Page 88 of Edge of the Wild

“You think I was hallucinating.”

His head tilted in plain confirmation.

Rune said, “Tessa, you went totally limp – you fainted – and when you came to, you told me that there was a blue light, and that I was gone, and that you stood at the mouth of a cave.”

“I don’t know that it was a cave. It only…looked like a cave.”

“Either way, that’s a hallucination!”

“It certainly sounds like it,” Olaf agreed.

“But I’m not sick,” she protested. “I don’t have marsh fever.”

“That you know of.”

Rune said, “Maybe it isn’t that. Maybe it was me that caused it. When I kissed you–” He cut off with a strangled sound and a bugging of his eyes, gaze darting to Olaf. “Nevermind. Pretend I didn’t say that.”

“Ah,” Olaf said, mildly, glancing between them in turn.

Tessa’s face heated. “I’m sure that wasn’t it.”

“Not likely,” Olaf said. To Rune: “Kisses are rarely a cause for unusual activity of the mind – even a prince’s kisses, I’m afraid.”

Rune finally had some color in his cheeks, two bright spots just beneath the prominent slant of bone; his gaze stayed fixed on Olaf, though. “Olaf, you mustn’t say anything to anyone.” He was trying to sound stern, Tessa thought.

Olaf looked amused. “Of course not, your grace.” To Tessa, growing serious: “But I would like you to be very vigilant of your own health for the next while, my lady. If another instance occurs, I should like to administer a tincture such as the one I gave your cousin.”

“But I don’t have marsh fever.”

“So you’ve said. And I shall say again: that you know of.”

She left the surgery more than a little frustrated – and with Rune still insisting on escorting her, his knees still threatening to give. “Where to next?” he asked.

She slipped her arm through his and pulled it tight in an effort to provide what support she could. “To your room.”

“Oh. Um.”

“To put you straight to bed.”

“Oh, come now, I don’t–”

With a rustle of woolen skirts, Lady Estrid whipped around the corner, hands clasped before her, cold smile already affixed to her face.

She’d heard them, Tessa realized with a lurch, and had been lying in wait for them. “Rune! How lovely to see you up and about so soon.” The surprise levered into her voice didn’t touch her eyes, her brows low and smooth over a cold gaze – one that cut to Tessa with what could only be described as relish. “And Lady Tessa. How kind of you to lend a helping hand. I hope neither of you is feeling poorly.” She lifted a hand to point behind them, toward the surgery door.

“No, just a little check-up. If you’ll excuse us.” Tessa gave a tug on Rune’s arm, and he was all too happy to step past her and continue on their way.

Behind them, Estrid said, “Oh, so it was you in to see the physician, then, Tessa?”

Tessa paused and glanced back over her shoulder. “Pardon?”

“When you said check-in, I thought…” Estrid’s eyes widened. She fluttered a hand over her mouth – hiding a smile. “Oh, silly me. Forget I even asked.” She winked. “Your secret’s safe with me. Have a good afternoon, you two.”

It wasn’t until Tessa had muttered a quick goodbye and started them down the hall again that she realized what Estrid had been implying. Then she froze again.

“What?” Rune asked. Worried: “Is it happening again?”

“I wish. No. This is – this isgossip. Or the potential for it, at any rate.”

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