Tessa
The morning after we return from Rian’s palace, Erik doesn’t wake at sunrise, which takes me by surprise. Now that we have animals, there are chores to be done, so I occupy myself with feeding them and cleaning out the pens and stalls, then sweeping the small barn free of cobwebs. Once the animals are taken care of, Erik is still sleeping, so I set a hay bale against the wall of the barn and practice with a new dagger the way he showed me. I remember the way Rian grabbed my arm, and I swing hard each time, trying to keep my aim straight, my movement swift.
By the time I’m done, my shoulder aches, so I slip back into the house to start sorting through everything Rian provided, using one of the spare bedrooms to organize my apothecary supplies. I lay out bottles and instruments and my books and any herbs I have from the ship, then grind and pour and measure anything that might be useful when we head into town tomorrow. Within afew hours, I have a rather comprehensive kit assembled, but now it’s midday and there’s still been no sign of Erik.
I remember him wincing in the wagon last night and wonder if his wound was worse than he was telling me.
Men.Worry might be twisting in my gut, but I scowl anyway. I wash up from my work, then peek into his sleeping quarters, where he’s snoring in the sunlight.
Well, at least I know he’s still breathing.
I don’t want to disturb him, but he hasn’t slept this late since we arrived, and it doesn’t seem typical. We were gone quite a long time yesterday, and I creep into the room, studying him, trying to determine if his coloring looks off, or whether his skin looks clammy.
No and no.
But still. He could have developed an infection. A fever could make him sleep like this. He’s shirtless, but his blankets cover his waist, so I can’t tell if his wound has started seeping or if the bandages are still in place. I move closer, wondering if I can touch him without waking him.
Someone bangs at the front door to the house, and I jump and give a little yip—but that’s nothing compared to the way Erik startles, throwing blankets aside and pulling a dagger from under his pillow.
“Erik!” I cry, stumbling back. “It’s just me!”
He blinks at me, freezing in place.
Someone pounds at the door again, but it’s abruptly cut off.
Erik straightens. “Then who’s that?”
A woman’s muffled voice is audible from outside. “Ellmo!” she’s saying sharply. “Stop pounding on the door like that. They could be out on the water.”
The boy’s little voice comes back at once. “Do you think we could take the honey if they’re not here?”
“We’re here!” I yell. “I’ll be right out.”
Erik gives me a withering glance, then sighs. “Allow me a few minutes to get dressed, Miss Tessa.” But then he frowns. “Why were you in here?”
I’m already by the door to his quarters, and I can feel heat in my cheeks. “I was worried about you. It’s late.”
He looks at the sunlight streaming through the window and grimaces. “Forgive me. The animals need to be fed—”
“I took care of it. You needed the sleep. I was worried you had a fever.”
He shakes his head. “I’m all right. Just tired.”
Ellmo shouts, “Are you sure you’re in there, Miss Tessa?” before Olive hushes him.
Erik glares, but he rubs a hand over his face. “I’ll be out in a moment. Tell that little demon I’ll soak him in honey if he bangs on the door like that again.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ll tell him yourself.”
When I get to the door, I’m surprised to find Olive with a basket, and Ellmo peering in the windows. I invite them both inside.
“You don’t need to peek,” I tell him. “You were already inside last night.”
“But it was dark!” he says. “I didn’t even get the toys you promised.”
“They’re in one of the bedrooms. You can go look. But don’t bother Erik. He’s getting dressed, and he was ready to soak you in honey for waking him up.”
He scampers off. It looks like Olive has a new bandage on her arm, so I say, “Was your wound bothering you?”
