I had run into too much craziness in my first adventure. I had to keep my distance and make sure no one else ended up dead - or uncreated - like Taylor.
Averting my gaze, I ran my fingertips over one of the bandages on my arms. It was just my luck lately that I could heal others - but not myself.
Heal others. I considered Batu's broken arm. I was feeling guilty about him being hurt, but I didn't need to.
"Batu, why didn't you ask me for …" I waved at my arm, not wanting to finish the question.
"It is yours to give, goddess. I do not ask for your favors."
I rolled my eyes. "I do not understand you. May I have some wine?" I asked one of the wives. "And a knife."
She brought me both. I hesitated. This knife was much larger than the one Batu gave me. I wasn't able to consider cutting myself with the pain of my other wounds still throbbing. I gazed at the sharp blade squeamishly.
I stood and circled the fire, kneeling beside Batu. I held out both to him. "I can't do it," I said.
He held my gaze a moment before accepting the offerings. He took one of my hands.
"Just don't … make it bad," I said nervously.
Sensing I was ready to bolt, he tightened his grip and deftly positioned the blade of the knife near my thumb. I closed my eyes and braced myself. The sharp prick made me gasp once more. Assured it was over, I opened my eyes.
The black specks remained in my blood. There were fewer, though, and I suspected the preservation or cryo agent or whatever it was gradually was being cleaned out.
Batu released my hand, and I squeezed droplets into the wine with a grimace.
"How did you come by this gift?" Khulutei sounded unsettled.
"By accident," I replied. "I was asleep for at least seventy years. This … black stuff is what kept me sleeping and healthy."
The look he gave me was one of unease.
Batu was peering into the goblet as if uncertain he wanted to drink it. "You beat a man to death with your hands and are afraid of a little blood?" I asked him, surprised.
"Blood is sacred, goddess. Normally, offering your blood to another in such a way binds your spirits to theirs," one of the women explained. "It is a way for non-kin to become kin, for strangers to become brothers."
"Ah. Makes sense." I had no clue about their customs or traditions. I started to move my hand so the blood wouldn't drip onto my white silks when I noticed the delicate layers were already soaked through from Batu's blood. "Is it too much to ask for new clothes?"