"The herbal tea Deidra gave her is working." Colin was glad she was out of pain, at least, both physical and emotional. Mayhap he should request some tea himself, so he could forget the mental anguish.
He glanced aside at Neacal, who stood near the door looking troubled. Colin was certain he must be remembering the conversation they'd had a few days ago about Kristina's blindness possibly returning.
"Do you wish me to sit with her for the rest of the night?" Anna asked.
"Nay, go get some sleep. I'll take a nap in the morn while you visit with her."
"Very well. Send someone to get me if you need me."
"I will."
Anna left the room with Neacal.
Colin forced himself to focus on the gratitude he felt for her awakening, and not on her returned blindness or her reluctance to marry him.
***
When next Kristina awakened, her arm ached and darkness surrounded her. At first, she thought it was night, then she remembered her vision had been destroyed again. She pressed her eyes closed and clenched her teeth in disappointment, as well as frustration and anger. A sharp pain bolted through her head.
Groaning, she forced herself to relax again.
"Glad I am that you're awake again, m'lady." She recognized Tavia's friendly voice. She had liked Tavia from the first moment she'd met her, weeks ago at Bearach. "Are you in pain?"
"Some." 'Twas not so bad if she held still, but her body was exceedingly tired of lying on one side. She yearned to lie on her back, but knew if she moved, the pain in her arm would be unbearable. Her head, too.
"Do you think you can drink a sip of broth?"
She could hardly tolerate the thought of food, but knew Tavia would not let up until she drank some. "I will try."
"I'm glad to see you awake again, Lady Kristina." Colin entered the room, his boots clunking on the wooden floor. "How do you feel?" Was he truly as cheerful as he sounded, or was he only pretending for her sake?
Either way, her heart leapt in excitement upon hearing his voice. "Grand," she muttered dryly, but could not prevent the corners of her lips from lifting a wee bit.
He snorted. "'Tis wondrous that you still have your sense of humor."
What choice did she have? She must accept her fate once again. She had never been good at feeling sorry for herself.
"Will you help me lift her, m'laird, so she can drink a few sips of broth?" Tavia asked.
"Aye." Colin moved around the bed and behind her. He slid his warm hand beneath her side. "Am I hurting you?"
"Nay." She loved feeling his hand there, but she braced for the pain she knew would follow once he moved her.
He raised her up and the dull throbbing in her head increased, but worst of all, a sharp pain stabbed through her broken arm. Holding her breath, she forced herself not to cry out. She didn't want him to think he'd hurt her.
"Here we are, m'lady. The broth is warm, but not too hot."
Ignoring the pain as best she could, Kristina forced herself to breathe normally. She smelled the broth before the wooden cup touched her lips. Her stomach almost rebelled, but she knew she had to drink it in order to start recovering. A bit of the warm, salty liquid slid into her mouth, and she swallowed. 'Twas very hearty and tasted like venison stew. Two sips were all she could tolerate before the nausea rose up. "That's enough."
Colin lay her back down in bed and she waited for the pain to drift away. As she relaxed, the sharpest pain did subside, but the dull ache in her arm and head remained.
"I'm happy to see you're getting better." The chair by the bed creaked as Colin sat down. He did sound merrier than the day before.
"I thank you for helping me and staying by my side."
He kissed the back of her hand. "No thanks needed."
She wished more than anything she could see Colin's sweet, handsome face right now. Surely, he wore a pleasant expression.
