“Well, I sometimes still refer to the alphabet book Basilla gave me,” she admitted, “but yes, I’ve come a long way.” She took the book from him and flipped it open to a passage. “This is a technique that produces a humming noise that is very harsh on the ears. It can be used to stun dogs and wolves, or other creatures with sharphearing.”
“Like elves,” Lucyan said, nodding. “Or evendragons.”
Dareena smiled, turning to another page. “This one here talks of taking the life energy and forming it into a weapon,” she said. “Some people fashion it into spears, others shoot it from their hands likearrows.”
Lucyan’s eyebrows rose. “That sounds handy,” he said. “Have you tried any ofthese?”
Dareena shook her head. “I couldn’t risk the guards overhearing,” she said, glancing toward the door. “But now that they’re no longer rightoutside…”
“You could try it now,” Lucyan finished. “At least the weapon thing. I’d advise against the humming noise—they would definitely hearthat.”
Dareena nodded. She rose from the bed and covered her body in a dressing gown, much to Lucyan’s disappointment. Lucyan quickly dressed, then joined her, not wanting to be on the receiving end of whatever shesummoned.
“This may not work,” she warned, raising her hand. “I’ve gotten a little better at gathering energy from the air, but this could require more than I canmanage.”
“Just do your best,” Lucyan said. He stood back and watched as Dareena focused on her hand, pursing her lips. The air in the room shifted, and sure enough, he could feel the hum of power as it gathered around her. By the gods, he hadn’t doubted her when she told him she could use elven magic, but hearing it was quite different from watching it atwork.
“It’s working,” Lucyan said, his voice hushed but excited. Her hand was glowing, sparks crackling in the air around it. “Come on, Dareena, you can dothis!”
Dareena sucked in a breath. The light grew brighter, and suddenly, a glowing whip unfurled from her hand. It crackled as it hit the floor, throwing off sparks, and Lucyan’s eyes widened. A few of the sparks left scorch marks on the floor andwalls.
“I—I did it!” Dareena exclaimed. As soon as she said the words, the whip flickered out of existence. “Or at least, I did for a moment,” she said, a little putout.
“Damn right you did.” Lucyan gathered her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Don’t look so disappointed—this is excellent news! With a bit of practice, you’ll be wielding that whip in notime.”
The two of them returned to bed to snuggle for a little while, and they slept until sunrise. Rays of pink and gold peeked through the curtains when Lucyan opened his eyes, and he nuzzled the back of Dareena’s neck. This was the best night of sleep he’d gotten in a longtime.
“Time for me to get up,” he said, kissing her neck. “I’ve got to be in Alistair’s room before a servant showsup.”
“Mmm.” Dareena turned in his arms, her eyes half-lidded. “I’ll joinyou.”
Lucyan dressed quickly, reluctantly putting his disguise back in place while Dareena donned the dressing gown again. They returned to Alistair’s room to find him sleeping peacefully and looking significantly improved from lastnight.
“Morning,” his brother rumbled, pushing himself upright. His sleepy gaze moved between the two of them, and he smiled knowingly. “The two of you look well-rested.”
“As do you,” Dareena said, smiling. She sat down on the bed next to Alistair and felt his forehead. “No fever,” she said, “and your color looks good. I believe you’re back to normal.” She ran her fingers through his messy blond hair as she kissedhim.
“And here I thought I was the doctor,” Lucyan teased as Dareena cuddled Alistair. A pang of jealousy hit him, but it was less about Alistair holding Dareena’s attention and more about the fact that he couldn’t rejoin her in bed. But he was Dr. Harrigan again, and it would raise some very awkward questions if he was found in bed with her by one of theelves.
“You are,” Alistair said, grinning, “and your treatment was quite effective. Though I suppose you’ll be wanting your medicine back,” he added, unfastening the amulet from around hisneck.
“You should wear that for as long as possible—” Lucyan began, but just then someone knocked on the door. “Who is it?” he called as Dareena jumped up from the bed, an alarmed look on her face. Lucyan remembered that Drystan had given the elven duchess the distinct impression that he alone was Dareena’s mate…did the elves still think that, or were they aware of theirarrangement?
“It’s Princess Basilla,” the visitor called. “I’m coming to check on yourpatient.”
“Come in,” Lucyan said, snatching the amulet from Alistair’s hand and putting it in his coat pocket. He turned to greet the princess just in time to see the look of pleased surprise on her face as she beheldAlistair.
“You are looking much improved,” she said to Alistair as she stopped at the foot of the bed. “How are youfeeling?”
“Like a new man, thanks to the doctor,” Alistair said. “I am grateful to you for hiringhim.”
“It was the least I could do after the way my horrid brother treated you,” Basilla said. She turned her gaze to Lucyan. “Unfortunately, my father has said that once Alistair is nursed back to health, you must leave the building. His policy about not letting outsiders into the castle is ratherstrict.”
“I understand,” Lucyan said, inclining his head. “Before I go, could I have a chance to speak to my patient and his…friend…alone? I need to give them instructions on how to administer the potions I will be leavingbehind.”
“Of course.” Princess Basilla glanced between them, and Lucyan could have sworn he caught a glimmer of skepticism in her eyes. But she left, and Lucyan made a big show of rummaging through his doctor’s bag within view of the guards before she closed herdoor.
“You can’t leave now,” Dareena whispered, clutching at Lucyan’s arm. “You only just got here, and we haven’t come up with a good planyet!”
