He pulled back just enough to search her face, his thumb brushing against her damp cheek.
"When did you start doing this?"
His voice was low. Rough. A storm trying to contain itself.
Salviana hesitated, heart thudding. How much should I say? How long had she known?
She drew a breath. "You hadn't fed in days. You said you were fine." Her eyes met his, unwavering. "But I knew you weren't. You were shaking in your sleep."
Alaric closed his eyes, jaw clenching.
"I mixed a little into foods you eat and," she went on. "You slept better that night. After that… you could taste food, you became better."
"That was the reason? The reason I could taste food?"
"Yes," Salviana said not at all shamefully.
"Gods." He turned from her, hands on his hips, pacing the edge of the room like a man unhinged.
"Alaric—"
