Page 5 of The Guardian's Witch

“The wound must be cleaned.” She said this more to herself to confirm her decision. She glanced around and took stock of what was at hand. “Ann, some linen strips please, lots of them and three large men.” She looked at Alex’s powerful body. “No, four men please.” Lisbeth continued her preparations. Ann scurried out of the room. “Ann,” she called after the woman. “Hot water. Lots of hot water. I’ll need more than the hearth kettle can hold.”

She looked at the man who became more awake and alert by the minute. Usually a good sign, but now she’d rather he was neither. She’d brought many a warrior to his knees saving their lives. He would be no exception.

He raised his head and looked at her squarely. “What do you plan to do?” His voice was ragged and tired.

She hid her concern around her matter-of-fact tone. “The wound’s infected and must be cleaned.”

“How? You think to hold me down?” The hard lines on his face held no expression. He became more awake every minute.

“Yes, staying still may be difficult.” She noticed his hand begin to shake—a result of the poison. She must act quickly. What was taking Ann so long? She took a deep breath and remained calm on the outside. She rummaged through her kit and found what she needed, then busily prepared a tincture.

“You’ll not need to hold me down. I’ll not struggle.” His head fell back on the pillow.

She looked at him and noticed the shadow of a grimace pass over his face. “I don’t think you’ll be able...”

“I’ll make you a wager. If I lay still and leave you to your ministration, you will let me kiss you.” The teasing brought color to his gray cheeks.

Too surprised by his proposal to do more than stare at him, flashes of her vision raced through her mind.

“Do we have a wager?”

“And if you don’t stay still?” She bent back to preparing the tincture.

The amused gleam left his eyes. “Then you can call my men to hold me. But I will not die fighting my own men.” His teasing returned. “The thought of your kiss will keep me still. Do you agree to the wager?”

She brewed some dark tea with the water from the kettle and added the tincture. “I’m usually paid with chickens and vegetables. I’ve never been paid with a kiss.” No one could remain still. Not even him. She turned and faced him with the cup in her hand. She hesitated and reached in her kit and drew out an engraved stone. She put the cup aside and took the thin purple leather strip from her hair and threaded it through the amulet.

“If you wear this I will agree to your wager.”

He took a quick breath as a flash of pain caught him. He looked at the trinket then back to her. He nodded and let her put the amulet around his neck.

She knew he humored her but she didn’t care as long as he wore it. She retrieved the cup.

“And what’s this concoction you give me?” He sniffed at the cup.

“It’s to activate the spell in the amulet.”

His eyebrows flew up in surprise.

She let loose a mischievous laugh. “No, it’s only to take the edge off the pain.”

He relaxed and took the cup from her hand. “I’d rather drink your father’s ale.”

She lifted his head and helped him drink the tincture.

He downed the contents. His mouth puckered. “Let me live long enough to collect my wager. I’d rather die with the taste of your sweet lips on mine.” He chuckled but was caught once more with a spasm of pain.

He rested his head back on the pillow and turned to watch her. “Alas. My kiss will leave you wanting more I’m afraid. It’s a good thing you’ve called for my men. They may have to restrain you.”

She couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. Did he always face death with such boldness? She reached for the basin. “We shall see, m’lord.”

“Call me Alex. If we’re going to be intimate, we’re past polite.”

She froze at his suggestion the basin still in her hand. She took a calming breath. “We shall see... Alex.” She put the basin on the table near his bed. She was ready.

Ann arrived with four of Alex’s men close behind. She handed Lisbeth the linens and went off to refill the kettle.

“Have the men wait outside the door. I will call out if we need them,” said Lisbeth.

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