Queen of Lost Stars (Dragonblade Series/House of St. Hever) by Kathryn Le Veque Page B

for the rest of my life.” Kaspian blinked up at the physic. “But if I hear you speak to Madelayne like that again, the only person thrashed around here will be you. Is that clear?”
    The old man merely grunted. “If you can get up and catch me, you are welcome to try. But I’d advise against if for now, so I suppose I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
    Kaspian didn’t say anything as Dolwyd checked his wound again and tightened the bandages. “Well? Are my innards still intact?” he finally asked.
    “Enough so,” the old man replied. “I do not think you did any real damage, but you tore some of my stitches.”
    “Then I’ll recover?”
    “More than likely. But you cannot take any more strain, Kaspian. You need to stay in bed and rest and eat. Only then will you fully recover.”
    Kaspian’s eyes moved to Madelayne, her angelic face looming above him. “Do you hear that? No more running off with you. I’m too old and weak to be chasing around after you.”
    She smiled at him, vastly relieved he was conscious and speaking. “Old? You cannot possibly be that old.”
    Kaspian sighed faintly, closing his eyes. “Old enough,” he muttered. “Christ, I probably look every year of my thirty-seven years and then some.”
    “Damn old for a fighting man,” Dolwyd concurred. “You should have retired years ago.”
    Kaspian grunted. “I choose to ignore you. Be gone with you now. I feel as if I could sleep for a hundred years.”
    Dolwyd lifted an eyelid, studying the eyeball, before standing back. “Aside from the fatigue, nothing is paining you?”
    Kaspian inhaled deeply, feeling for any aches or pains he might have. “Not too terribly.”
    “You are damn fortunate, Kaspian. Need I say more?”
    “You do not. Get out of here.”
    The old man grinned, heading for the door. Madelayne began untying her bodice. “You must be famished,” she said softly. “Here, take some sustenance before you sleep. I’ve been full to bursting for two days and it has been most painful. You would be doing me a favor, really.”
    Kaspian put his hand up to stop her; the contrast in size of his hand against hers was striking. He looked at her a moment, studying her fine features. “In truth, I only wish to sleep. But I thank you for your concern.”
    Madelayne gazed at his hand over her own, fighting off a tide of warm, giddy feelings. Two days of fighting off those same torn feelings had seen her leaning more and more towards Kaspian and the excitement of his touch. The truth was that Cairn had been more like a brother to her, a protector and provider, and she had been fond of him. Aye, she’d done some soul searching in the past two days since her return to Lavister and she knew, in her heart, that she had never loved Cairn. That was well known.
    But what she hadn’t expected was her response to St. Hèver, the thrill of his touch and her lust for the man. She felt guilty for allowing her sense of excitement for him to overwhelm her mourning for Cairn. Was it wicked? Perhaps. But all she knew was what she felt every time Kaspian touched her. She couldn’t ignore it. For her own sake, she simply couldn’t.
    “Then I shall leave you to your sleep,” she finally said, retying the bodice. “I… I am glad you will recover. I shan’t be far should you require me.”
    Kaspian’s fingers curled around her hand, preventing her from leaving. “I would ask you to stay,” his voice was soft. “To call out to you would require too much effort. If you simply stay here, I won’t need to exert myself.”
    She eyed him, feeling the warmth of his tone, reluctant to admit that she very much wanted to stay. Slowly, she captured the stool Dolwyd had been sitting upon. An awkward silence prevailed until she pierced it.
    “I am sorry,” she said softly. “For leaving, for causing your strain… I am truly sorry.”
    He stared at her for a moment. “’Tis I who should apologize, madam.” His voice was husky from fatigue and disuse.