17 Chapter Seventeen: Interrupted

Camo unwrapped the bandages from around her wound, leaving her top half completely bare. Turning her head to the side, she looked at the mangled flesh, pink and raw, but no longer bloody. The cool air stung, bringing tears to her eyes. She took a sharp intake of breath, gritting her teeth to keep from crying out.

"Easy now, Camo." Damien said, going to rush to her side.

He froze, staring at Camo. He couldn't make himself look away, but couldn't make himself move to help either.

Camo moved a hand to her shoulder and poked the wound out of sheer curiosity. Unable to suppress the rush of pain, she cried out.

At her cry, Damien rushed into action, taking her hand and sitting next to her.

"Are you okay, Camo?"

Camo scoffed slightly, brushing away his concern.

"I'm fine." She said, rolling her eyes.

"You are now. Don't push it." Damien said.

"Whatever." Camo mumbled.

"Did you just 'Whatever' me?" Damien asked.

"So what if I did?" Camo asked, hiding her smirk.

"Then..." Damien paused, thinking. "This!"

He shoved her good shoulder, knocking her onto her back and hovering over her. He kneeled above her, his hands on either side of her head. She could move if she wanted, but stayed, her breath being caught in her throat as Damien slowly leaned closer to her.

"Damien... " Camo breathed out, her breath coming softly.

His lips were mere centimeters from hers, she could feel his breath mingling with hers. Her heart beat sped up, her blood rushing to her head in excitement.

"Camo... " Damien said, his voice deeper than usual.

He leaned closer, his lips brushing hers.

The tent flaps open, Niyol walking in.

"Sorry about the wait! I couldn't find them in the herb storage, but I eventually did!"

Damien shot away from Camo, turning and sitting next to her. Camo sat up, a guilty blush spreading across her face.

Niyol was staring at Camo, and then to Damien, his eyes darkening in anger.

"Sorry for interrupting, but it's best she's left to rest." Noticing Camo's state of undress, he did nothing to hide his interest, but kept his voice steady. "And your wound should really stay wrapped."

"Right. I'll re-wrap it." Damien said, glaring at Niyol.

"I have the herbs that need to be wrapped as well. It's best I do it." Niyol insisted.

The atmosphere darkened drastically, and Camo sighed, annoyed.

Damn guys and their fucking testosterone.

"Just go, Damien. Niyol is the professional at this." Camo said, not looking at either boy.

Camo could hear the intake of breath as Damien got ready to argue. Camo beat him to it.

"Damien. Leave." Authority laced her voice and Damien sighed in defeat.

Walking out, Damien paused by Niyol.

"Don't you fucking touch her." He said quietly, then stalked out of the tent.

Sighing at the immediate drop in the tense atmosphere, Camo let her shoulders slump.

"How are you feeling?" Niyol asked, walking over to her.

"Fine." She replied.

"Any pain in the bite?" He asked, kneeling beside her.

"No." She smirked slightly. "We need this stuff back home."

"It is very good, isn't it? I'm glad you're not in discomfort." Niyol said, smiling and turning to her.

His eyes were drawn to her chest, and Camo rolled her eyes.

Typical guys.

"My eyes are up here, Ni. " Camo said.

"Right." Niyol said, meeting her eyes without any embarrassment.

Camo smirked at him, impressed with his guts.

Niyol rewrapped the bite, intricately weaving the herbs into the bandages. When he finished, he handed the tunic back to Camo.

She put it back on without a word, focusing on the wound, searching for any pain. Other than a slight ache, her shoulder had no pain.

"Damn. These really work." Camo commented.

"You have no pain then?" Niyol asked, getting some type of drink ready for her.

"None." Camo agreed.

"Very good. Here, drink this." Niyol was handing her a wooden bowl filled with liquid.

"What is it?" Camo asked, taking it and sniffing it.

"It will help you sleep. More herbs of my people." Niyol told her, nodding at her to drink.

Camo drank it without another word. She needed the sleep, and she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to without the help of drugs. Natural or other wise.

Nearly instantly, Camo felt drowsy. Her eyelids grew heavy, and Niyol helped her to lay down.

"Sleep well. You'll need the rest to heal." Niyol said, before Camo fell into sleep.