Page 16 of Love Me Forever

“You are wise in ways I would not expect a warrior to be.”

“A warrior sees much, much too much.” His voice grew soft as though he did not wish to hear his own words.

She thought to ask him what he saw, but now was not the time. He did not need to relive such harsh memories. She found the strength once again to raise her fingers to his lips. “If you look in my satchel, you will find a pouch of herbs. I can make a poultice from them that will help heal your wounds.”

He realized it took great effort for her to hold her hand up, and he realized he wanted to continue to feel her tender touch. His hand went to her wrist to gently give it support. She was pleased that he did not mind her touch.

She had reached out to him without thought, wanting only to offer comfort, a strange reaction for her, for she was taught never to touch her husband without permission. Yet she gave no mind to touching him, and he gave no mind to her action.

“When you are stronger,” he said his warm breath a gentle whisper on her fingers.

“The sooner the poultice is applied to the fresh wounds, the better the healing.”

“Then you will instruct me how to prepare it and I will make it.”

She pouted like a child who was disappointed in not having her way. “I wish to make the poultice.”

He took her hand and held it lightly in his. “Squeeze my hand.”

She understood he intended to prove his point, and she intended to prove him wrong. She eagerly did as he directed, mustering all the strength she possibly could. She focused on her hand, took a deep breath, and with all her might she squeezed.

She paid dearly for her effort. Her hand throbbed and her arm trembled and a vicious pain stabbed at her side. Her eyes fluttered and she whispered in urgency, “Royce.”

“Damn,” he mumbled. He soothed her with comforting words, kissed her forehead, her hand, her cheek, and she turned her face to rest her cheek to his.

“I feel so safe with you, so very safe.”

“Always. You will always be safe with me. I will allow no harm to come to you, ever.”

“You do have a good soul,” she whispered and kissed his cheek before her eyes fluttered closed.

It was a silent nay that echoed in his head.

How could he have a good soul when he had no soul at all?

CHAPTER6

“You will be as you are when I return.”

“That sounds like an order.” Brianna smiled and watched Royce make ready to leave the cottage.

She had such a pleasant smile that he could not help but return it, though he had come to realize her smile could precipitate her stubbornness. “It is a wise edict.”

“I am feeling better.” She actually was feeling stronger and had managed to move herself around in the bed. Her bruises, the ones that she could see, were healing nicely. It was the bruise she could not see that gave her the most discomfort. Her sleep had calmed considerably, but then she had Royce to thank for that. His arms were always there to ease her restlessness and she had grown accustomed to seeking them even when not necessary and the thought troubled her.

“When I return, I will help you into your night shift, and if you feel able, I will help you to stand.” His look was stern, or as stern as it could be with his features so distorted. “For only a moment and then it is back to bed. Until then you stay as you are—in bed.”

“You will not be long?” she asked, not worried about remaining alone but wishing for alone time to perhaps attempt to do something on her own.

He walked to the bed, looking twice his size, his shoulders and chest encased in leather and fur. “Does it bother you to remain alone?”

His voice was full of concern, and it touched her heart. He had been and continued to be so very good to her, and she wondered why. She was a stranger to him and yet he cared.

“Nay, I will be fine. I but wonder how long the hunt will take you.”

“The snow has stopped,

and the animals are as hungry as we. It should not take me long.” He reached out and tucked her dark hair behind her ear. “You will be safe here. The cottage is in a remote area with no distinct path leading to its door, and with the freshly fallen snow no one will be about. And I will not be far off.”