“She has kept nothing down these past days,” Dominic said simply. “And that includes our herbs and potions. Items that normally end nausea only seem to worsen the problem. She retches up everything we give her. Her urine output is decreased, she complains of thirst, her hair and skin are dry, and her cycle is upon her, which only adds to her misery.” He took a deep breath “M’lord, she will die if she cannot drink.”
Fear lanced through him, clutching at his heart. This could not be possible, and yet Dominic’s face told him otherwise.
“I mean no offense,” Verice said, “but perhaps another healer…?”
Dominic gave him a look that managed to combine sympathy and arrogance all at once. “M’lord, I am your foremost healer.”
“I—” Verice wasn’t sure how to reply to that. True enough, Dominic was skilled but there had to be someone—
Dominic wasn’t done. “I met a woman when I was in Edenrich. A mage, but also a priestess with the gift of magical healing.” His face was tight, as if with pain. “Evelyn.”
Verice frowned. “Lady High Priestess Evelyn?” At Dominic’s nod his frown deepened. “She’s human, Dominic. And bound to the Church of Palins, which supports the Usurper. I daren’t be beholden to—”
“Evelyn is not like that,” Dominic said. “She heals all and sundry, even ministering to the poor when she was told to attend only those of the highest rank.” Dominic shook his head as if he could hardly believe it. “She’d come, m’lord. And she may be Lady Warna’s only hope.”
Verice drew a breath, seeing what it cost the proud mael before him to utter those words.
But it was only a breath of hesitation. His heart reflected the fear in Dominic’s eyes.
“Contact her,” Verice said. “See if she will aid us.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lady High Priestess Evelyn was both mage and priest. After she agreed to come, she offered to open her own portal. But Verice insisted on controlling access. He opened a portal for her right in the bedchamber after excusing all but Dominic.
Dominic stepped within the glowing oval, and returned with a woman wearing the formal hooded cloak and embroidered white and gold robes of a priestess of the Lord of Light. She was short in stature to Verice’s surprise, and her smile was serene and kind.
“Lord Verice,” she said softly, her attention focused on Warna, who lay in the bed just beyond. “This is Warna?” she asked, moving to her side. “Dominic has told me of the problem.” She threw back her hood, and removed her cloak, tossing it aside. “Let me see what I can do for her.”
“My thanks, Lady High Priestess. I owe you-” Verice started.
“Nothing,” Evelyn interrupted. Verice hesitated, expecting more talk. He blinked in amazement as power started to gather in the priestess’s hands. Wasting no time, she leaned over and placed her hands on Warna’s breast.
Warna roused, opening dazed eyes, but not seeming to really see. Verice swallowed hard.
Evelyn’s eyes were closed. It might have been the effect of her robes and the candlelight, but Verice could have sworn that the woman seemed to glow with divine light as she ran her hands down, moving the bedding aside to get access to Warna’s body. Warna shivered for just a moment, then closed her eyes and seemed to relax into Evelyn’s touch.
Dominic stood beside Verice, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robes, and watched Evelyn work. There was a look in his eyes...and Verice was almost sure it was envy, for the power Evelyn wielded. But after another glance, he knew it wasn’t jealousy.
It was desire for the human woman.
‘Poor mael,’ was all he had time to think before Evelyn started talking.
“Gwenwyth, correct?” Evelyn said, holding her hands over Warna’s stomach.
“Yes,” Dominic said. “An elven tea, but humans sometimes cannot tolerate it. I’ve never seen this severe of a reaction before.”
Evelyn nodded, her eyes still closed. “Yes, I can see it, lingering in her stomach and bowels. Poor thing, no wonder she’s so weak. She can’t rid herself of it with fluids, and it won’t dissipate on its own.” Evelyn wrinkled her nose. “I’m afraid this is going to be unpleasant.”
“Unpleasant?” Verice demanded.
“Once we wake her, we’ll get her to drink as much as she can. I’ll aid to help cleanse the gwenwyth from her body, but it must come out, and she’s already exhausted from vomiting. I’ll strengthen her as much as I can before we purge her.” Evelyn said calmly, ignoring Verice’s reaction. “And we’ll carry her into the jakes before we start. Dominic and I can handle the details.” She focused calm blue eyes on him. “You might want to leave, m’lord.”
“No,” Verice started to remove his leather tunic. “I’m staying.”
Evelyn raised an eyebrow at that, but she merely glanced at Dominic, who shrugged. “Very well,” she said, and leaned over her patient. “Warna? I need you to wake.”
Warna blinked at her, rousing with some difficulty. “Are you an Angel of Light?” she asked drowsily.
