Short NaNo Snippet

Something heavy pressed on my chest, making it difficult to breathe. Keeping my eyes closed, unwilling to wake up, I turned over and swatted at the lump on my chest. I was rewarded with a yowl, followed by a rumbling purr loud enough to wake the dead. Something wet and rough abraded my cheek.

I opened my eyes and looked up into a large feline face. The cat stopped licking me and leaned forward, resting its weight on my shoulders, until our noses bumped each other. His was wet and cool to the touch. He watched me for a moment, unblinking, then began his deafening purr again and curled up into a ball of black and white fur on my chest. His front paws kneaded my chest, but he kept his claws sheathed.

I scritched him for that. Waking up to the warmth and comfort of a cat is not a bad way to start the morning, and I appreciated not being turned into a pincushion.

NaNo Snippet

Kyl closed the door behind him. He faced me again and watched me, silent and still. I returned the stare for a moment, but I couldn't read anything from him. He may as well have been stone.

I was tired of being studied as if he could read my every thought, and was intent upon memorizing everything he saw. I moved the cat off of my lap and stood. My smile was pleasant and insincere. "If you would be so kind as to find me a set of fresh clothes, Captain, I would be most thankful. I've had my fill of confinement."

He lifted a brow. "You're still weak, my lady. You should not be straining yourself just yet."

"A simple walk is hardly a strain, Captain. I need the chance to stretch my legs."

"No. You need to stay in bed and rest, Riannen. It's the quickest way to ensure your recovery."

Gods, even when he was patronizing, he made my name sound like a caress. I managed not to shiver, barely. "Jern said nothing about needing to remain in bed."

"Nor did he say you did not."

I opened my mouth to speak; he didn't give me the chance. He strode to my side and wrapped his hands around my shoulders. I couldn't move when he held me like that--my hands were pinned against his chest, and my arms at my sides. I had no leverage.

He dominated my vision. "Your health is not negotiable, Riannen."

My hands tightened into fists. I glared up at him. "I am not yours to command, Captain."

"This is my ship. As long as you reside within her, you damn well will do as I say. If you think I'll tolerate insubordination from you any better than I will my men, you are going to be unpleasantly surprised."

"You are absolutely right." His eyebrows lifted. His face was a mask of surprise. I almost smiled. "As long as I'm on your ship, I don't have much of a choice in the matter. So." I tilted my face up towards his and smiled. "Where's the nearest port?"

He hesitated, then frowned. "Riannen--"

I waited.

"Damnall." He gave his head a quick shake. "You are certainly in no shape to be wandering about a foreign city on your own. I couldn't leave you at a port on your own, with a gods bless and a quick farewell. I'm responsible for you."

"I'm responsible for myself, Kyl," I said.

The use of his name made him frown, considering. "You're not able to take care of yourself yet. Riannen, listen to reason. When you woke yesterday, you didn't even know your name. You still know nothing else about yourself, much less how to get about on your own. You'll end up with your coin stolen and your throat slashed in some filthy alley, and I will be responsible for letting you wander off into such dangers unprepared."

"You are not going to hold me hostage on your ship."

He hesitated. That angered me more than anything else he had said. "No, Riannen." His voice was quiet. I wanted to applaud. From my limited experience, I gathered it to be quite an accomplishment. "I won't hold you hostage. But nor will I let you walk into danger silently. We'll put into port in at Seon, two days from now if the weather holds. If you want to leave us then, I won't hold you here. But by the gods, Riannen, I'll fight you."

I frowned. His hold on my shoulders had eased; I crossed my arms over my breasts. "Why?"

"Why?" He seemed confused by the question.

"Right. Why? Why do you care so much about me, about what happens to me? Why are you willing to spend your time and energy on me? Why are you standing here arguing with me, when all you'd have to do is watch me leave in Seon, and never have to deal with me again? I don't understand it, Kyl; why do you care?"

"Why--" He broke off, and stared at me as if he had never seen me before. "You want to know why I care? Mother above. I watched the ocean toss your body about like so much driftwood. I lead the men as they brought you aboard. My arms were the ones you fell in when you spilled over the gunwale. I cleaned your wounds." His hand shot out, too quick to avoid. He grabbed my wrist and extended my arm, turning it palm up and revealing a jagged line of stitching that ran from shoulder to mid-forearm. "I felt the heat of your blood spill over my hands as I sutured your wounds. I felt your fever, heard the panic and terror in your voice when delirium held you in its grip. I held you in my arms and comforted you when you could do nothing more than huddle in the corner and whimper." He lifted his other hand and brushed a light touch along my cheek. His expression was tender. "I watched your battles with inner demons flicker across your face. Riannen, I found you at death's door, and I've spent the past three days watching you fight your way back. And you wonder why I care. Gods above, how could I not care?"

Chapter 3

I stole Robert and Nonny's cat Jordan for the Windrider's cat, and am pretty pleased with how he got worked into this scene, so I'm posting the whole damn thing. :) Longish--3k words or so.

( Chapter 3 )