Page 39

MER

Mer was pulled violentlyfrom her nightmare.

She blindly swung toward the person shaking her shoulder. A firm hand caught her wrist.

“That’s enough of that,” a firm feminine voice chastised.

Yanking her wrist from the stranger’s grip, Mer blinked repeatedly as the world bobbed and dipped. She launched to her feet, stumbling toward the fire, her right hand catching on the mantel. Using it as an anchor, Mer focused on the extremely tall woman wearing linen trousers and a frown.

“What do you want?” Mer asked, wishing the pain from her skull would stop.

“To stop the pain.”

If only that were possible. She’d been in constant pain since Ream’s betrayal.

Mer swayed, eyeing the basket stuffed full of bandages and tinctures. “You’re here to heal me?”

“Yes. Do you really think anyone would let you languish in the state you’re in, my lady?”

Why yes, that was exactly what Mer had thought. Once she’d been sure the king had gone for good, Mer had moved to the main double doors of the suite looking for an exit. When she’d opened them, six warriors had been stationed outside. She’d taken one look at them and slammed the doors in their faces. Then she’d locked them and moved a chair in front of them for good measure.

Her eyes narrowed at the broken chair and the pristine door. Someone had a key to her room. That wasn’t optimal, but there were better ways to barricade a room. Which she’d do once her infernal head stopped pounding and the dizzy spells ceased.

The woman tsked when Mer swayed again, her legs almost buckling at the wave of pain that crashed over her. “Enough of this nonsense.” She set her basket on the large tufted chair by the fire and then invaded Mer’s space, slipping an arm around her waist. “You need to lie down.”

There were many times to be stubborn, but this was not one of them. Saliva flooded Mer’s mouth as they shuffled across the massive gothic room. Any moment and she’d throw up. Again.

Tears sprang in the corners of her eyes as the healer pulled back the deep purple coverlet and helped Mer lie down on the four-poster bed. The plush mattress alone soothed some of her aches and pains.

“Don’t go back to sleep,” the healer warned, pulling the coverlet up to Mer’s chin. “I’ll be right back.”

Mer nodded and closed her eyes, listening to the woman stride across the room and back. The mattress dipped as the healer sat beside her and gently pulled Mer’s tangled hair away from her throbbing temple.

“He got you good,” the healer muttered, disapproval in her voice.

“He looks worse,” Mer retorted with a small smirk, cracking one eye open.

The healer rolled her eyes. “What a pair you make. Now, hold still. This might hurt.”

Mer flinched when the healer cleaned her temple, the nausea rising up. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Not on me, you’re not.” A leafy plant was shoved unceremoniously between Mer’s lips. Mint. “Chew it and then swallow.”

Mer did as she was told, slowly chewing the fibrous leaf, the bitter minty flavor coating her tongue. Her eyes closed, and she focused on the mint. She hissed when the healer poured a tincture on her head and swallowed the bitter leaf.

“That stings.”

“Yes, it does, but it cleans the wound. Wouldn’t want you to die from infection.”

“Only by extreme heights,” Mer deadpanned. She opened her eyes, watching as the healer began threading the needle. “Stitches?”

“Only a few. Significantly fewer than the king.” The woman gave her an unamused look. “I would offer you something to drink to dull the pain, but judging from the drained decanter on the floor, I dare not give you anything more.”

It hadn’t been the best idea to start drinking, but she had needed something to take the edge off the pain. Her head had felt like it was going to split open. Plus, she’d been so cold, and the shivering wouldn’t stop. It was only when the spirits took effect that they’d finally stopped.

“I can handle it.” She stared at the ornate stone ceiling. It had been carved to look like wrought iron filigree. It was stunning. Her eye twitched at the first prick of the needle and tug of the thread. The healer worked swiftly; her motions were steady and efficient and gentle. Human healing was barbaric but effective at times. What she wouldn’t give for a jelly sedative.

“What’s your name?” Mer asked.