Page 75 of The Shadowbound King

I looked at Andrin. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave that bed or I’ll kill you myself.” His grimace followed me as I hefted Othor into my arms and carried him from the bedchamber. With Nerissa’s help, I sped him through the corridors. When we reached his chamber, Nerissa rushed inside and turned down the bedding.

“Put him here, my lord,” she said. “I’ll make sure he gets everything he needs.”

I settled Othor on the bed. He moaned but didn’t rouse as Nerissa removed his boots. She lit a lamp, which threw light around the bedchamber. Othor’s personal space was as cool and austere as he was, with black furniture and walls lined with ancient books. The scent of herbs and incense filled the air.

“Thank you, Nerissa,” I said.

“Oh, I’m Elodie, my lord.”

Damn.“I knew that.”

She offered an indulgent smile, but she said nothing as I left Othor’s quarters and hurried back to Andrin.

When I entered the bedchamber, Ginhad and Mirella stood next to the bed. Andrin looked paler than when I’d left him, his skin blending with the pillows at his back. The ragged tail of his braid descended over his thick chest. His fingers were tight on the sheet over his lap.

“What is it?” I demanded, moving to the end of the bed. I raked my gaze down Andrin’s chest, hunting for injuries I’d missed. “Did you get up?”

“No,” Andrin bit out. “If I remember correctly, you promised to kill me if I tried.”

Ginhad looked between us. “His Majesty says Lord Othor is drained, but…” Ginhad turned wary eyes to Mirella as he trailed off.

She stared at Andrin’s wound, an inscrutable look on her face. Her yellow gown was stained and rumpled from the trip to the Covenant. Had I really fetched the dress for her just this morning? It felt like a hundred years had passed since I woke to find Andrin missing from our bed.

As if she felt my regard, Mirella lifted her gaze to mine. Her eyes hardened. The collar gleamed in the chamber’s dim light.

Ginhad cleared his throat. “Thismightbe a bad time to bring this up, but Lord Othor isn’t the only healer among us.” He cast another cautious look at Mirella.

“You have the gift?” Andrin asked her, clearly making the connection.

She squared her shoulders. “Yes.”

Andrin’s expression turned skeptical. “You’ve said nothing about this.”

Silence held as she stared at him. “You’re right,” she said slowly, “I should have mentioned it the first time you threatened me.” She frowned, appearing to reconsider. “Or should I have waited until the fifth?”

Andrin returned her stare. “The first time would have been fine,” he muttered after a moment.

She drew a sharp breath?—

“Maybe,” Ginhad said, stepping between her and the bed, “Lady Mirella could try to help the king.” He gave her a hopeful look. “Like you helped Thraxos in the courtyard?”

She’d helped Thraxos? I looked at Andrin, who appeared as confused as I felt.

Mirella’s frown deepened as she considered Ginhad. “Thraxos is a horse.” Her brow smoothed, and a malicious smile curved her lips as she looked past him to Andrin on the bed.“Although, you have a point. My gift has always worked better on beasts.”

“Forget it,” Andrin said tightly. He caught my eye and motioned to the bedside table. “Just wrap my ribs. I’ll sleep it off.”

Frustration rose, along with worry. The furrows continued to bleed. “Maybe you should let her try…”

“I’ll wrap it myself,” Andrin said. He twisted toward the bedside table, and a sickening snap split the air. His hoarse cry tore through the room as he collapsed back onto the pillows. Blood welled anew from his side, and a jagged sliver of bone broke through the torn flesh, gleaming red in the dim light. His head lolled on the pillow, his eyes closed and a frown between his brows.

“Andrin!” I barked, fear spiking as I raced to the side of the bed opposite Mirella and Ginhad.

“It’s a broken rib,” Mirella said, bending over Andrin.

“You think?” I snapped.

Andrin moaned, his legs restless under the sheet. The covering slipped, and red caught my eye. I yanked the sheet from his lap. The bedding beneath him wassoakedwith blood.

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