Dark Warrior: Gay Romance by Harlem Lily

Author:Harlem, Lily [Harlem, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Publisher: Lily Harlem
Published: 2019-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Leo felt as if a ton of rubble had been dumped into his gut. “Gone away?” he managed, though his throat was suddenly tight and dry. He didn’t want to believe it. “Where?”

Burta indicated the bush land beyond. “Setting traps.”

“When will…he be…back?” Leo tried to keep the anguish from his voice but it seemed some of the words had tripped over themselves.

She continued to stir the bubbling water then added a sprinkle of herbs to it. “He’s usually gone a few days when he goes to the canyon and back.”

“Canyon? Where is that?” It sounded miles away. Other than the mountain, Leo could just see flat land right out into the horizon from every direction. He couldn’t imagine where there would be a canyon.

“Half a day’s walk away,” Burta said, “and then he will have work to do when he’s there.”

“Work?”

“Yes, setting the traps. Sometimes he stays longer to see what he’s caught. Sometimes he comes home and then returns for his captures.”

“But, I mean…when did he go?”

“A few hours ago. He wants good meat for my parents, to make them feel better.”

Leo forced himself to stay quiet. He wanted to ask more questions. Where did Malik sleep? What happened if he had an accident all on his own out there? What did he do if a hungry, carnivorous animal came along? But he didn’t. He needed to play it cool, especially as Burta was studying him with a coy little smile.

She touched her cheek and her lips and let her gaze drop down the length of Leo’s body. “Would you like to drink with me?” she asked.

“I’m not thirsty, thank you, though it smells nice. What is it?” He needed to talk about something other than Malik before he could go back to the hospital. He had to make it seem as though he wasn’t dying inside at the thought of Malik not being in the village for a few days but out there, in the wild.

“It is made from ginger root. It is good for settling the stomach. I have been drinking it for years as my belly does not like the well water on its own.”

“Good idea. Oh, and I will send some medication for your parents. Add it to this tea and they should be improving within hours. It will replace the essential electrolytes their bodies need.”

“Yes. I will only let them drink this tea from now on. It is best for them.”

“I agree.” Leo stepped away from the small, knee-high mud wall which surrounded the entrance to the hut. “It was nice to see you, Burta.”

“I will tell Malik, when I see him, that you were here. But please, if you would like to join us for dinner again, we would love to have you.”

“Perhaps when everyone is well again.”

“Yes, that is sensible. Goodbye, Doctor Leo.”

He nodded and smiled then turned around. Gone.

Just like that, Malik had upped and headed off on walkabout—not even a goodbye or see you in a few days. And when the hospital was so busy, too, with this sickness.

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