honesty, there can be no respect or trust."

"Oh!" Laylah wrung her hands together.

::Donil, you are a smart man, my son. But at this moment you are being rather dumb.::

::Dumb? What do you mean, Mother?::

::She's scared, in a strange place with nothing familiar to ease her fears and you're lecturing her about trust issues. Timing is everything and yours right now is bad. Son, I raised you better than that.::

His mother gave him "the look" that made him blush when he understood his mistake. The mental conversation took only seconds and Laylah appeared oblivious.

"Laylah! I'm so sorry. That was rude of me. I didn't mean to fuss at you. Please, can you forgive me?"

Laylah glanced up at him, nodded and added a very timid, "Okay."

He grinned and his mother smothered a laugh at Laylah's behavior. Donil stared unabashedly at Laylah, while she shyly did the same. His mother tsked him.

 "She needs to get dressed, Donil, and she needs to eat. So out! We'll see you in the kitchen."

Donil chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. "Yes, Mother."

Kattcha rolled her eyes as he whistled and left. "I swear he takes after his father. Now, my girl, how about a shower and some clothes?"

"That would be nice." Laylah glanced at the nightgown she had on. "Did you put this on me last night?"

"Yes. Couldn't leave you in what you had on. It would have been very uncomfortable. Come, swing your legs over the side and I'll get you to the bathroom. You can shower, too. Let me cover the cast with a plastic bag to keep it dry."

"Please, I need to call home. I need to know if Jacques and Naiya are all right." Laylah got her legs in position and, with Kattcha's aid, shakily stood.

"You can call after the shower. That way you'll feel more human and be able to focus better on what they tell you."

Laylah tugged on her braid and shuffled about before agreeing. "Yes, a shower does sound nice."

"Good, it's settled. This way." Kattcha helped her to a side room that contained a simple shower stall, toilet and sink. With quick efficiency, Kattcha put a large trash bag over the cast, tying it tight with some cord and helped Laylah into the shower. "Here's your towel, soap, washcloth and clean clothes. I'll be back in forty-five minutes. Oh, here is some shampoo."

"Thank you, Ms. Silentshadow." Laylah hugged the items to her chest.

"Kattcha, my dear. Just Kattcha."

"Thank you…Kattcha."

She patted Laylah's hand before leaving her alone with her thoughts.