Page 18 of Love Me Forever

Her only option was to wait until Royce returned. He told her he would not be long. She could manage to sit there and wait. She had no choice, she had to, and she intended to convince herself that she could. She had courage, she had strength, and she had a relentless throbbing pain in her back that began to move down her leg.

She lost track of time; she did not remember when her tears began, she only knew she could not stop crying. Her cries turned to sobs, and that is when the door opened.

She had no intentions of calling out to him. She did not wish to embarrass herself any more than necessary. But the open door brought a rush of cold air, the pain had grown unbearable, and she ached for the comfort and safety of his arms.

She called out to him through her sobs. “Royce.”

He shoved the door shut at the same moment he dropped the gutted rabbit he held. He rushed to her side and lifted her up into his arms, the blanket falling off her and her cry of pain tearing at his heart.

“My back,” she said between labored breaths.

He placed her gently on the bed, turning her so that she rested on her stomach and he could examine her back. The dark bruise on her lower back and hip was taking its time healing, and it had spread down her leg. He ran tender fingers over the discolored area and she flinched.

He wanted to yell at her for being so foolish, but now was not the time, though he intended to have his say.

“It hurts,” she said, her tears continuing to fall. “And I am so very cold.”

He ran a slow hand over her backside and down her leg, brushing off the rushes that stuck to her tender skin, skin that felt like ice. “I am going to move you to rest on your good side so that the pressure will be taken off your injured side, and then I will get you warm.”

She nodded and allowed him his way with her. She simply did as he asked of her. She placed her arm around his neck as he directed, held on to him until he finished bracing pillows along her back. He was easing her pain and his warm hands felt so very good against her chilled skin. The pain faded slowly, but she was grateful that it faded, and she knew soon, very soon he would take her chill away.

Royce slipped his fur cloak off and covered her naked body with it. He then piled three wool blankets over her, covering her up to her chin and tucking the blankets in tightly around her so that no cold air could penetrate her warm cocoon.

He wiped at her tears, his heart aching for her, and it was with a firm voice he told her, “You will listen to me well, for you do not wish to see my wrath.”

Her eyes rounded with an ounce of fear, and she paid heed to his words.

“From this moment on you will do as I say without question. You will not move in or from that bed without my permission. You will do nothing for yourself without my permission. You will eat what I tell you to eat; you will sleep when I tell you to sleep. Is that understood?”

Brianna felt the need to defend her actions, foolish as they were. “I only meant to?—”

“—be foolish,” he finished for her.

“Aye, that I was,” she whispered and turned her glance from him, shamed at her own foolishness.

He cursed himself. He had not meant to discuss this with her until he had calmed down, but he was enraged more at himself than her, for he should have never left her alone. He should have realized she would have attempted such a foolish feat. She was too damn stubborn, not determined, but stubborn.

He did not, however, wish to make her feel worse, though he did intend that she obey him, as angry as that may make her. He sat beside her on the bed and wiped again at the fresh tears that fell slowly down her cheeks.

“The bruise on your back and leg is far from healed. Until it heals significantly, you will not move around on your own.”

“Is that an order?”

“Must I make it so or will you realize the wisdom of my way?”

He did not speak harshly, though his voice was firm, and if she gave it thought she would realize that he was being wise in telling her to remain abed until strong enough to stand, while she was being stubbornly foolish in wanting to stand when she felt herself ready.

“I will do as you say—for now.”

“You give me your word on this?”

“Aye, my word,” she agreed without hesitation. She had trouble keeping her eyes open. The more comfortable and warm she became, the more tired she felt. Her ordeal had robbed much of her strength, and her body ached for a restful slumber.

“Sleep,” he said softly and with concern.

“I am tired.”

Her eyes drifted closed and his hand reached out and stroked her cheek. He was with her and she was safe. She need not worry; he would look after her, ease her pain, keep her warm, and protect her from harm. This she knew and did not doubt.