Toil and Trouble by H.P. Mallory Read Free Book Online Page A

my arms and legs but still can’t walk.”
    Sinjin was about to comment when Rand’s highly perturbed appearance interrupted him. “This is not social hour,” he said, his eyes narrowing on Sinjin. “In case you haven’t noticed, your men are still in battle. Shouldn’t you play the part of leader and join them?”
    Sinjin never appeared to be anything other than amused when it came to Rand. I had to give him props for that.
    “I believe your recruits are in need of a reprieve,” Sinjin said and exhaled as he leaned into the swing, throwing his arm around me. “And your ward is in need of company.”
    “Jolie doesn’t need nor want your company,” Rand spat back and leaned down, scooping his arms underneath me as he hoisted me up. “She needs sleep.”
    I yawned at the mention of sleep, realizing just how exhausted I was. Sinjin stood up instantly and wrapped his cold fingers around my arm.
    “I do hope you sleep well, Love.”
    I smiled and allowed Rand to carry me back into the house. It had to be late, so bedtime brooked no argument with me. Once in my room, Rand turned on my bedside table lamp and laid me down, reaching for the horrible fairy remedy sitting in the tankard on the table. The stuff could be compared to turpentine—having an endless shelf life, no need for refrigeration and probably tasted just as bad.
    “Are you tired?” Rand asked with a small smile, the warm yellow of the lamplight illuminating his dimples until he looked like every woman’s dream come to life.
    “Exhausted.”
    He handed me the tankard and I grasped it with both hands, finding infinite enjoyment in the fact that I was now strong enough to hold it myself. I counted silently to five, closed my eyes and opened my mouth as I chugged the hideous stuff. My gag reflex kicked into gear and I had to keep my head back, lest any of it come back up.
    Once I was in the clear, I handed the tankard back to Rand who placed it on the table and we both watched it refill itself with my next dose—something I wouldn’t have to take until the morning, thank God.
    Rand glanced at me and with a quick nod, the blanket fell off my shoulders, landing in a puddle of fabric around my feet. My jeans and sweatshirt dissolved and in their place, my brown and pink striped pjs appeared. I couldn’t hide the sense of disappointment that coursed through me as I remembered what had transpired the last time I’d needed help getting undressed. But, Rand was extraordinarily busy and I needed my healing sleep, so…
    “Are you comfortable?” Rand asked and I could tell his mind was on other things besides me, the war for example.
    I nodded and pushed myself down into my pillows. “Rand, how much longer until I can start sparring with everyone else?” I asked and picked at a loose thread in the coverlet. “I’m feeling stronger everyday so hopefully it won’t be much longer?”
    Rand’s brows furrowed. “I imagined this would come up.”
    I frowned but didn’t say anything, just watched Rand go to my bedroom window, no doubt playing the role of sentry keeping track of his legion. The moonlight heightened the hard planes of his face and the cleft in his chin. It highlighted the breadth of his shoulders and how they narrowed into an athletic waist and narrow hips. He appeared so strong, so confident and capable.
    “I don’t want you to fight in the war, Jolie.”
    “What?” I asked and tried to sit up which aggravated me when I failed. He faced me and I could see his jaw stuck in that stubborn clench that usually meant he wasn’t going to bend.
    “It’s too dangerous.”
    I gulped down my anger. “I’m a good witch, Rand, I can help you.”
    “I know you’re a good witch but your power isn’t completely mature yet. You are young.”
    I was getting pissed off which meant my tendency to stutter was about to set in. It was bad enough I couldn’t move but no one was going to tell me what I could and couldn’t do. “Last time I checked,