Chemistry of Magic: Unexpected Magic Book Five (Unexpected Magic #5)(52)

Bridey raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips in thought. “Interesting question. Could her use of her healing power harm a child she carries?”

Instead of giving him an answer, she widened her eyes and looked into the distance as if she’d left her body. Dare could swear her eyes glowed. He feared he’d have to catch her before she fell. Pascoe would kill him of a certainty if his wife keeled over dead in his presence.

Just as he feared he’d have to make the effort, Bridey shook her head and returned to herself. “Her aura is quite healthy. She has an enormous potential for compassion which will get in the way of her scientific work, so we need to keep her out of the infirmary as much as possible. I cannot tell at this early a stage if she’s with child. A child needs a soul before it becomes visible, and since she’s not at Wystan with its plethora of spirits waiting for new life, that might take time. If you’re eager for an heir, though, you might want to take her to Wystan.”

He might as well be talking to a mad hatter. Dare stared at this intelligent woman with incredulity. “I do not understand a word you’ve said. Are you saying she’s well, just asleep?”

“As far as my abilities are able to ascertain, yes. Let her sleep through the night. If she is not better in the morning, then perhaps we need to visit Wystan. Ashford and his wife are there, but they shouldn’t mind the company. Wystan is healthier for Malcolm women who are carrying babes.”

With a plan he might follow, Dare allowed himself to relax a fraction. “I just let her sleep, nothing more? And if she’s not better, we go to Wystan on the morrow? And then she’ll be well?” Which made no sense, if he thought about it, but neither did bottles of medicine composed of arsenic. At least a change of location wasn’t poisonous.

“Life is full of uncertainties. We can never make promises, but yes, that nicely sums it up. I’ll go home, tell Pascoe we may have to leave for Wystan sooner than expected, and we’ll wait for word from you.” Bridey tilted her head and looked at him askance. “Your ambition endangers your well-being, as well as that of others around you. Your aura says you’re not a bad man, but you’re consumed with a lust to succeed. Life is about more than success.”

His aura. He would not ask what that meant. The lady let herself out, leaving Dare sitting beside his comatose bride and terrified out of his wits—provided he still had all his wits after that seriously strange conversation.





Chapter 16





Emilia woke slowly, trying to orient herself. She felt oddly empty. Her head rested on a muscled shoulder, so she knew she was with Dare. But she’d been angry with him. How had she ended up in bed? She couldn’t remember.

The air still held the stench of asafetida, and she recalled his coughing spell. But he seemed to be breathing normally now. She must be getting used to him—immunizing herself in some way. She didn’t notice his pain, although lust was always a factor. Curled up against his side, she brushed her fingers over his chest and tested his lungs.

Oh, yes, that’s what had happened. She’d used her healing touch too long. Again.

But she’d survived! She hadn’t died from her efforts. Had her bold insanity actually helped him?

With cautious eagerness, she confined herself to just testing to see if Dare’s lungs worked better. Running her fingers over his sculpted chest, she could tell the injury was still there. She hadn’t healed the damage. But he was breathing more as he ought, she realized with relief. Perhaps she’d stopped the pleurisy that had fevered him.

He had such a fascinatingly wide chest. . . She yanked her fingers back when he stirred.

Morning light was creeping across the bed. She’d slept all night? No wonder she was empty. She was hungry.

That Dare hadn’t fled at her fit deserved a kiss. She pressed one against his bare shoulder. He stirred more, drawing her closer. She snuggled into him. His intake of breath said he was awake.

“You’re alive?” he asked in a dubious whisper.

“Quite,” she assured him, waiting with a lump in her throat for his reaction. She’d never used her gift outside family before, and they were prone to hysterics when she collapsed. Dare. . . She couldn’t imagine what he’d thought. “I apologize if I worried you.”

He squeezed her tight, and she could feel his heart pump. “Worry is putting it very mildly,” he complained. “You scared the devil out of me. Don’t do that again, whatever it is you did. I’m not worth it.”

She didn’t know if she could make that promise. She was proud that she had overcome her fear of pain and death. She was even more gratified that her gift had helped.

Relieved that he didn’t call her witch and shove her away in disgust, she kissed his handsome chest. “I truly try not to use my gift, but I don’t seem able to resist when it comes to you. I’ve not been able to touch anyone else as I do you. With others, it’s painful, so I just gave up trying. But even though I can feel your discomfort, you do not drown me in it. It’s not refreshing, precisely, but I like touching you too much to stop.”

“I’m afraid I’m losing my mind,” he admitted. “I cannot understand half of what you and Bridey are trying to tell me. I used to have an exceptionally fine mind,” he said in regret. “I hate thinking you’ll be left taking care of a drooling imbecile.”