Myrren's Gift by Fiona McIntosh

Author:Fiona McIntosh
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-11-28T01:16:40+00:00

Chapter 21

This time when Wyl regained his senses he was lying in a bed At first he thought he was dreaming as memories of an ugly night returned. He touched the feather coverlet and it was real enough to convince him he was not imagining these comfortable surrounds, and the spicy fragrance that lingered around him definitely smacked of a woman. Its owner, familiar to him, suddenly leaned over.

“Don’t hit me again. Arlyn,” he croaked and smiled crookedly.

She gave a full-throated laugh this time. “I’m tempted, Romen. What in Shar’s Name happened to you last night?”

“Long story. Would you believe me if I told you it all happened because of you?”

“No, because you are a liar, a cheat, and a low, good-for-nothing scoundrel whom I shall toss from my bed just as soon as your body can stand it.”

He winced. “How bad?”

“The physic says you can’t move for a couple of days at least.”

“Then I am at your mercy,” Wyl said, surprising himself. He liked women a lot yet he felt tongue-tied among them. He thought of Valentyna; the thrill of her touch and how his throat had closed up when she had turned her attention fully to him. And yet here he was in this woman’s bed, acting the roguish flatterer using Romen’s confidence.

“Mynk for those thoughts?” Arlyn said, squeezing out a rag into a small bowl of water. She smoothed the linen gently over his face, her expression suddenly tender.

“I was just contemplating how sorry I am.” he said softly.

Arlyn paused in her ministrations and fixed him with her green gaze. “You hurt me so much.” Wyl reached over with Romen’s large hand and cupped hers to his chest. “I know. I have a lot to explain.”

“But not yet,” she said, reaching for a cup and handing it to him. “Rest and heal are the physic’s orders.

Drink this.”

He did so and made an expression of the worst sort of disgust.

“Sleep now,” she said, a smile passing across her face.

“Arlyn,” he said drowsily. “How did I get here?”

“A huge black dog dragged you to my doorstep,” she said indignantly.

He started to laugh as he drifted away. “His name’s Knave.”

“It could be King Celimus for all I care,” he heard her say as he lost his grip on the bright morning. “I’ve told him he stays out of this bedroom. He’s outside.”

“Thank you,” he said and slept.

Two fierce needs woke Wyl. It was dusk now. He was starving but even more pressing than the desire of his belly was the desperation of his bladder. He would have to move fast or make a fool of himself in front of Arlyn. He scanned the room desperately looking for the chamber pot and. after finding it.

dragged himself out of the bed. Arlyn must have heard him moving because she entered the room just as he finished.

“You shouldn’t be up,” she scolded.

He looked around. “It was urgent.” he admitted sheepishly.

“Let me feed you and then we’ll talk.”

Arlyn’s food was delicious and as Wyl ate he wanted to ask her questions but he knew he could not for fear of showing his ignorance.

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