Bliss leaned against the boulder, her hand going to her mouth and her fingers faintly touching her lips. She could still feel the strength of his lips upon hers. It lingered there, tempting and confusing. His desire for her was palpable but it was her own intense desire for him that confused her. She had hoped intimacy with her husband would be something she would enjoy rather than tolerate. She realized now she would more than enjoy intimacy with him, she actually hungered for it.
Consumed by her unexpected thoughts it took her a moment to hear a soft whimper. She turned her head and saw two eyes that looked as if they glowed red staring at her. Slowly, they approached until Bliss saw they were the eyes of a sizeable wolf. But what she noticed most was that the animal held his one paw up. He was hurt and looking for help.
Her healing instincts had her walk slowly toward the wolf as she spoke gently to him. “You are hurt. Let me help you.” She held her hand out to him and the wolf took a step toward her.
“Bliss, stop and back away slowly,” Rannick ordered, fear for his wife’s safety turning his stomach when he had turned and saw what she was about to do.
Bliss turned and saw her husband’s hand on his dagger, and she quickly moved in front of the wolf, shielding him. “He is hurt and seeks help.”
“He is a wolf who will tear you apart,” he warned.
“Nay,” she argued, shaking her head. “He seeks help and will not harm me.”
“Do not be foolish!” Rannick snapped and the wolf growled.
“Your anger upsets him,” Bliss scolded.
“And his presence upsets me,” Rannick shot back.
“Then take your presence elsewhere because I intend to help him,” Bliss said defiantly.
His eyes went wide. “You disobey me?”
“I am a healer and I help those who seek my skill whether humankind or animal,” she informed him and turned her attention to the wolf.
“BLISS!”
The wolf growled again.
“Go away, Rannick, if you intend to make this more difficult for me, since I intend to help the wolf no matter your objection.”
“You will suffer for disobeying me,” he warned.
“I have been threatened several times by those who thought they knew better than me and it did not stop me then from healing, and it will not stop me now.” She continued to approach the wolf.
Rannick’s stomach tightened in an agonizing knot. He could rush the wolf, but he could easily attack Bliss before he reached her. If he could get closer, he might have a chance. He took a careful step forward and the wolf growled.
“Stay where you are!” Bliss ordered, seeing the wolf’s eyes looking past her.
Rannick stopped, muttering several oaths.
“His instincts tell him I will help him while your foolish actions warn him of an approaching prey,” Bliss said, trying to make her husband understand.
“The curse,” he reminded not only himself but his wife as well and hoped it would help her see reason.
“The curse has no place here today,” she said confidently. “Now be still and let me help this beautiful animal.”
He hoped she was right, but hope had failed him each and every time, only this time if the beast killed his wife, he would follow her into the death and take the wolf with him.
“I see you are in pain, my friend. I am a healer, and I will help you,” Bliss said, gently getting closer to the magnificent animal.
His fur was a mixture of gray and white and he was large with powerful muscles. His eyes, which now appeared dark, were cautious and he showed just enough of his sharp fangs to intimidate.
When she was nearly on top of him, she held out her hand. “I mean you no harm. I am here to help you. May I see your paw that pains you?”
The wolf stepped forward without hesitation, though his eyes darted past her to Rannick as he sat in front of Bliss and offered his paw to her.
Rannick watched amazed. It was as if the wolf understood her every word.
Bliss tenderly slipped her hand under the offered paw. She carefully examined it. She was relieved to see the problem would be easy to fix. A small stone had embedded itself in between two of his paw pads.
“A stone,” she said softly, pointing to the object of his pain. “I am going to remove it. I will try not to hurt you but there may be some pain.”
Rannick did not like hearing that, but he remained silent, realizing it was not only the best thing for him to do right now but the only thing left for him to do.
Bliss released his paw and dug into her healing pouch for the cloth that contained different sized needles. She chose one of the thicker ones, knowing a thin one would snap too easily with the stone dug in deep.