“Nay.”He pushed the oatcake aside and threw back the coverlet.
“What are ye doin’?”
He sat up on the edge of the bed and arched a brow at her.“I need to piss.”
Mortified, she bit her lip, lowered her head, and took a meek step backwards.
When she stole a glance at him, he was shaking his head in amusement as he rose to visit the garderobe.
Meanwhile, she threw open the shutters to let in the morning light, then spread honey-butter on an oatcake for herself.
She was mid-bite when he emerged again with a frown.
“You,” he proclaimed, “are a wicked thief.”
She half-choked on the oatcake.Snapping up the cup of wine, she took several gulps to wash down the crumbs.
So Hewdidsuspect her.
And he wasn’t mincing words.
He’d come straight out with a bold accusation.
Then he shook his head and clucked his tongue.“Pilfering my healing balm to sweeten your oatcakes.”He picked up the bowl of the honey-butter concoction.“Well, I won’t turn you in,” he said with a wink, “as long as you share.”
Somehow she regained her composure.Somehow her heartbeat resumed its normal pace.She even managed to imbue her gaze with a twinkle of amusement she didn’t feel.
Then she rasped out, “O’ course.”
He sat on the edge of the pallet and watched her spoon honey-butter onto an oatcake for him.Ordinarily, it was a task she did with ease.Today, however, she was as nervous as a kitchen lad on his first day.
Now she understood why Peris had been so anxious.It was unnerving to be suspected of a crime one hadn’t committed.Especially by a fierce warrior with a passion for justice and a menacing axe.
She offered him the oatcake.
“Are you all right?”he asked.
Was her worry so obvious?“Aye,” she lied.“But ye… How are ye feelin’?”
“My arms are better.But my head…” He grimaced.
“Ye’re probably cravin’ the opium,” she said, reaching for his cup.
When she peered down at the contents, she realized with horror she’d drunk three-quarters of it.
“Och.”It was all she could say, lowering the cup.
When he saw it was mostly gone, he glowered at her with feigned outrage.“Are you stealing my medicine as well?”
Her heart dropped.She was too panicked to even pretend to find humor in his words.
She’d never taken opium before.What would it do to her?
Would she lose her good judgment?
Her carefully constructed control over her emotions?
Would she embarrass her father?
