She didn’t speak during their trek back to the greenhouse.
This was how it was always going to end, anyway.At least you made it a year. And she had. She’d made it a year into her freedom before it would be stripped away. And that, at least, was something.
* * *
Despite the loominghunter behind her, Tallulah sighed as she landed on the old sofa inside the greenhouse. She took a deep inhale. Jasmine and mint and thyme all greeted her, and she savored it.
A throat cleared to her right, interrupting her quick moment of solitude.
“I need to look at your arm.” Evren leaned against the glass wall with his arms crossed.
Tallulah simply nodded. What other choice did she have? He stepped forward, but then paused, his hands fidgeting at his sides. Was he nervous?
“I won’t bite.” Tallulah laughed, which quickly turned to a cry as the pain in her shoulder flowed clear down her arm.
In an instant, Evren was there again. Kneeling in front of her like she was a Mother-damned queen. Like he wasn’t about to fix her up to sell her off. She hadn’t even heard him move. But his hands went instinctually to her arm, pressing against the wound. She was so shocked by his touch it took her a moment to realize the pain had lessened from the pressure.
Evren cleared his throat again. “Do you have…a thread and needle? I’ll need to stitch it.”
His face was only inches away from hers. After-shave and freshly fallen snow replaced the herbs lingering in the space. If she turned, even in the slightest, her lips would brush against the dark red scruff on his jaw. So, she sat perfectly still. Swallowing thickly and focusing on her breathing.
“In the second drawer.” She nodded to the rickety chest of drawers sitting in the corner.
Evren stood quickly and headed for the chest.
“There’s a needle and thread,” Tallulah continued, “but you’ll also need to apply some yarrow.”
Evren spun on his heels, his brows arched in confusion.
Tallulah stifled a laugh. “Just because you’re hauling me away to Valebridge doesn't mean I should sit and suffer while you do so. I imagine I’ll do plenty of that when I’m there.” Her voice broke on the last part and for a moment she swore she saw Evren flinch. “The yarrow will help ease the pain and fight off infection.”
“I…” Evren reached up to scratch the back of his head. His eyes were wide as he glanced around the abundance of different foliage taking over the greenhouse. “I don’t know what?—”
“Don’t worry.” Her breaths came in short pants, her chest constricting with each one. “I’ll show you.”
And then the room spun, and her vision went dark.
Ten
Evren knewthey couldn’t stay here long. Markus expected him in the next week and he had a job to do. But as soon as the woman’s head hit the sofa, he had no intention of leaving. His wounded leg was piercing, and his body ached for ale, but he couldn’t leave her here.
I need to make my coin.
Yes, that was the only reason he stayed. To stitch her up and bring her to King Roman in one piece. It most definitely wasn’t because of the hurt look in her blue eyes, or the electric pulse he felt kneeling beside her, or that she spared his life on more than one occasion.
No.
She was the means to end his current situation, and that was all.
He grabbed the thread and needle from the drawer and hurried back to the sofa where the Enchantress lay unconscious. Her body was freezing, yet clammy. Fever and infection would take her before the blood loss would, but he was still determined to suture her to the best of his abilities.
He readied the needle and took a deep breath. Exhaling through his lips, he was grateful she was unconscious for what came next. Even though he would sell her off to the corrupt king, he didn’t like to hurt anyone. Even in times such as this.
You’re not any better. He dismissed that little voice in his head. He needed to focus.
* * *
The Enchantress sleptfor several hours, the wound on her shoulder stitched nicely together, but without the plants she’d suggested, infection was at risk of taking over.
