Page 13 of Love Me Forever

He took her in his arms, held her close, and soothed her with gentle kisses to her face. She settled as she always did, and together they slept, both healing in their own way.

CHAPTER5

It was time to find out about this stranger, especially since she had been sleeping beside him these last five days. That he was a man of his word was true. He meant her no harm. His intentions were to help her gain back her health and strength. That he was accustomed to having his way was also true. He would not allow her to do anything for herself. He fed her, moved her, and did much too much for her.

She felt she could keep no secrets from this man, and yet she had many secrets. They talked, but of common things and she slept much. She needed the rest so that she could heal properly; her body demanded it. He was always nearby when she woke, and she was always grateful to see him.

His scars were healing as slowly as her bruises. She wished she were well enough to move about on her own, for she recalled the pouches of dried herbs in her satchel. If she combined certain herbs to make a poultice and applied it to his scars, they would heal more rapidly and leave less scarring. She vowed that when she grew strong enough to, she would do just that.

Now, however, she must be wise and allow herself time to heal. It would do no good to impede her healing by being stubborn. Besides, with the substantial snowfall, no one would be coming to her rescue anytime soon.

Actually, if Royce had not found her, in all probability she would have died. The elements, wild animals, or thieves would have seen to her demise. She was in no condition to defend or help herself. How ironic that would have been—to have gained her freedom only to have perished without having lived at all?

She did worry over her brother. He was probably upset and at this moment raving at the weather... or was he?

He would not know that she did not reach her destination. He would only know her missing when she did not return at her designated time, and that would be a week or more.

The thought concerned her, for it meant she would spend more time with this stranger than she had anticipated. That was all the more reason she attempted to learn more about him.

Who really was he?

A warrior? A man running from his pain? A man hiding from someone? He was a mystery that needed solving.

She looked to the hearth where he knelt, feeding the fire more logs. The dancing flames cast a reflection on his face, giving his wounds a ghastly glow. Not many would be able to look upon him without disgust. The swelling around his eye and lip was just barely beginning to subside.

She could detect the difference since her glance had settled on him often these last few days. The blows he suffered must have been fierce, and she wondered how he had survived the ordeal. He was a man of considerable size, strength, and determination, which told her he was a force to be taken seriously and at times feared, but at all times respected.

She noticed he had turned around and stared at her with as much interest as she at him. They both had questions, but who first would have the answers?

“Hungry?” he asked, breaking the silence between them.

“Nay,” she answered softly.

He stood and walked over to her, his frown one of concern.

His hand went to her head. “You feel well?”

“Aye, I feel fine, just not hungry.”

He sat beside her on the bed, his usual perch throughout the day. “You did not feel hungry this morning as well.”

She yawned, though she had slept well last night and had slept again only two hours after waking. It had been but an hour’s sleep, and now after only a couple of hours she felt tired once again.

She grew annoyed thinking of all the time she spent sleeping. “I sleep too much.”

“You heal.”

“I grow sore and useless from the constant use of this bed.” She grew brave. “I need to move around more on my own.”

“Nay!” He was firm and stern in his response.

She raised a brow without realizing it. “You cannot dictate to me.”

He grinned, holding back a laugh. “You think not?”

Silence and thought would have been a wise choice, but she was not feeling wise at the moment. Her forced confinement, her lack of mobility without pain, and his dictatorial manner caused her temper to flair. “You have no right.”

He could not contain his laughter. “Aye, but I have the strength.”