Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) by Jonathan Michael (best ebook for manga txt) 📕

Then, a soft cotton resides underneath me. A cloud, perhaps?

I realize my eyes are closed. Another haunting dream. I cherish them, but…the terror they evoke within me…

The darkness fades, and there is a young woman standing over me with her hands placed upon my abdomen. Her almost white hair is pulled back into a tight braid, giving full visual of the emotions strewn across her face. She has a wide smile, and her silver-grey eyes appear to be delighted. Delighted about what? I sink back into the cotton and realize I’m still naked. I thought that was merely a dream.

The reality of the situation strikes me. “I’m naked! What in Susy’s name…” I sit up with a start and cringe as a searing pain spreads throughout my body, nearly causing me to collapse back into the pillow. I try to conceal it, but a violent wince escapes me. I throw my arms across my chest and cross my legs, doing my best to protect myself as I squirm backward. I place a plush pillow over my lap.

Amidst my panic I realize how nice this pillow is. I should swipe it when I ditch this place.

“Who are you, and why are you feeling on me? I’m not into ladies, you know. What’s going on?”

“There is no need to be alarmed. I’m Astor Greyheart, Greenport’s local healer. Well…not a true Healer, but a healer of sorts.”

“A Healer? Why am I naked, then?” Another shot of pain reaches deep within me, so I gently rub at it. “Are you one of those dragon queens who kidnaps young maidens for your own pleasure? I’ve heard your kind does the unimaginable. Then, you sell off the girls after you’ve abused them beyond your own boredom. For a less than an adequate price for someone of my caliber, I might add. I’m not judging, I’m just saying, keep it out of me or I’ll lop it off. If you come near me, you’ll regret it. Where are my clothes?”

“Dra-dragon queen?” She retreats a few steps, aghast. “W-why? Why would you…?”

“You’re beautiful. Don’t let me crush your ego, but I’m not into it. Can I have my clothes, please?”

“Please. Please, calm down. I’m nothing of the sort. I would never abuse a charge. I’m not a carnal merchant and am frightened at the thought of slavery. I would never do such things. I’m no dragon queen. What you say is shocking and offensive. But…” She pauses with a sigh. “I understand your state of emotions right now, so I will discount your accusations. I promise I am here to help.” She tosses me an extra linen, not chancing what might happen if she gets too close. “Cover up.”

Without hesitation, I cloak myself, not taking an eye off her.

“I’ve not made enough progress with your wounds,” she continues. “I’m concluding your family is in dire need of assistance with the lack of trust you all bare. More so than what your brother led to. If you’ll have it, I would like to help. That is all I desire. May I continue so as not to lose what we’ve already accomplished?”

“My brother! Where is my brother? Where am I? Is this Greenport? Why won’t you answer any of my questions?” I spit out question after question but fail to wait for an answer. I flip my legs over the edge of the bed, safeguarding my flesh as I do so. My feet touch ground, the Healer maintaining her distance all the while, and my legs crumple under the weight of my body with excruciating pain to follow. To worsen the predicament, I’ve exposed myself once more to this predator. Naturally, as any predator would do, she rushes to take advantage of the opportunity. Or…as any Healer would do, she’s rushing to my aid? Regardless, I won’t allow it. I kick and flail and sputter several curses to keep her at bay. The sexually discriminating curses seem to affect her rather well, so I stick with that. “I’ll kick you in the pellets if you come closer. I bite, you know. I’ll bite off your—”

“Stop! Stop it right now!” She shouts loud enough to overcome my obscenities. “I try to tolerate crude behavior as best I can, knowing emotion is a strong cause. It is a semblance of need, invoking my urge to aid. It’s nothing new to me. I dwell amongst sailors for Susy’s sake!” She pauses, softly closes her eyes, and palms her hands together as she bows her head. Her eyes open with a resolute expression and she continues in an inviting tone. “Excuse my language. But I cannot stand such vulgarities, especially coming from an innocent youth like yourself. Both of your brothers were here. Only an hour or two ago. I’ve asked them to leave—”

“So you can take advantage of me—”

“Your manners are repulsive. I understand you’ve awoken in an unfamiliar place, in the flesh, but your behavior exceeds my boundaries. Please, allow me to finish. Your brothers left you in my charge so I could tend to your injuries without distraction. That is all. They’ll return at sunup to check on the progress, which, if I might add, is remarkably well in the brief time of my suspension.”

“Suspension? Suspending what?” I interrogate. Regardless of what her tongue spits, she remains a stranger. I haven’t encountered a stranger since I was eleven seasons. How do I know I can trust her?

Astor stares and ponders for a moment. No doubt she believes I’ve been living under a rock my entire life. Which isn’t far from the truth. She explains her healing process and my attention turns toward the battle scars I’m being awarded. My angst softens.

With the sudden rise in tension, Astor proclaims the need for an intermission to regain some strength, which is fine by me. With the pain I’m experiencing, it’s apparent