Kai gripped the cot's edge, teeth clenched as Vienna poured the burning liquor over the gash in his stomach.
The pain hit like a slap from an angry lover, but oddly clarifying.
He bit back a curse, his vision swimming for a second before steadying.
"There," Vienna said, wiping her hands on her apron.
"That's cleaned. Now for the poultice."
She smeared a herbal paste over the wound, her touch firm but gentle, like she'd done this a hundred times.
"Hold still. It'll sting less if you don't squirm."
Kai nodded weakly, sweat beading on his forehead.
The fever clawed at him, sapping his strength, but her presence grounded him.
She was all practical curves and no-nonsense blonde hair tied back in a loose knot, her apron straining slightly over a chest that had clearly weathered a few life storms and won.
Milf energy.
Strong.
The kind that runs a tavern and patches up idiots like me without batting an eye.
