“No!” The exclamation had me sucking in a breath through my gritted teeth. It was too abrupt, too loud, and hurt my throat as well as my head. “I can do this part myself, thank you very much. And then maybe some breakfast will help.” I reached up and pressed my cool fingertips against my temple on one side, the throbbing behind it wildly painful.
You can just think our conversation at me, you don’t have to speak. Maybe that will help too.
I tried what she suggested as I made my way to the sink.Can you hear me?
Perfectly.
How convenient.I wet a cloth in cold water and pressed it to my face and neck. My eyes were red and irritated, my throat dry and achy, like I’d spent the night breathing smoke. I resorted to splashing water directly onto my skin and drinking a bit from my cupped hands. Once slightly more revived, I made use of the toilet and very gently brushed some of the knots out of my hair, which had finally gotten long enough to tangle. Even my scalp was sore.Will this work when you’re far away?
I don’t know. We’ll just have to try and see what happens.
Cheered by the possibility, I pulled on my most comfortable leggings and oversize tunic, surprised by a gentle rap at the door just as I turned to find some heavy socks. The toes of Tap’s shoes and the long outline of his body were visible in the gap where the door was cracked.
“Phin?”
“Yes, you can come in,” I said, pushing the door open.
“I thought you might be hungry.” He held a tray in his hands, one with strange legs on it. “Though I expected to just leave this on the dresser, if I’m honest. I’m surprised you’re up. Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, I’m okay.”
Go sit in the bed, mistress.Ramsey instructed, her laughter clear inside my thoughts.
I did what she asked, Tap visibly relaxing as I made myself comfortable with pillows at my back. “Oh.” My gasp was audible as he settled the tray across my lap, the reason for the design now obvious. “I could have gone to the kitchen.”
Tap ducked his head and spread the items out across the tray. “I wasn’t sure what would sit best, or if you were feeling ill, so I brought a bit of everything.” He moved the dishes apart, revealing that he’d made me toast with jam, a bowl of hot grain cereal with syrup and dried fruit, plus a bowl of halvedstarberries. There were also three cups on the tray, a small one of apple cider, a mug of tea and another tall glass of water. “The sweetness helps when my stomach’s off sometimes.” He gestured at the cider.
“This is so nice.” My voice was thick, awe and confusion warring in my chest.
“One more thing.” He reached into his back pocket and produced the little bouquet Merry had given me, safely tucked into in a lopsided vase I suspected he’d made on the pottery wheel in the workshop. As I stared, Tap set the vase on my bedside table, turning it so I’d get the best view of the pretty little wildflowers.
Oh my, mistress. Breakfast in bed? Flowers? You are indeed well cared for here.
Ramsey! I scolded, my face hot. She just laughed again and hopped up onto the foot of the bed so nimbly the mattress barely registered her weight at all.
I could have blamed the effects of having drunk the spirits or my episodes, but those things were not to blame for my racing pulse. Tap had performed all these tasks hovering over me, his face mere inches from mine. His arm brushed the sleeve of my tunic, the scent of him in my nose as I tried to slow my breathing.
“Thank you.” Even my voice had stopped working properly.
“The pleasure is mine.” If I hadn’t been so close, I wouldn’t have seen the blush that stained his cheeks and even spread to the tips of his ears as he met my eye. “I’ll come back in a while and get the tray.”
“No, you don’t have to. I’ll take it and wash the dishes when I’m finished. I need to get to the library anyway, I’m already?—”
“Please don’t say late.” He shook his head. “Because you’re not. You’re having a very well-deserved lie in. You don’t have togo in that room at all, not today or tomorrow or the next day unless you want to.”
“But—”
“No. Phin, please. Rest. Take care of yourself. The library project is not meant to consume all your time, nor is it a race. Take the day. I’ll come back later to check on you. Ramsey.” He bent at the waist, not quite going into a bow as he addressed her. Then, not waiting for my response, he strode out the door, leaving it open a few inches like I preferred.
As I sampled the hot cereal, Ramsey’s cackle was loud in my aching skull.Well cared for indeed.
I have no idea what’s going on,I admitted.
Really? Because it looks to me as though you’ve stumbled into a lovely situation. Accept the kindness, mistress. You deserve this.
“What isthis?” I asked quietly.
Comfort. Consideration. Kindness. All things you’ve lacked for some time.
