The Artificer's Wife: A Fantasy Romance Tale (Artisan Magic Book 3) by Beth Alvarez

Author:Beth Alvarez [Alvarez, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sacred Tree Press
Published: 2023-09-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Your uncle seems very concerned with your well-being,” Rilion said as he sank into the cushions of the couch in Aedi's quarters. He grimaced and touched his side, but sitting seemed to bring him some relief, for his face softened after he settled.

Aedi checked the locks on her door before she strode toward him. She had been far from thrilled when her uncle insisted on sending a handful of his men along to guard her. They should have been her men, all of them. That some still answered Alund's call was not surprising, given how long he had led them, but it still rubbed her the wrong way. “My uncle is concerned with many things that are not his business.”

“He's family. Does that not mean your safety is his business?”

“My father's safety was his business. You read this morning how that ended.” And Adelena's safety had been her business. She paused at the thought, then turned abruptly. Instead of joining him on the couch, she made her way to a small wooden cabinet in the far corner of the room. No; the circumstances were different. She had loved Adelena. She did not believe Alund had ever loved his brother.

“I had a question about that, actually. Your mother was queen before Adelena rose to take the throne. Your father ruled before that? I did not see any explanation of how that worked, but it implied that Angrothi succession customs don't work the way I am used to.”

A small wooden box waited at the back of the cabinet. Aedi moved candles, trinkets, and jars of herbs until she could reach it. “A lesson for another time. There are other things to address first.” She stood with the box in her hands and tried to look imperious. “Take off your shirt.”

Rilion stared back, his mouth working a moment before he produced words. “I don't think that—”

“Medicine,” she said before he could finish.

His lips curved into a silent O. He struggled to sit upright again, then grasped the hem of his shirt and lifted it a scant few inches before he sucked in a hissing breath.

Aedi crossed to the couch and put her box on the floor before she grasped his shirt. “Arms straight up.”

He obliged, though his movement was slow and cautious. She peeled his shirt upward and the moment she saw his torso, her heart lurched. She'd expected bruises, but half his chest had turned purple. Smaller bruises decorated his shoulders and arms.

“Death below, how are you walking?” she breathed.

“Through sheer stubborn will, I believe.” He lowered his arms gingerly. Pain etched lines into his face, but he drew slow, steady breaths and the signs of discomfort began to abate. She expected that sort of discipline from a seasoned soldier, not from a scholar.

Aedi sank to her knees on the carpet before him and took the box from the floor. “Well, this should help until we can seek a healer. I suggest you continue breathing like that while I tend you.”

Rilion said nothing as she opened the box and one of the jars within.

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