Perhaps he could heal her from all the iron’s damage. Sickness was more complex to treat than an injury. Although, maybe the metal was technically a poison to her, rather than a disease. He’d never healed someone from poisoning. It wouldn’t be easy, and it would take a great deal of energy from both of them, but it could be worth a try.

If they escaped on Billy’s ship.

Theorising about healing iron-sickness for a fae-blooded fugitive was a task for another day.

He took a long breath, loosening the tightness of his throat. “I fear the pain isn’t done for tonight.” His gaze flicked to the angry red burn above her temple.

“Let’s get it over and done with.”

By the time he’d healed that burn, Vee could barely keep her eyes open and lay against the pillows. He managed to encourage her to eat a little more to help replace the energy spent before she burrowed down in the blankets, back to him.

Still sitting up in the bed, he craned over to peer at her face, check she didn’t look in pain. Eyes closed, expression soft like this, it was a wonder he’d ever believed she could be a villain. He shook his head and sighed, snuffing out the candle on the bedside table, leaving just the light from the fireplace and a lamp on the mantlepiece.

He checked his pocket watch—three o’clock in the morning. They had maybe five hours before they’d set sail. The bed creaked as he sat up and swung his legs over the side. He should keep watch out the window, then he’d spot if—

“Knigh?”

It was so soft, he wasn’t sure he’d heard it. He held his breath.

“Don’t leave me, will you? To—tonight, I mean.” Her shoulders heaved with a heavy breath, and she rolled over, one hand landing in the empty spot where he’d been sitting. She opened her eyes, and for a while, just looked at him.

He couldn’t move. He couldn’t go to the window, but he also couldn’t slide back in place next to her. He wanted to pull her into his lap, keep her warm and close, and just let her sleep in his protection. But what damn protection was he to her when she had an entire country’s Navy after her? When he’d been the one to hand her to them?

“I always said you were warm”—she scoffed—“and right now I need that warmth.”

His heart twisted. He’d promised himself he’d give her whatever she needed tonight. If she needed this, then so be it.

Nodding, he returned to his spot.

She pursed her lips and tugged at his arm. “No. Here.”