“Answer me!” Tavish demanded.
Elysia did not bother to turn around to see if it was Saber. She did not need to. His pleasant woodsy scent wrapped around her like a gentle hug. “He cannot answer you. He has suffered an injury to his throat and is here for healing.”
“I will remain while you tend him,” Tavish said.
To Elysia’s ears it was an order. “No. You will go and leave me to my work.”
Tavish looked ready to argue.
“Show me now that you are a man of your word, Tavish,” Elysia challenged.
Tavish kept his eyes on Saber as he asked, “You have tended him before?”
“I have and he has conducted himself more respectfully than most.” Elysia almost winced at her lie, though she had returned his kiss making her as responsible as he was for their unacceptable behavior yesterday. And she had to make certain it didn’t happen again.
“Then I trust your word and will leave you to our work with a reminder to give thought to my proposition,” Tavish said, and with a nod to Elysia he took his leave.
Elysia had planned to remain outside to administer the brew and syrup to Saber, but the sudden sprinkle of rain had her gathering her things and moving inside. The sudden thunder warned it was not a passing shower.
Saber took his seat at the table while Elysia brewed the concoction for his throat. He had debated with himself about coming here today and lost. It had been a foolish debate since he had every intention of coming here. The healing Elysia offered was helping his throat, but it was Elysia herself that brought him here and even more so since he had kissed her yesterday.
He had let hours pass after the kiss before he ate or drank anything. He did not want to lose the taste of her lips on his and how she eagerly responded to him. The kiss had branded itself not only on his lips but in his memory. He could not forget it, nor did he want to. He liked it lingering there where he could recall it and every time he did, it stirred a passion he had thought long dead.
That should have been warning enough for him not to return here and yet it had been the very reason he did return to her. He could not stay away. He did not want to stay away. And God help them both for the chance he was taking.
“I truly believe this healing schedule we have established will return your voice to you,” Elysia said. “Of course, it is thanks to my sister since it is her knowledge that heals you. I tell people my skill is stitching not healing but none will listen.”
Saber listened to her talk. He loved hearing her talk and it did not matter what she spoke about. Her voice was soft and unassuming like her nature. There were few, if any at all, women like her. She was kind and often too trusting, though he was surprised to hear her challenge the man she called Tavish and he wondered over it. He hoped she would tell him about their conversation. She had confided much in him and he liked that she did. He only wished he could do the same.
Elysia sat after handing him the brew. “Tavish, the man who questioned your presence here, is the last of the three men who have offered marriage. He bargained with me to choose him.”
Saber’s brow creased in question.
Elysia detailed the bargain Tavish had offered her, finishing with, “I should give it careful thought. After all, Bliss sacrificed to keep me and Annis safe. It is now my turn to sacrifice to keep Annis from a forced marriage.”
Saber shook his head, annoyance deepening the grooves in his scrunched brow.
“I should not consider it?” she asked, the sudden thought that he may have changed his mind about marrying her quickening her heartbeat.
The words rushed from his lips. “Do not trust.”
Elysia smiled that his words flowed easily, but her heart took a blow that he offered her no alternative. “Your voice heals well and you are right. I do not know if I can trust him. His offer is appealing, but whether he will keep his word is another thing.”
Saber agreed with a firm nod.
“I do not know what to do, Saber. I do not wish to wed any of the three men but what choice do I have? If I do not pick one, then one will be picked for me. But you did not come here to listen to my problems.”
“Friends listen,” he said with little struggle.
Elysia smiled again. “I am glad we are friends and I will always cherish our friendship.”
He nodded and patted his chest, letting her know he felt the same.
“The syrup, you can’t forget to take the syrup,” she said only this time she placed the crock of syrup and the spoon on the table in front of him. “Fill the spoon.”