“Get whatever you have and bring it here.” Reid removed Dexter’s shirt, then helped him lie back, propping his head on a pillow.

The woman began to rummage around the kitchen area.

“Get charcoal,” Dexter ordered the man. “Now.”

He dashed over to a basket in the corner, pulling out a handful of black rocks. “What do you want me to do with them?”

Dexter clutched Reid’s hand. “I need to ingest some, and I need you to put some on my wound. Leave it on for an hour, then remove it. Once the wound is clean, apply the stuff the woman has, then stitch me up.”

Reid nodded, acknowledging the directions he gave in case he passed out or was too weak to talk. Her stomach twisted at the thought.

“Look at me,” Dexter commanded.

She gazed into his eyes.

“You’re pale.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Can I trust you to do this?”

“I can do it.” She turned to address the man. “Grind the charcoal up. I want two batches. One in water so the prince can drink it, and the other in a bowl so I can put it on his arm.”

The man got to work.

“What are your names?” Reid asked.

“I’m Rick, and that’s Ava.”

“Thank you for helping us.”

“We’d do anything to aid our prince,” Rick said.

Reid removed the fabric tied around Dexter’s arm. When Rick handed her a bowl with tiny pieces of charcoal in it, she sprinkled some onto Dexter’s open wound. He pursed his lips, but he didn’t make a sound. Then Rick handed Reid a cup of water mixed with finely ground charcoal.

She carefully placed the cup on Dexter’s lips, slowly pouring it into his mouth. After he swallowed a few gulps, she withdrew the cup, hoping it was enough.

“Ava,” Dexter called out. “I need a favor.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” She curtsied.

“Check my fiancée’s back.”

“I’m fine,” Reid assured him. Her voice came out weaker than she’d intended, shocked by Dexter’s use of the word fiancée. He probably only said it so these people would know she wasn’t a soldier.

“She was also struck by an arrow,” Dexter explained. “However, she was fortunate enough to have armor on. I want to be sure the poisoned tip didn’t penetrate the armor and scratch her back.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’ll leave so you can have some privacy,” Rick said, exiting the house.

“Lady Reid.” Ava gestured toward the corner of the room.

Seeing no way around this embarrassment, Reid went over and removed her tunic. After untying the vest, she took it off, carefully setting it on the table. Withdrawing both daggers, she set them beside her armor. Facing the corner again, she pulled her shirt over her head, exposing her bare back to Ava.

“Is there a puncture wound?” Dexter asked.