"Like bellica, like lieutenant..." she said lightly, and Jules nearly spat out his drink. With effort he swallowed, but immediately started choking as the wine went down roughly. He coughed, trying to get air back into his body, and felt a pounding on his back.
"Thanks," he rasped when he could breathe again.
Ghia looked at him with concern that didn't properly cover her mirth. "Your face is purple."
"Maybe you could give me mouth-to-mouth," he leered at her.
She laughed and gave him a swat on the arm. "Lech."
He smiled to hide his disappointment, and signalled to a nearby servant to fill his goblet again. As the red liquid spilled from the pitcher into his cup, something occurred to him. Once the servant had walked away again he voiced his concern.
"Ghia, if you were in the hospital
