Reckless Rescue by Rinelle Grey Read Free Book Online Page B

never seen. A world without the hardships and restrictions they faced here. A world where she could make her own choices.
    She examined his face one last time, as if she could see an imprint of that world in its shape. If… no
when
… he woke up, perhaps he would talk to her about it.
    Everyone turned to Yasmyn, and Marlee held her breath. Her mother pursed her lips, regarding her through narrowed eyes. Then she smiled and shrugged. “If you are willing Marlee, that would be satisfactory. We can see about more permanent accommodations once he is well.”
    Marlee squeezed her hands together tightly, trying to maintain her adult demeanour. He was hers. For now at least. Permanent wouldn’t matter because once he woke up, he could take them all away.
    “Karla, see him settled at Marlee’s. Do what you can for him.” Yasmyn turned to the council. “We must discuss this. There is much to consider.”
    Marlee sprinted ahead of Karla and the two men bearing the stretcher, being careful not to slip in the mud. She was glad of the excuse to run. The frozen rain still littered the ground, though it was already beginning to melt in the sun, which had returned with as little notice as it had disappeared.
    She arrived panting and leaned on the doorframe for a few moments to catch her breath. As she looked around the small house, she saw it through new eyes. It was small: a bed in a tiny curtained alcove near the fireplace, and an even smaller bathroom off that. She and Nelor had built it together two summers ago. They hadn’t needed much room.
    What would the stranger think of her home? How would it compare to what he was used to? The room on his ship wasn’t very big either, but it was so different. Everything there was smooth and shiny. It would be easy to wipe down, easy to keep clean. Not like the wood and dirt here. She sighed. It would have to do. It was all she had.
    Bustling into the bedroom, she pulled back the covers on the bed, looking at the sheet. There wasn’t time to wash it. At least it didn’t get as sweaty in winter. She plumped up the feather pillows, determined he would be comfortable at least.
    The stretcher arrived, and two men helped Karla lay the unconscious man out on the bed before leaving to see what damage the storm had done. Marlee heated water and brought rags to Karla as she cleaned and bandaged the wound on the man’s head.
    They worked in companionable silence until Karla straightened up with a groan, stretching with a hand in the small of her back. “There’s nothing more I can do. Keep a close eye on him, and call me if his temperature rises or if he wakes.”
    Marlee nodded, and Karla left, leaving her alone with him at last.
    She sat beside the bed, studying his face. He couldn’t be very old, maybe a little older than Nelor. Despite the shadow she’d noticed earlier, his face was clean shaven, and when she reached out to touch it, it was almost as smooth as her own.
    How had he ended up here? Was he here to rescue them, or just for the anysogen, as Weiss suggested? What had happened to his ship? Why had he crashed? Would he be okay?
    So many questions. And none could be answered until he woke. A sigh escaped her lips. She desperately wanted to talk to him.
    A trace of guilt stirred in her heart. She should be worrying about Nelor, not the stranger. Hopefully he hadn’t been hurt on his way back from the spaceship. Perhaps he and Nerris could repair it. They knew a lot about ships.
    Restlessness overcame her, and she busied herself setting up a pallet on the floor and putting on some stew for dinner. She tidied here and there, coming back often to check on him. He didn’t move. His breathing was even, if shallow, and there was nothing she could do but wait.
    And wait she did, sitting around for several hours as he lay there. She began to worry. Maybe she should get Karla.
    She rested her hand on the unconscious man’s forehead. It felt a little warm. Did he have a fever, or was that