Chapter 121Of Warmth and Blushes

My head awoke from it's daily slumber thankfully. The previous night had been eventful and my mind had let go of most of it. As my senses came back into the light of consciousness, I felt a strange warmth pressed against my body.

It was a soft and friendly warmth that felt familiar, like the nights together with Khuna. But it was different, the heartbeat was faster, breathing was shallower. Something was wrong though, the skin I felt against mine (when did I undress?) was smooth but also courser than what I'd known so far. And something in my neck tickled as unfamiliar hair was pressed against it.

Nuru.

Several thoughts ran through my head. She must have undressed me and laid down next to me. She must have seen my scarred body! Why did she do this? Why did she press her existence so close to mine. Others were much closer in my heart and I did not want to betray them. But did I? If this was done against my will or beyond my knowing.

Nuru.

Why?

I slowly turned around, facing her. Feeling, to my surprise, her naked form against my skin. It made me even more uncomfortable to know she was naked beside me. Then I remembered, she had no clothes to begin with. Just a sheet. My guilt overflowed my shame and made me forgive her completely.

She looked at me as I turned around and waited patiently for what was to come.

"Why are you next to me?"

Nuru waited until after her next breath. "You were talking in your sleep, and shivering. I finished with most of my research and thought you needed warmth."

I talked in my sleep? "What did I say?"

"Just one word. A name. 'Khuna'... Did you love her?"

"I still..." I interrupted myself. "Wait, I dreamed of Khuna?" I couldn't remember any of it.

So we did dream, we just were not allowed to remember it. Would they be too strong? Would they deny us our daily rest? Or even... Would they predict the future, let us see things we were never supposed to know. How much insight was lost if dreams were never remembered.

Nuru nodded. "Yes, you dreamed very vividly, Miss Amy."

Slowly, I sat up straight. Noticing for the first time she hadn't just undressed me, but undressed me completely. Even Khuna hadn't seen me completely naked! Where were my clothes?

Nuru appeared to sense something as she rolled away from me, leaving the blanket over my body as much as possible. She walked, fully visible to my gazing eyes and wandering mind, to pick up my clothes. She offered them to me to dress myself. With only the last bit of consciousness I could muster I was thankful she didn't try and dress me.

"Eh... Could you turn around, Nuru?" I hoped it would help a little.

She nodded and turned around. "Yes, Miss Amy."

Her body was quite beautiful and her dark skin made it all the more mysterious. I really wasn't used to other people being naked around me. Forcing my focus on my own clothes, I slowly dressed myself. My body wasn't being as nice to me as I would hope. Sensitive and much too responsive for the touches the cloth made against my skin. It didn't help me feel comfortable until I pulled my t-shirt over my head and put on my shoes.

I handed my coat to Nuru. "Please wear this for now. You need clothes."

She looked surprised, but giggled a little. "Yes, Miss Amy."

It slipped out before I thought. "Don't you feel uncomfortable naked?"

Nuru laughed as she put on the coat. "Not at all, it's only natural."

Stuttering a little I had to ask. "Don't you find me... ugly... with all my scars?" My right hand held up in display.

Nuru shrugged. "What scars? Your skin is already smoother than yesterday. And obviously they will vanish before long. Why worry about them if they will vanish in mere days, Miss Amy?"

She had a point. Why did I worry so much about my scars? My body restored remarkably swiftly and every day it faded more. I was surprised I didn't need more sustenance.

Blood... I needed blood today.

"You can take some of mine, Miss Amy."

No, that felt wrong. "No. I will explain later." Something important nagged at me. "You finished the research?"

Nuru smiled proudly. "Yes, Miss Amy. I found the location of the old Silver Abbey, an old ruined church not far from here." She walked to the desk. "I've noted down the proof and references for you as well."

"That's great news!"

I couldn't wait to tell Faith and Afentis.

And walk among the ruins, walk among the scars of history.