“It’s difficult with these.” He glanced at his shackles.
I had offered to feed him, but his pride hadn’t allowed it. Instead, he opted for taking bites from a bread roll, shakily lifting it to his mouth and biting big chunks to make the most of each movement.
“You’re just one of those stubborn patients,” I said, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
“Am I?”
“Yes, next thing you’ll throw a tantrum and say you need a TV in your room.”
He chuckled. “You’re not used to dealing with old curmudgeons like me, are you?”
“Curmudgeons,” I repeated, laughing at the word.
He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it again, his teeth clicking together, his body tensing all over. His eyes flicked toward the table where the elixir sat, his silent way of telling me he needed it. Now!
I jumped to my feet, retrieved the flask, and ran back. Without ceremony, I placed a hand behind his head, pulled his hair to tip his chin back, and fed him the elixir. I sighed with relief when he didn’t fight me and swallowed every last drop.
Setting the flask on the floor, I took his pulse. It was elevated again, even faster than it had been after the first dose. Jeondar, Kryn, and Arabis stood nearby, ready to intervene if necessary, but Kalyll remained in place, even if his fists were trembling with white-knuckled strength and his teeth were grinding audibly.
One of his hands flew open and snatched my wrist. He pulled me toward him until my nose was inches from his, and his dark eyes were staring right into mine.
“Let her go,” Arabis ordered, her voice feeling like something tangible, like a brush over my skin.
Kalyll squeezed me harder until I gasped in pain.
“Please, Kalyll, let go. You’re hurting her.” Arabis again, though this time her skill was laced with something much different. Instead of authoritarian, she sounded pleading.
The prince still ignored her.
“You are a clever witch,” Kalyll rumbled in that deep voice that seemed to come from the heart of a mountain. “A pretty one, too.” He licked his lips.
“What the hell?” Kryn said behind me.
Kalyll reached behind me and untied the leather strip he’d used to bind my hair.
“Ah, much better this way.” He leaned closer, his mouth mere inches from mine, his breath smelling of marsh flowers rather than wine this time.
I breathed rapidly as my heart pounded, sending bursts of adrenaline through my veins. He could kill me, snap my neck in an instant, but it wasn’t the fear of death that sent heat coursing through my body.
He inhaled sharply, taking in my scent, then sighed as if it pleased him.
“Let me go,” I managed in a weak whisper.
“No,” he said, savoring the word and whispering it against my ear.
“My wrist hurts. You’ll break it. Please, Kalyll.”
As I said his name, he threw his head back and growled, the column of his neck working up and down. His arm trembled as he slowly released his grip, one finger at a time, and finally let me go.
I scooted back out of reach, cradling my wrist and wincing at the pain. I immediately allowed healing magic to flow into me, and the ache ebbed until it was completely gone.
When Kalyll opened his eyes, he was in control again. Embarrassment colored his cheeks when he looked at me.
“Are you all right? Please tell me you’re all right.”
“I’m fine. See?” I lifted my wrist and showed him. “I healed it right away.”
“Stay away from me. Don’t come near.”