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I’m fine.Kaerius waved a hand dismissively.

“How do you feel? Is it difficult to breathe?” The physician put his hand down but held Kaerius’s gaze.

The Mer prince took a deep breath and felt a strange, sharp pain in his chest. He coughed, and then again, because it felt like the air just would not quite fill his lungs the way it should. He bent over with his hands on his knees, for his head felt strange and light.

He shrugged away from the physician’s hands on his shoulders.

Vincent frowned. “It would really be helpful if you would not be so obstinate. I answer to Her Highness, and I don’t think she’ll be pleased with me if she finds out you’re ill and I haven’t done anything about it.”

Kaerius sagged. It was a particularly effective argument; he did not want to cause the physician trouble with the princess, nor did he want to further distress the princess in her already frustrating situation. To cause a servant to disappoint his sovereign would be shameful.I’ll be fine. But do what you want.

The physician put his palm against Kaerius’s forehead. He frowned and put his hand against his own forehead, then against Kaerius’s again. “You’re definitely feverish. What other symptoms do you have?”

Kaerius shrugged.I feel a little strange. I will be fine. Do not worry about me. I am concerned only about Her Highness and Brighton.He gestured at Brighton, assuming Vincent would not understand much of this.

“May I listen to your chest?”

The Mer prince frowned in confusion while Vincent brought out a strange instrument and held it up.

“It won’t hurt. I just want to hear your lungs.”

Kaerius shrugged again, suddenly weary.Do whatever you want.

The physician slipped one end of the instrument under the fabric of Kaerius’s shirt. Kaerius shivered convulsively at the cool metal against his skin and then straightened his shoulders.

Vincent frowned. “Well, that’s not good. You have a touch of pneumonia.” He shifted the instrument to the other side, and continued frowning. “More than a touch. Not to worry, though,” he said at last. “With some hot baths and steam to help your lungs clear out the gunk, and some hot tea, you’ll feel much better soon.”

The Mer prince nodded.Does it pose any danger to Her Highness or Brighton?

“What?”

Brighton roused a little. “Sign that again, please?”

Does my illness pose any danger to Her Highness or to you?

“Danger… Her Highness, me… Are you asking if we can catch it from you?”

Yes.

Vincent said, “Well, in theory, yes, but in your case I suspect it’s more likely caused by your near drowning, and it’s unlikelyto pass to anyone else. Coughing is probably helpful to expel whatever sea water is still in there and get some of the gunk out. Hot tea with honey will soothe your throat, and the steam from hot baths and hot tea will help loosen things up.”

Kaerius blinked at him. He didn’t know whatthingsneeded to be loosened up, but he didn’t really care. He’d never had a fever; Mer didn’t get hot when they were ill, and they were impervious to cold, so neither cold nor warmth had any real effect on their comfort. But sometimes Mer and fish would swim to warmer waters if they were ill, so perhaps a fever was similar.

His skin felt like fine strands of kelp were drifting over him, and his bones felt like ice.

The strange sensations were disconcerting, but since the illness was apparently not overly concerning to the physician, he would put it from his mind entirely.

Thank you for your advice.He smiled regally and waved Sir Vincent and Lt. Sanders out of the room.I will do as you say if and when I have time and inclination.

When they were gone, Brighton murmured, “I was afraid of that. What time is it, Lila?”

“Nearly six o’clock.”

Brighton stood with one hand on the arm of the chair to steady himself. “Her Highness ought to be back by now.”

Sit down. I will find her.

Brighton’s sharp eyes fixed on him. “Let’s go.” He strode toward the corner, a little wobbly but mostly alert, and buckled on his sword, which had been left leaning against the wall. Then he started toward the door to the hall.