“How? What do you want me to do?” Silvanus asked her quietly. “Aren’t you afraid you might get hurt again—or that your head will start aching?” he added, his voice carrying a trace of concern.

Aeliana shook her head firmly.

“You told the doctor who examined me the day I woke up in the hospital that you were willing to pay any amount of money just to make me better. You wouldn’t let me get hurt, would you?”

Silvanus nodded, his hands resting inside his pockets. “So what is ...