Page 97 of The Noldrin Witch

She sprang toward the pavilion at once. Before lifting the flap of the large tent, though, she decided it was best to leave Bruno on guard in case Morgaine failed to keep the men occupied.

“Stay here, Bruno,” she murmured.

The bird took flight until he reached the top of the standard. He settled beneath the waving banner, perched on a set of wooden crossbars.

With her heart racing into her throat and her mouth bone dry, Elise went inside, fearing she was already too late. The interior of the tent was as vast as a royal chamber, at least six times the size of the room she had been assigned at the castle. But the awe of the place quickly faded as her eyes settled on a pile of bloodied bandages and several basins in one corner, some filled with clear water, others with cloudy. A suit of steel armor stood between the bloodied corner and a massive bed carved from solid wood. A crimson canopy rose high above it while pelts lay scattered across the ground beneath.

Elise walked slowly toward the immense bed. The scent of blood filled her nostrils with a dread she couldn’t quite explain. She closed her eyes and prayed silently before her feet touched the pelts.

“Kurt?” she whispered.

Nothing.

“Kurt,” she tried again. This time a weak groan came from the bed.

A lump passed through her throat as she saw Kurt buried beneath a mountain of covers.

His skin was pale with a purple undertone. His lips were dry, and his eyes were sunken. Elise brought a hand to her mouth as she leaned closer. She tried to regain her composure and took one of the potions Morgaine had brought with her.

“Drink this,” she said softly.

It took a moment before Kurt could gather the strength to open his eyes, but when he did, it was as though a sudden spark of life had returned to him.

“Elise?”

Chapter 39

Elise watched Kurt struggle to drink the contents of the first vial: a dose of the Strength Potion. She remembered the blessed brew and the surge it had given her. She prayed the potion would restore at least a measure of his vitality.

After a few gulps, Kurt’s eyes flew open. Once freed from the many layers of blankets covering him, Elise could see the extent of his injuries. His left arm was wrapped in a bandage completely soaked with blood. Another bandage wrapped around his waist, nearly reaching his chest, and a third encircled his upper left thigh.

His dark blue eyes locked on Elise’s.

“How did you know? How did you get here?” he asked, his grip tightening around her hand.

His scent filled her senses the closer he came, drowning out the smell of blood that hung in the air. There was something almost intoxicating about it, as though the very air between them had turned warm. Elise didn’t know if it was his condition or the potion, but his nearness sent a tingling warmth across her skin.

“Drink these too,” Elise said, remembering the two remaining potions in the satchel.

She handed them to Kurt, and he drained each with a single gulp.

As he wiped the corners of his mouth, Elise could tell Morgaine hadn’t failed in choosing the brews. Kurt’s hand rose with renewed vigor in search of hers. His fingers traced the length of her arm, sending chills through her, before settling at her waist and gently pulling her closer.

Elise felt every part of her body awaken. The unexpected reaction startled her, but almost involuntarily she found herself closing the distance between them.

In that moment, only one thought took hold in her heart. She wanted Kurt to know exactly who she was. She wanted every lie and every unspoken truth to disappear at once.

“There are many things about me that you must know,” she said. “Back in Noldrin, I had no home, no coin, no employment.” She paused as she saw Kurt look at her with a measure of concern. “I’m not Elise de Varenne. I only used that name in the hope it would help my situation here. My real name is Elise Rumph. I took the surname from one of the only two books I inherited…everything else was taken from me…not that my family had much to begin with.”

“Elise,” Kurt murmured, taking both her hands in his.

She lowered her head as a lump formed in her throat. “I come from a rather wretched background. Whatever refinement I possess, I learned from a lady who took me under her wing. I was engaged to her nephew, but she broke off the engagement without him ever speaking to me again. I wasn’t even someone’s second choice…In truth, I had no choice at all back home.”

Kurt cupped her chin in his hand, and warmth filled his eyes. “None of that matters. I, too, have suffered the cruelty of deceit,” he said weakly. “I was once in love, but the woman I believed loved me left me for a king many years ago.”

Elise’s heart ached for him with every word he spoke. It was no wonder he had been so distant when he thought she and Sebastian had feelings for each other. His confession only strengthened her resolve to reveal more. Everything.

“There’s more I need to tell you, Kurt,” Elise whispered. “The man you saw me kissing...he’s not...well, he’s not from Noldrin.”