Impossible Things Read Online Free Page A

her lips.
    ‘Just little sips now. Your body can’t handle much more.’
    She drank as directed, trying to take small sips but too frightened he’d take it away from her.
    It was him, undoubtedly. The stranger who’d strode into the great hall and, out of all the female slaves, chosen her to warm his bed for the night.
    The warlord she’d been ordered to please. The big man, smelling of sweat and blood and sage, who’d spoken to her gently, almost as if he didn’t want to hurt her. She wasn’t fooled. They all wanted to hurt her.
    The man she’d so insulted, so offended, she thought he was going to kill her there and then.
    ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked now.
    A terrible question to answer. Would it please him more if she were hurt? If she told the truth – that she felt a lot better – would he hurt her? If she said she felt terrible, would he punish her for lying?
    ‘Your colour’s improved,’ he said, taking the cup away and pulling her into a sitting position. ‘Have something to eat.’
    This was dangerous. This was frightening. He was pretending to be kind to her, but why?
    A bowl of something savoury was held under her nose and she felt her mouth fill with saliva. Forcing herself to be sensible, she inhaled and concentrated on separating the scents. Vegetables, herbs … She breathed in again, but the herbs were just seasonings. Nothing to harm her.
    Probably, it was information he wanted. That’s what Ladyship had implied that first night. ‘See if he talks in his sleep,’ she’d said with a laugh.
    Maybe Ladyship would be forgiving this time …
    The soup was delicious, the taste almost too rich to stand. When he took the bowl away she wanted to stop him, to bring it back, to eat and eat. But she did nothing. She wasn’t greedy. She was grateful. She must remember to be grateful, or Ladyship would be upset again.
    ‘I know you’re hungry,’ he said. ‘I know you’re so far beyond hungry it’s a miracle you’re still alive. Clearly the gods have plans for you. But I can’t let you eat too much, not just yet. A little more each time until you can manage a whole meal. We’ve got to do this gradually.’
    She nodded. She’d nod at anything he said if it made him happy.
    ‘But by the time we get to Ilanium you’ll be a lot healthier. We’ve got weeks on this journey for you to get stronger, and plenty to eat. Especially if you like fish.’
    She nodded again. She truly had no idea if she liked fish or not.
    Then she caught up with herself. ‘Journey, my lord?’ she said, her voice cracked and weak.
    ‘Yes. We’re going to Ilanium.’
    He paused, clearly expecting a reaction to this. ‘Yes, my lord?’
    ‘Do you even have any idea where that is?’
    Ilanium. It snagged vaguely in her memory, like something from a long-forgotten story. Bracing herself, she admitted, ‘I’m sorry, my lord.’
    ‘No. Right. So. Born here, were you?’
    She shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’
    ‘No. Right then, look. You’re clearly a lot better than you were last night. Do you think you can move? You’ll just have to go as far as one of the wagons. I can carry you if you need me to.’
    ‘Wagons?’ She licked her lips again. Of course, she wouldn’t be travelling with Ladyship. Ladyship would have her own carriage, or possibly a litter. But … ‘I need to see her.’
    ‘Who? You have family here?’ he asked sharply.
    ‘Ladyship.’
    He barked out a laugh. ‘You want to see Samara before we go? Are you really a glutton for punishment, girl?’
    ‘She’s been unwell. I need to make sure she’s well enough to travel.’
    ‘Well enough—? She’s not going anywhere. And she thinks you’re dead. No. You just come quietly out to the wagons, we’ll pull one right up to the door so no one sees you, and—’
    ‘Not going anywhere?’
    She cringed automatically. She’d interrupted him.
    ‘No. I’m not taking her to Ilanium! Ha, unless I can actually pin this smuggling thing on