Page 63 of Frost Bound

Dahlia moaned and shivered harder, but her eyes stayed closed.Nonnaebent over thevallesand placed the metal cylinder just above each breast.

“Now her back.”

Neve rotated the human carefully onto her belly so the healer could listen there. He scowled at all the bruising and scratches along her fair skin. When had those happened? He arranged Dahlia back into his arms as the old woman leaned back, scowling.

“She’s sick.” It was said like an accusation.

“From the water?”

“No, there was already liquid in her lungs,lae reillov.” Her eyes narrowed on Neve. “Did she show any indication of sickness on your journey?”

“She grew paler the longer we traveled, and she had dark smudges beneath her eyes.”

“The princess has been coughing,” Flyka added. “And she was cold all the time.”

Neve nodded. “Her nose was red. Does that mean anything?”

Nonnaepursed her lips, and placed her hand over thevalles’ forehead. “They are not as physically strong as we are, but I believe humans don’t tolerate the weather like we do either. What were the traveling conditions like?”

“Rain, sleet, snow.”The usual.

She winced. “I think extended exposure to such weather can kill asaloes.”

He blinked slowly atNonnae. “The cold willkillmyloviaye?”

“Extendedexposure.” She pushed back from her knees and onto her feet, gesturing to thenonnaette. “My apprentices will clean her thighs and dress the wounds. I know avalloswho had a human wife before she died. I’ll send for him.”

“How did she die?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Birth.”

“I’ll do it,” Flyka piped in, taking a step toward the door.

Nonnaepointed a knobby finger at Flyka. “Don’t think I can’t see you limping either. Send my grandson for him. He’ll know thevallos. Then sit down until one of us can look at that leg.”

Flyka nodded once before disappearing from Neve’s view. He grimaced as Dahlia continued to shake. “What do I do?” he asked, helplessness crashing over him.

“Keep her warm and pray that she survives until I can get some answers.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Neve

The shivering eventually stopped.

And the fevers raged.

Then came the hallucinations.

Neve sat on a low stool near the fire, his hands clasped between his legs, elbows on thighs. It was well into the night, and yet he couldn’t sleep.

It had been four days since their wedding. Four days since any clarity had entered thevalles’ gaze. Four days since she’d glared at him.

Sweat dripped down his back and he reached back and pulled his black linen shirt off, laying it over his left knee.Nonnaekept the room sweltering. She said the human needed it. It would help break the fever. She needed to sweat out the sickness.

The princess thrashed, tossing her blankets off, legs splayed awkwardly. Neve grunted as he stood from the stool and edged around the mattress on the floor.

His gaze paused on her wrapped thighs, smelling strongly of herbs and honey. He closed his eyes in shame. He’d never forgetthe sight of her thighs. Neve couldn’t imagine the pain she’d been in. When had it started? Their very first night in the rain?

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