The Marriage Spell Read Online Free PDF Page A

feel a slight strengthening of the nerves. How to get him breathing on his own?
    She must prime the pump. After inhaling deeply, she bent over and covered his mouth with hers, blowing air into the injured man’s lungs. His lips were cool and firm, but more like a wax dummy than a living man. She inhaled again, then bent once more to share her breath. After half a dozen times, he inhaled raggedly on his own, then fell into a labored but regular breathing pattern. She had bought a little more time, she thought dizzily as she straightened.
    The two men were regarding here with fascination. “Are all wizard healers like you?” Ransom asked.
    â€œThe good ones are.” She brushed at her hair, which had fallen over her face, remembering too late that she was streaking blood across herself.
    â€œIs there any kind of treatment?” Ashby asked. “Cost is not an issue.”
    She beckoned the men away from Frayne so she could talk to them privately. She had long suspected that injured people could hear things even when they seemed unconscious, and bad news could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Keeping her voice low, she said, “I’ve never heard of a healer saving someone so badly injured. You saw that it took most of my power just to stabilize him temporarily, and that had no effect on the underlying injuries.”
    â€œWhat about a healing circle?” Ashby asked. “I’ve heard that such a circle can sometimes produce extraordinary results.”
    â€œYou’re familiar with healing circles?” she said with surprise.
    â€œAs I understand it, a number of people with magical power come together and channel their energy through a trained healer. Often their combined power can cure far worse illnesses than any one healer can manage, no matter how talented.”
    For an aristocrat, he was surprisingly well informed. “Have you also heard that healing circles are very dangerous for the wizard who is the focal point? People have died when the power became greater than they could control.” And yet such circles could indeed perform miracles—sometimes. She frowned. “I wish my father was here.”
    â€œHe’s a more powerful healer than you?” Ransom asked.
    â€œNot more powerful, but more experienced. But it would take days to reach him in London and bring him home again.” She nodded toward Lord Frayne’s motionless body. “He doesn’t have days.”
    â€œYou were able to start Jack breathing again,” Ransom said. “Could you keep him stable until your father can return?”
    â€œIt was a temporary measure only, and I had to use full power even for that,” she said bluntly. “His condition will steadily deteriorate. If he doesn’t drown in his own lungs, he will waste away from an inability to eat and drink. Probably he would die of thirst if he doesn’t suffocate first.”
    Ransom’s face tightened. After a long silence, Ashby said, “I would be willing to be the focal point of the healing circle.”
    Her brows arched. “That’s a brave and generous offer, but unless you’re a trained healer, it would be suicidal.”
    His gaze was level. “I am willing to take the risk.”
    â€œNo!” Ransom said with barely repressed violence. “Bad enough if we lose Jack. Being a duke doesn’t make you immortal, Ash.”
    â€œPerhaps someday I will find out what being a duke is good for,” Ashby murmured. “Miss Barton, are there enough people with power in the area to attempt a circle? And if so, what would you charge for performing one?”
    â€œCost is not the issue, but feasibility. As for people with power…” She made a swift mental inventory of all the wizards within a few hours’ ride. “There aren’t enough wizards nearby to create a circle that has a chance of working. If my father was here, there would be enough power