Highland Resurrection (Blades of Honor Book 2) by B.J. Scott Read Free Book Online

if you count the day you were assaulted,” Lazarus replied.
    She took in a gulp of air, but quickly closed her eyes and gritted her teeth against the excruciating pain crushing her chest. She coughed, and that made the agony worse.
    “Try not to inhale so deeply,” he cautioned. “I suspect you have a few bruised ribs as a result of the beating you took from your assailants, along with some other injuries that might not be visible. It will take some time for them to heal, but only if you rest.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Try to lay still and I’ll fetch you whatever you need.”
    “I’m fine and I dinna want your help.” She brushed his hand away. “Quinn and I manage quite well on our own. I thank you for your concern, but would like you to leave.”
    Lazarus frowned. “We have already been through this. I plan to stay for as long as you need assistance.”
    “Brother Lazarus has been taking care of you,” Quinn said as he returned with a cup of water. “He made a potion to help get rid of your fever and a poultice for your arm. You were very sick, but he healed you.”
    The memories of the attack and Lazarus’s part in her rescue slowly returned, but she didn’t trust him, any more than she believed a man would do something for a woman without selfish motives. They all had but one thing on their mind. Sating their needs regardless of who was hurt in the process.
    She refrained from looking him in the eye and instead spoke to Quinn. “I appreciate what he has done for me, but I’m much better and it is time for him to go. Now .” She pointed at the door and tried to sit up, but her head began to pound and spin, so she lay back down. She glanced at Lazarus then focused on her brother again. “Besides, what have I told you about the dangers of speaking to strangers?”
    “But he isna a stranger anymore,” Quinn replied. “When he first arrived, I told him to go away, but you were so sick and—”
    Sheena patted her brother’s hand. She’d have likely done the same thing if she was in his position. “I understand. But the time has come for him to leave.”
    “You’re not well enough to care for yourself or the lad.” Lazarus took the cup from Quinn, then tipped it to her lips. “Take a sip to quench your thirst. I have a brew simmering over the fire that will ease your discomfort and help you to sleep.”
    Sheena grasped the mug with both hands and drank greedily. Once she’d had her fill, she peered over the rim of the vessel at Lazarus. “I dinna wish to sleep. I’ve laid abed long enough, and must get up and see to the croft and Quinn’s needs.”
    Lazarus chuckled. “I’m afraid you willna be rising any time soon. You had a high fever as the result of a festering knife wound on your arm, and your body is drained of its strength from that alone. Add the other injuries you’ve sustained and you’d not make it from here to the door without collapsing.”
    “I dinna find any humor in my predicament,” Sheena said. “And I will be the judge of when I’m fit to rise, not you.”
    “If I hadna arrived when I did, you might have died. And if na, there is a good chance you would have lost the limb.” He pointed to her injured arm. “This arrangement might not be to your liking, but you took a nasty beating, and must rest until you heal. If you try to get up too soon, you’ll only make things worse.”
    “What do you know of such thing?” Sheena inquired.
    “I’ve spent many years with the monks at Ayton Abbey,” Lazarus said. “Brother Simon taught me all he knew about healing.”
    “You may dress like a cleric, but you dinna look or act like any monk I have ever known.”
    “Should I be flattered or offended?” Lazarus grinned.
    “Neither. I have also never seen a monk fight off attackers with the skill of a trained warrior the way you did.” She tried not to make eye contact with him, but it was not easy. It was even harder not to stare at his handsome face,