"Dreamsnake" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntyre Vonda N)

Alex hesitated, not, Snake thought, from reluctance to do as Merideth asked. УAll right, Merry.Ф He left them alone. Snake waited. They heard AlexТs boots in the sand, then the horseТs slow steps.

Jesse moved in her sleep, sighing. Merideth winced at the sound, sucked in a long breath, tried and failed to hold back the sudden deep sobs. Tears glistened in the lamplight, moving like strung diamonds. Snake slid closer and took MeridethТs hand, offering comfort until the clenched fist relaxed.

УI didnТt want Alex to seeЕФ

УI know,Ф Snake said. And so did Alex, she thought. These people guard each other well. УMerideth, can Jesse bear to hear this? I hate to keep secrets, butЧФ

УSheТs strong,Ф Merideth said. УWhatever we hid, sheТd know.Ф

УAll right. IТve got to wake her. She shouldnТt sleep more than a few hours at a time with that head wound. And she has to be turned over every two hours or her skin will ulcerate.Ф

УIТll wake her.Ф Merideth leaned over Jesse and kissed her lips, held her hand, whispered her name. She took a long time to awaken, muttering and pushing MeridethТs hands away.

УCanТt we let her sleep any longer?Ф

УItТs safer to wake her for a while.Ф

Jesse moaned, cursed softly, and opened her eyes. For a moment she stared up at the tent, then turned her head and saw Merideth.

УMerryЕ IТm glad youТre back.Ф Her eyes were very dark brown, almost black, strange with her red hair and high complexion. УPoor AlexЧФ

УI know.Ф

Jesse saw Snake. УHealer?Ф

УYes.Ф

Jesse gazed at her calmly, and her voice was steady. УIs my back broken?Ф

Merideth started. Snake hesitated, but she could not evade the directness of the question even for a short time. Reluctantly, she nodded.

Jesse relaxed all at once, letting her head fall back, staring upward.

Merideth bent down, embracing her. УJesse, Jesse, love, itТsЕФ But there were no more words, and Merideth leaned silently against JesseТs shoulder, holding her close.

Jesse looked at Snake. УIТm paralyzed. I wonТt heal.Ф

УIТm sorry,Ф Snake said. УNo, I canТt see any chance.Ф

JesseТs expression did not change; if she had hoped for reassurance, she did not reveal disappointment. УI knew it was bad when we fell,Ф she said. УI heard bone break.Ф She raised Merideth gently. УThe colt?Ф

УHe was dead when we found you. He broke his neck.Ф

JesseТs voice mingled relief, regret, fear. УIt was quick,Ф she said. УFor him.Ф

The pungent odor of urine spread through the tent. Jesse smelled it and turned scarlet with shame. УI canТt live like this!Ф she cried.

УItТs all right, never mind,Ф Merideth said, and went to get a cloth.