“I’d rather have a hearty bowl of potage, but I’ll accept broth.” Magnus’s grin eased the tightness that had settled around Saoirse’s heart. She watched Magnus sit up with ease, as though he hadn’t spent the better part of four days unresponsive. “Whatever it was has sorted itself out. I’m ready to return to the land of the living.”
Saoirse prepared to spoon feed him more bone broth, but he took the bowl from her. He brought it to his mouth and sipped. “Ye’re exhausted,leannan.” Sweetheart. It was the first time he’d ever used an endearment. She beamed. “Ye need rest more than I do now.”
“I can sleep now that I ken ye’re on the mend.”
“Ye and yer da both deserve a good night’s sleep. Ye should both retire. I dinna want ye to be the next one to fall ill.”
Saoirse hesitated. She wasn’t certain he was ready to be left alone. Plus, she didn’t want to leave. She wanted more time with him now that he was awake. But she knew her father would soon agree with Magnus and shoo her from the chamber.
“Vera well. I’ll go, but I’m sending Auntie Siùsan to check on ye. I’m nae convinced ye should be alone yet.”
“I’m certain she worried. I’d like her company.”
“She did. Whenever her duties didna keep her away, she came to check on ye.”
“Thank ye, Saoirse.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. He’d known she never left his side. He’d been too miserable to talk or do more than breathe, but he’d heard her talk to him while he dozed. He’d heard Alex comfort her when she expressed her mounting fears. He loathed that he’d upset her so, but he hadn’t the energy to do more than sleep. But now he felt rested and almost back to his usual vim and vigor.
She leaned forward and dropped a peck on his cheek. She rose before her father could object. She was certain now that he was awake. She tidied the room, leaving the ingredients for her tinctures out in case she had to try them again.
“I’m glad ye’re well. We all worried greatly.” Alex gave Magnus a pointed look before he smiled. He’d seen how distrusting the younger man was when he woke. It pained him that he’d caused the rift by being so obstinate. Watching Saoirse’s reactions and sensing her distress made him accept her feelings were far more than superficial. Magnus called out to her the few times she moved away from the bed to nap in the chair. He’d sensed her absence. A man who merely lusted for a woman wouldn’t seek her in his darkest hours of illness.
“Thank ye.”
“We shall talk soon. I’ve changed ma mind.” Alex squeezed Magnus’s shoulder before moving away from the bed. Magnus watched him, struck silent at the unexpected change. Saoirse continued to tidy the chamber, but she heard Alex.
As her father waited at the door, she looked at Magnus and mouthed, “Later.”
“Could ye hand me a sprig of mint before ye go, please?”
Saoirse couldn’t blame him for wanting to refresh his mouth. She grabbed some fresh leaves. They appeared on each tray sent up for Magnus, but they’d gone to waste until now. He gladly chewed on it, letting it sit in the gap between his teeth and cheek for a moment. He spat it out and watched Saoirse and Alex leave.
The door hadn’t been closed a minute when the stomach cramping began again. He threw back the covers, threw on a leine from the foot of the bed, wobbled on his feet, then dived for the chamber pot. The broth, mixed with mint, made him heave even more.
“Saoirse!”
He gripped the pot as the door flew open. Saoirse ran back inside, Siùsan and Alex following her.
“What happened?”
“I dinna ken. One moment I was right as rain, the next I was racing to the chamber pot.”
Saoirse helped him back onto the bed. “How do ye feel?”
“Better. It was vera odd. Naught aboot the broth made me feel ill until I had the mint.”
Saoirse’s brow furrowed. She grabbed the remaining mint and carried it to the window embrasure. She pushed aside the hide covering and held the plant to the light. She ran her finger over the leaves and stem before putting the tip to her tongue. There was a residue that shouldn’t have been on the plant. She could taste nothing, but she was certain someone tampered with the mint. She recalled how Magnus’s breath always smelled of mint. She’d not given it much consideration until now.
“Do ye chew mint throughout the day?”
“Aye. I noticed I dinna grow as hungry if I chew on it from time to time.”
Saoirse looked at her aunt, then at her father, before she spoke. “Who’s been cutting the mint that comes with Magnus’s trays?”
“I dinna ken.” Siùsan approached her niece and looked over her shoulder at the mint. “Is something wrong with it?”
“I think so. There’s something on it that shouldnae be. The leaves arenae the right texture. But whatever it is has nay taste or smell. I canna tell what it is.”
“Ye think someone is poisoning me?” Magnus spoke in disbelief.
