Page 112 of Forcing Fate

“Your presence is required at the sentencing! Let me take her to the Healers!”

“No. Leave.”

The slamming of a door roused me. A heavy sigh greeted my ears as I blinked away the haze of sleep. Throbbing pulses pounded through my head without mercy. Warm blood seeped through the cracks on my sore lips as I attempted to move my mouth. I touched the tender skin around my eyes. It was so swollen I could barely open them. A small groan squeezed through my aching throat as I tried to roll onto my side.

“Drink.”

General Rafe lifted my head, placing the cup against my lips. I winced, but drank, ignoring the sting. Water never tasted so good. When I finished, he took the cup to a small table and placed it beside a pitcher and washbasin.

“Tha–” I tried to speak, but it came out airy and frail.

He turned toward the fire, keeping his back to me. “Quiet. If your watchdog hears, he’ll start banging down the door again,” he grumbled.

My lips twitched in agony and amusement. Willhelm.

General Rafe came to the bed and tucked my cloak around me.

“Too hot,” I whispered, though it sounded more like a moan. Sweat still drenched me. I wanted nothing to do with the heavy fabric.

A frown pulled the corners of his lips down. “You’re not exactly modest,” he warned.

His tactic worked, and I stilled, even though it felt like I was on fire. He placed a hand on my forehead and muttered a curse. Rising, he moved to the door, prying it open. Stark daylight reflected off the white snow, threatening to blind me, and I clamped my eyes shut.

“Fetch a Healer–” he started.

“Now you want me to get a Healer?!” Willhelm’s words were hot with anger. He would never raise his voice at a superior officer. Why would he yell at the General?

“Shut it. Go. Get Healer Rashel. Tell her to bring a spare uniform,” General Rafe ground out before shutting the door on Willhelm’s muttered response.

With the space dim again, I braved opening my eyes and watched as he shuffled some papers around on his desk. He moved quickly, grabbing several bottles, then shoving them in a drawer. He scanned the room, then crossed to the fireplace mantle and snagged a few books, cramming them in the same drawer. Shutting it, he retrieved a sleeveless tunic hanging on a rack near the hearth.

He glanced at me, his eye meeting mine, and started loosening the stays on his fur vest. I turned away, allowing him modesty, and the slight movement sent a fresh wave of pain cascading through my head. He probably wouldn’t care the slightest if I watched. The man didn’t have a modest bone in his body.

He rummaged about until the door flung open. I whined and flinched away from the light. It was far too bright for my poor head to take.

“Curse you, General. I curse you with all manner of irritating rashes on your man parts.” A woman swore, and the door slammed shut to the outside world.

I sighed and relaxed as a cold but gentle hand pressed against my cheek.

“She’s on fire.” Her words were followed by a curse.

I opened my eyes to see a familiar black-haired Healer—the same who warned me about such horrible things months ago… Rashel? She set down a bag and rifled through it. General Rafe ran a hand over his head before he crossed his arms and propped himself against the door.

“Why didn’t you bring her to me sooner? Is she the one everyone is whispering about this morning? Why did you bring her here?” Her green eyes flashed. She held a bottle of something up to the firelight, studying its contents.

“Don’t. Not that.”

“Pardon me? Are you the Healer?” she snapped. “No?”

General Rafe pushed off the door and stalked over to her. “Not that. Hear me?” His voice dropped an octave.

She straightened to her full height, which was only slightly shorter than him, and fumbled with the cork. “I am the Healer. I make the calls–”

He cut her off by snatching the bottle and tossing it into the flames. It hissed and shattered, sizzling against the crackling logs.

“Wha—you! Of all the–”

“They poisoned her with cloud flower. Do you know what that is?” His voice lashed at her like a whip.

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