Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

S hade stretched her shoulders back to ease the ache between them. She dropped the soiled cloth in the bucket of water with the other cloths that would get a good washing tomorrow. It had taken time, but she had managed to clean and tend to Quint's wounds.

His name fell easily from her lips now, referring to him by it so often while she worked on him that it almost felt as if he were her friend. On closer inspection of his wounds, she realized a section of his arm would require a few stitches. She had given him a small amount of black henbane to keep him sleeping so he would not suffer the pain of being stitched. Luckily, his shoulder bone hadn't been impacted by the dagger, though she packed the wound with sphagnum moss to help heal it. It was his fever and a section of his wound that she feared might be beyond her help that worried her the most. She had made a paste of betony and heart-of-the-earth and applied it to his wounds before bandaging them. Both plants worked remarkably well in healing stubborn wounds.

Once finished, she had gotten busy trying to rid him of his fever. There were certain situations where fevers were left to run their course and other times when they could prove dangerous. Quint's fever was a dangerous one and she had made a brew of elderflowers and thyme that she spoon fed him. Cold, wet cloths applied to his brow and neck followed that and thankfully the fever had faded but not vanished entirely. She would need to keep a watch on him throughout the night.

Now that he rested comfortably, she intended to do the same herself, knowing she would not get much sleep tonight. She filled a bowl with the kale and onion soup she had managed to hurriedly throw together in between caring for him. Experience had taught her to not neglect herself when healing or she would be of no help to anyone.

She sat at the table, enjoying the soup along with the reprieve, her glance drifting often to the man in her bed. Quint was a fit man, defined with muscles, and scars here and there that acknowledged his warrior status. She had viewed naked men before now, helping local women prepare their husbands and sons for burial, so a man's naked body was not a foreign sight to her. However, she had never seen a body quite as fit as Quint's or a flaccid manhood of such generous size.

"Do not let your mind wander there," Shade whispered to herself, though she did wonder why it did.

Normally, she would never think of such an intimate thing when treating someone. She imagined such thoughts lingered with her because of Quint's remark about bedding her and making it a memorable night. He did say she wasn't a beauty, but that she was attractive enough, something she had never heard from any man. That he had noticed her body and found it appealing was surprising to hear as well.

"Fever," Shade reminded herself. Fever had him speaking improperly to her, though he had been rational enough to offer coupling with her as payment for her services. "Lonely," she muttered. Her thoughts were thus because she had been feeling lonely of late, Ula was no longer nearby to chat with, and she no longer had Brother Emmett to share thoughts on healing. "Don't be a foolish woman, Shade," she warned herself. "Or desperate to know a man's touch. If it is meant to be, a man will come your way." She glanced upon Quint once again. Had he already arrived?

She shook her head at such a reckless thought. He had sought her healing skills and that was what she would remain to him, a healer and nothing more.

Checking on Quint after she finished her soup and cleaning away everything, she was relieved to feel that his fever remained low. She placed a small crock that contained the brew for his fever on the chest beside the bed, then set to scrubbing the dirty cloths, slipping out into the light rain to dump the dirty water and refill the bucket with clean rainwater and another bucket as well. She arranged the washed cloths to dry on a bench she placed close to the hearth, then turned the chair she sat in nightly that faced the hearth around to face Quint.

Hopefully, morning would find his fever gone and with that thought, she rested her head back and closed her eyes.

"NAY! NAY!"

The shouts woke Shade with a start that had her bolting out of the chair. Quint was thrashing around in the bed, and she didn't need to feel his brow to know his fever had risen. She quickly soaked and rinsed a cloth in the bucket of water and placed it on his brow.

"Easy, Quint. There is no need for worry," she said softly, stroking his cheek gently with her hand and alarmed at how hot it felt.

His hand shot up so fast to grip her wrist that she had no time to avoid it. He held it so tightly it felt like a shackle locked around it.

"I forbid you to leave me," he ordered angrily.

She kept her voice calm, though she felt a slight fright. He was a strong man who could do her harm, and she had to be careful. "I am not going anywhere."

"You will stay with me."

Again, it was a command. "Aye, I will stay with you."

"Always. You will stay with me always," he said, his anger fading with his strength.

"Aye, always," she said and realized his fever had taken him to another time and place and it wasn't her who he feared losing.

He yanked her wrist, causing her to fall forward nearly on top of him if she hadn't stopped herself, rushing to brace her other hand on the bed. Still, though, she found her face so close to his that she could feel the heat of his fever.

"I will have your word on that," he demanded.

She was left little choice but to say, "You have my word."

His eyes drifted closed, her response appeasing him, and Shade hurried to spoon more of the brew into his mouth which he took eagerly. She then continued to lay a wet cloth on his brow, neck, and chest, resoaking it as soon as the heat chased the chill from it.

It was well into the night before his fever broke and she laid her hand against a cool brow. Relieved and exhausted, she dropped down on the chair, her body slumping back and sleep claiming her.

Quint woke slowly, feeling as if he had woken from a battle that he just might have lost. He was getting too old for battles not only as fiercely as he'd been fighting, but as often. Soon, though, his task would be done and once it was, he intended to live out his days in solitude.

He should open his eyes to see where he was, but he was far too comfortable in whose ever bed it was he landed in. He went to stretch and force some life back into his complacent limbs, aware he could not lay there vulnerable. That's when the pain struck, and he recalled what had happened.

He opened his eyes to glance at his bandaged shoulder and arm. The confrontation had been unexpected and though he'd been wounded, it was worth it. There was now only one man left to find and then he would have his revenge.

Quint realized the bandages he looked at were the only things he wore. He was completely naked beneath the blanket, though it did feel good. He recalled feeling a tremendous heat and struggling to get layer after layer of garments off him, but gentle hands stopped him, a soothing voice telling him everything would be fine. He had believed her, but then her touch had been gentle and cool and had felt wonderful.

The healer.

He turned his head and saw her sleeping in the chair facing the bed. She was slumped over some, her head almost reaching her shoulder. He had tried to tend to his own wounds, but he had been wise enough to know he needed help when he felt the warmth creeping over him.

She was attractive enough with a fine body and he recalled the sweet scent of her long auburn hair that fell loose from the braid that had attempted to tame it. He did not recall being that close to her to remember the scent of her hair, but he must have been.

Another recall caught him off guard. In exchange for her healing him, she expected him to bed her. He let his glance roam over her. It would be no chore to couple with her and he had not been with a woman in a long time. It might be a fair exchange. That he even gave it a thought surprised him. He turned his head away from her. His need had been growing, though he wondered if any woman could ever satisfy him again.

"You're awake."

He turned to see her stretch herself out of the chair, easing the ache out of her body, her full breasts becoming more prominent as she drew her shoulders back. He felt a tingle in his groin. That she stirred him even in his weakened condition made the prospect of repaying her that more pleasant.

"Feeling better?" she asked as she approached the bed.

"I feel as if I just got beaten in a battle," he said.

Shade smiled. "I can assure you that you were the victor in last night's battle."

"I am usually the victor in any battle," he said, trying to ignore the fact that he found her soft smile and soothing voice pleasant. He had no time for pleasantries. He needed to be done here, though he was wise enough to know he was not sufficiently healed to go anywhere just yet.

"You may need to battle again if your fever returns," she said and stopped beside the bed. "May I feel your brow?"

"You seek permission for something so unintrusive when you have disrobed me and viewed me naked?" he asked.

"It was a choice I made in helping to bring your fever down and I kept your bottom half covered. Though you threw the covers off yourself when you thrashed around hot with fever."

"It was that bad?"

"Bad enough that I feared I might lose you."

Feared she would lose him.

She sounded as if she did care if she lost him. But then a good healer would care if she lost anyone who came to her for help. "You will not lose me. I am too stubborn to die just yet, and you need no permission to feel my brow."

"Thank you, it makes it that much easier for me to tend to you."

He shut his eyes when her cool hand rested on his brow, and he almost pulled her hand back when she removed it, it felt so good and brought with it a modicum of relief.

"You are warm again," she said. "I have a brew for you to drink that hopefully will continue to keep the fever at bay. You also need to rest and give your wounds time to heal."

"I will do as you advise, drink your brew and rest, but first I need to step outside for a few moments," he said, "and see to a pressing need."

Between the chamomile brew and the one to chase his fever, she expected he would have a pressing need when he woke. She went and retrieved his cloak from where she had placed it on a chest near the door.

"You need to be quick about it," she said and turned to see him throw the blanket off himself, sit up, and swing his legs off the bed far too fast. She hurried to him, seeing him about to topple to the side.

Shade sat beside him, her arm going around his back as she leaned into him so that her body supported him and stopped him from toppling over. "You are weak from the fever and moved much too fast," she said. "Sit still for a few moments and do not move fast when you stand." She dropped his cloak over his lap, covering his private parts to afford him some privacy and stemming her embarrassment over sitting beside a naked man who was not her husband. Something that was not at all proper for her to do.

He turned his head, their faces so close he could see the faint sprinkle of freckles that graced the bridge of her nose, the slight tint that highlighted her cheeks, and the moist plumpness of her lips that tempted like a juicy berry on the vine waiting to be plucked and tasted.

He had no time for such foolish thoughts and even less time to let a woman distract him. "There is no reason to cover me up. You have already seen all of me."

"That was out of necessity. It is no longer a necessity," she said and eased herself away from him to stand.

Quint paid heed to her advice and stood slowly, remaining standing for a bit before tossing his cloak around his shoulders. However, he didn't grip the cloak closed after it fell around him and for a good reason.

"Give me my sword," he ordered.

"You are not well enough to wield your sword," she said, though suspected that he would pay no heed to that particular advice.

"I am always strong enough to wield my sword. Now give it to me," he ordered with a strength that warned she better not deny him.

It took two hands for Shade to carry the sword to him, yet it was only one hand he needed to take it from her.

"As you advised, I will not be long," he said.

Before he could take a step toward the door, Shade said, "I am going with you, and you need your boots."

"Your assistance is not required in this particular task," he said with an amusing glint in his eyes. "And I don't need my boots."

Heat tinged her cheeks just enough to show embarrassment, but she ignored it. "You are far from healed. Still weak and feverish. I will not take a chance of you collapsing somewhere and me unable to get you safely into bed."

"You seem adamant about getting me into your bed."

"You belong there," she snapped and got annoyed with herself for hearing how it sounded. She quickly added, "Rest is needed for you to heal properly."

"Worry not, I will heal and see that you join me in bed to compensate you." He walked to the door and swung it open before Shade could retaliate.

He frustrated her beyond belief, and she could not wait until he took his leave. She grabbed her cloak and mumbled to herself as she hurried out after him.

She followed him into the woods, keeping a short distance between them and keeping her eyes on him. That his strides were strong boded well for him, but then he was a fit man and a determined one. A man who commanded rather than obeyed. She stopped a distance back when she saw that he stopped and stepped behind a tree that could not hide the width of his shoulders.

The ground was still wet from last night's rain and the dark clouds promised more rain, and soon.

"You need to hurry. Rain is not far off, and I don't want your wounds getting wet," she called out.

She had barely finished calling out to him when he was suddenly beside her, his hand gripping her arm, tighter than she expected since it was his injured arm. His injury had not weakened him as much as she thought, unless he was far stronger than she imagined.

"Get into the cottage now," he demanded as he kept his grip tight on her and propelled her forward.

"What's wrong?" she asked, his strides so powerful that she had to take two steps to his one.

"No time to explain. Do as I say," he ordered.

"Your wound?—"

"Now!" he snapped as they broke past the woods and into the clearing of her cottage.

The shout came, halting Quint's steps abruptly and forcing Shade to stop along with him.

"You killed my brother Rand."

Quint swung around, shoving Shade behind him. "He deserved to die."

"So do you," the man shouted.

Shade cast a glance past Quint to see a man not as tall as Quint but larger, thicker in size, and she feared that Quint was not strong enough to defend himself. His fever still lingered some and his wounds were still raw and no doubt painful.

"When I am done with you, I'm going to have some fun with the healer. But don't worry, there's no need for me to kill her. I will just enjoy myself with her for a while, then be on my way."

"That is not going to happen, I'm going to kill you," Quint said with such calm confidence that Shade actually believed him.

The man must have as well, since he took a step back, then as if regaining his courage burst out laughing. When his laughter subsided, he said, "You're wounded, have little strength, and you're wearing nothing but a cloak. It will not be me who dies today."

Quint ripped his cloak off and tossed it aside. "Now I am completely naked and vulnerable. Do you still think you can kill me?"

The man appeared hesitant, then smirked, giving a nod at his arm. "Your wounds bleed. You have little strength. The fight will be over fast."

"Aye, it will be," Quint said and let out a vicious roar as he charged at the man.

Shade stumbled back, her breath catching as she watched Quint race at a speed that she did not expect his weakened condition would allow, and yet it didn't stop him. He raised his sword with ease and delivered a blow to the man before he could raise his weapon that he already gripped in his hand, and it shocked and worried her. His healing would suffer for this.

A second strike of Quint's sword and the man was dead, and she hurried to him, spotting a slight tilt in his stance. She quickly slipped her shoulder beneath his arm to give him some support and she felt his weight bear down on her. He had exhausted himself and disturbed his wounds.

"I need to get his body into the woods," Quint said, "or it will attract animals."

"You need to get back in bed," she ordered.

"You and that bed, woman, will you never stop wanting to get me in it?"

"I want you in it so I can get you out of it," she snapped and felt a raindrop hit her. "Inside! Before it starts pouring."

"After I see to him," Quint said, regaining some strength thanks to her help. "Take my sword into the cottage while I get this done." He handed it to her.

She took it and let it fall to the ground. "You cannot do this alone." She leaned over and grabbed the dead man's arm.

"Be gone with you, woman. I can do this myself," Quint ordered.

Shade ignored him, grabbed the other arm, and started dragging the body herself.

Quint shook his head, shoved her hand off the man's arm and grabbed it. "You are a stubborn woman."

"No more stubborn than you are or as foolish as you to be out here naked in the rain when you are still feverish and using what strength you have left to do this when you should be reserving it to heal."

"I have confidence in my healer," Quint said, surprised at her strength, though it was probably that he was slower, the fight having definitely taken its toll on him.

"If that were true, then you would do as she tells you," Shade said, and saw that he had slowed down and appeared a bit pale. "This is far enough. The animals will drag him away."

That he didn't argue confirmed what Shade suspected. He had exhausted himself.

"Do not think I will lean on you on our way back," he warned when she stepped up beside him.

"You said you had confidence in me. We need to get you out of this rain as fast as possible. Please trust me on this," she said and didn't wait. She slipped her shoulder beneath his arm and her arm around his waist.

Quint slipped his arm around her waist, his own body betraying him and leaning on her for support as they walked to the cottage. "You do know if I collapse you will go down with me and you will not have the strength to drag me to the cottage."

"Aye, but I have the strength to roll you there. Now hurry your steps before I decide to do just that."