Chemistry of Magic: Unexpected Magic Book Five (Unexpected Magic #5)(72)
“The artery is severed. You should have bled to death almost instantly. I don’t know how you’re alive,” Bridey said in what sounded like awe.
Groggy and in excruciating pain, Dare heard her from a distance. Ascertaining from his crude surroundings that he was in the abbey’s infirmary, he struggled against his weakness but couldn’t lift his head. “Emilia?”
“Lying down. I had Tess feed her beef broth and bread, but she really needed to sleep. You must be made of super-flesh to survive this wound, even with Emilia’s gift.”
He could feel her needle stick into him, but he was too far gone to care about pain. “Will Wystan be a safer place for her?”
The needle stopped piercing him for a moment. “That’s a good thought. It’s a day’s hard drive, though. I’m not sure you’ll be better for the journey.”
“She shouldn’t be alone,” he insisted as much as he was able through the haze. “She’s special.”
“I’m glad you finally realize that.” The needle returned to jabbing him.
When he died, he wanted Emilia safe with family, not a target for vengeance. Not all men were good losers.
“I’ll make him live,” Emilia said fiercely, brushing Dare’s over-long golden hair back from his forehead as the berlin drove the final stretch of the journey to Wystan in the dark. Lantern lights bobbed like fireflies in the gloom, barely lighting the road.
“He’s dying,” Bridey warned her. “His lungs are weak, and he’s lost too much blood. His heart doesn’t have the strength to work much longer.”
They’d employed the makeshift mattress-bed to carry him again, with Emilia sitting at Dare’s head and Bridey in the small space at his feet. Pascoe had remained behind with Lord Erran to handle the railroad business, but Mr. Madden rode along side of the carriage with his dogs. Emilia didn’t fear the travel. She feared losing her husband.
“He should have years more to live,” Emilia said in determination. “I will do everything in my power to see he gets them.”
“You will kill yourself in the process,” Bridey warned. “A body cannot expend that much energy and not weaken. You will do to yourself what disease and injury is doing to him. And if you should be with child. . . We have no notion what damage you can be causing a fetus.”
“I’m not dead yet,” Dare muttered, showing signs of consciousness for the first time in hours. “I’m about to starve though.”
Emilia grasped at this straw of hope, wanting to believe he was stronger. She rummaged in her basket and produced the meat and cheese Bridey had recommended if he was able to chew. She wrapped them in a thin slice of bread and held it so he could nibble without moving.
Looking determined, Dare grabbed it from her hand and tore into it. She didn’t know if it was possible for a man his size to look weak, but he was decidedly pale and unshaven. The ache around her heart deepened.
She wanted to have faith in her abilities, but she didn’t, because she knew Bridey was right. He was weak, and this insane journey wasn’t helping.
He wouldn’t let her take the half-sandwich away after he finished chewing. “If eating will make me well, I will eat. I have unfinished business to take care of.”
Emilia wanted to smack him and cry at the same time. She wasn’t normally so irrational, but he drove her to madness. “Hire a man of business,” she said callously.
“I will, for that sort of business.” He lifted the sandwich and tore off another bite.
Her cheeks heated as she worked her way around that and realized what other sort of business he meant. Bridey chuckled, so she’d understood too.
“You need blood in your body for that sort of business,” Bridey informed him. “You’d better hope Emilia already carries your heir.”
He transferred his sandwich to his other hand and clasped Emilia’s gloved one, lifting it to his mouth to kiss it. “I need to show you. . .” He hesitated, apparently searching for words. “I can change. I did not understand how special you are before. I do now. I only wish I could kiss you to prove it.”
Emilia’s heart ripped in two and tears slid down her cheeks as Dare closed his eyes and passed out again.
They arrived at Wystan Castle near midnight, but servants had the door open and lights lit before the carriage halted. Mr. Madden and a footman carried Dare on his makeshift bed into the towering hall and up the stairs. Emilia tried to absorb some of her surroundings so she at least knew where to go in the morning, but stone and tapestry all blended together in lamplight, especially when she couldn’t tear her gaze from Dare.
He was weaker. He was barely breathing.
A footman helped strip Dare’s big body down to his shirt. Bridey cleansed and wrapped his wound again once he was settled. “I don’t see any sign of infection, but he’s warm. Call me if he worsens.”
Unused to hugging, Emilia awkwardly wrapped her arms around her friend. Bridey actually felt good, as if sending her healing vibrations. She had so much to learn—and Dare was the one who had taught her to reach beyond her fear. “Thank you a thousand times. Go rest and take care of that babe. There’s nothing else you can do.”
“I’m sorry.” Bridey touched her cheek, then followed a servant into the corridor, leaving Emilia alone with her fears.