Page 78 of Pippa of Lauramore
I’m glad they did.
“We need to get you to the physician.” Sir Kimblelooks at my shoulder. He rummages through his pack and pulls out a bandage. “This should stop the bleeding for now.”
I grit my teeth as he wraps it, wanting to cry out from the pain. Somehow, I manage to stay silent. I ride behind Sir Kimble. My eyes get heavy, and I feel myself drift off long before we reach the palace.
My eyes fly open,and I hiss in pain.
Yuven tuts a few times and then continues his work.
“Stop!” I gasp.
Yuven’s hand stills, and he looks up from my shoulder wound to meet my eyes.
“Since when does an herbalist stitch someone up?” I exclaim.
The light catches the needle, and I think I might be sick.
“Since the physician is busy.” His brown eyes are sleepy, and though he’s not much older than Archer, in the middle of the night, he looks ancient. His black hair is unrulier than it usually is, and he looks as grumpy as I’ve ever seen him.
“Why?” I ask, trying to sit up.
He holds me still. “One of the princes returned yesterday. He’s not doing well.”
“Who?” I demand. “What happened?”
“What do you think happened?” Yuven asks. “He found a dragon.”
A chair creaks in the corner, alerting me to someone else’s presence. I look over and see my mother. She looks pale. “How are you feeling, darling?”
I can’t speak now that Yuven has continued with the stitches. I grit my teeth and try very hard not to pass out. After several minutes, he knots the catgut and shakes his head. “It will likely scar.”
“Who came back yesterday?” I ask once I finally find my voice.
“Prince Espin,” Mother answers.
I sigh, relieved, and then I feel guilty. “Will he be all right?”
Now that Yuven’s finished, she comes to my side. She’s careful not to look at the wound as she brushes my hair from my forehead. “Yes, we believe so.”
I accept the tea Yuven hands me and try it. It has a bitter, herbal taste that isn’t pleasant. I take another sip. He did, at least, add honey, so I will be able to choke it down.
“They found the bandits,” Mother says, her voice quiet. “Lord Rigel has confirmed they are indeed Errintonian.”
I nod, trusting Father to take care of it.
“Are you finished?” Mother asks Yuven.
He nods and gathers his supplies.
“You need rest,” she says to me. “Let’s get you to bed.”
There’ssun streaming through the balcony. I groan and roll over, wishing it wasn’t morning. Unfortunately, I roll to the wrong side. Searing pain pulses from my shoulder.
I sit up, knowing I won’t be able to go back to sleep now. I squint at the sunlight. It looks wrong for some reason.
My dressing gown is hanging at the head of my bed canopy, and I pull it on and step out the balcony doors. It only takes a moment to realize what the problem is. It’s not morning at all. It’s early evening.
Apparently, I’ve slept all day.
