CHAPTER10
Saoirse and Alex remained with Magnus throughout the night and into the following morning. The tincture she gave him worked, and Alex maneuvered him to the chamber pot. He insisted Saoirse allow him to do it alone. He knew it would humiliate Magnus once he woke if he learned Saoirse helped. He’d been hard enough on the man already. He didn’t need to kick him at his lowest moment.
“He’s nae sweating anymore, and I dinna think there is aught left for his body to pass.” Saoirse straightened the covers around Magnus’s chest after running a cool, wet linen over his arms and chest. She didn’t dare push the sheets lower. Her father had been an angel of mercy, so she wouldn’t summon the devil.
“Saoirse?”
“Magnus? I’m here.” Saoirse ran the cloth over his brow as his eyes fluttered open. She breathed a silent sigh of relief. But his glassy eyes still concerned her. She would wait to see if they cleared once he came around more.
“What happened?”
“Ye were ill. Ye vomited twice outside and once in here.”
“Why? I didna eat aught that others didna.”
“I dinna ken. When did ye start to feel poorly?”
“The day after I returned from the hunting trip. I was uncomfortable, but I didna think it was aught serious. But today I couldnae stop sweating, and ma chest hurt.”
“That was yesterday,” Alex chimed in as he came to stand behind Saoirse. Magnus’s gaze jumped to Alex. Saoirse didn’t care for the wariness that entered them. Magnus no longer trusted Alex.
“Magnus, ye collapsed outside ma healing room. Da and the others carried ye up here. He’s been helping me since yesterday afternoon.”
Magnus once more looked up at Alex. He nodded his appreciation when Alex cocked an eyebrow and darted his eyes to the chamber pot that sat near the bed, then looked down at Saoirse and shook his head.
“How do ye feel now?”
“Thirsty. Is there aught I can drink?”
Saoirse handed him a mug of cool water. “Sip.”
Magnus managed six sips before he covered his mouth. Saoirse snatched the chamber pot from the floor and barely placed it under his chin in time. The water came back up along with bile. Magnus slumped back against the pillows and shut his eyes.
“Magnus?” Saoirse handed the pot to her father and touched Magnus’s shoulder. When he didn’t rouse, she shook his shoulder. “Magnus?”
There was no response. The pattern continued throughout the day and through the next. He would rouse and try to sip water, but it wouldn’t stay down. He remained awake long enough to say he wished to sleep. Saoirse understood, but she felt a pang of hurt when he rolled away and adjusted his pillows.
“Da, I dinna ken what else to do. If he canna keep water in his belly, I canna give him aught else. His belly is empty, yet bile keeps coming up. It must burn his throat badly. He needs something to eat, or he’ll grow too weak to get better.”
“How much longer do ye think he can carry on if he doesnae start eating and drinking?”
“A couple more days.” It frustrated Saoirse that she couldn’t figure out a diagnosis, and it pained her to see the man she was falling in love with suffer so much. She’d returned to Alex’s embrace countless times during their hours of nursing Magnus. Most of the time, they didn’t speak. She drew strength from Alex’s companionable silence. He observed his daughter’s every move, concerned that she appeared exhausted too. He knew he was tired, but he had experience remaining awake for more than a day at a time.
“I’ll stay awake, Saoirse. Why dinna ye try to rest for a few hours in the chair?” He knew he would never convince her to leave. She hesitated, then nodded. She felt ready to drop. She dozed but never settled into a deep sleep.
Another night passed, as did a morning. By the fourth afternoon, Saoirse felt desperate. She tried spooning bone broth into him, hoping his stomach would accept something different. It stayed down longer than water, but it inevitably came up.
“Magnus, I dinna have any other solutions.” Saoirse murmured as she leaned forward to check on him. Her father rested in the chair, his breathing deep and regular. But she knew he would be awake in a flash if something disturbed him. She didn’t know any man who was a deep sleeper, which made Magnus’s condition so grave.
“Ye’re doing just what I need.”
Saoirse’s eyes widened. Magnus’s gaze met hers, and his eyes were clear. His stomach picked that moment to growl. It had gurgled angrily the first day, but then it had been silent until now. He shifted his gaze to Alex, who he could tell was awake, even if he kept his eyes closed.
“How do ye feel?”
“Much recovered. I’m starving.” Magnus mouthed, “For ye.”
“Do ye think ye could keep some broth down?”
