Page 14 of Bound to a Warrior
“And news travels fast in these parts. It will be known soon enough that Bailey and his wife left their farm in fear of their lives for helping us.”
“Which means no one will want to offer us assistance.”
“It’s not that they don’t want to,” Duncan said. “They’re just too afraid of the consequences.”
“So we’re on our own,” she said and handed him her last piece of bread. “I’m not hungry anymore.”
He took it, though he didn’t eat it. He held it to her lips. “If we both are to survive, we both must remain strong and that takes nourishment. Eat.”
Though her stomach no longer yearned for food, she did as he asked, for he was right. She had to fortify her body when possible, since there was no telling when next they would eat.
A chilly crispness filled the night air, though Mercy wasn’t as cold as last night, but then she had been naked, her clothes soaking wet. And tonight they even had a blanket to help keep them warm.
She didn’t stop to think whether they would snuggle together for warmth once again, it seemed to be expected. Once stretched out on the pallet of leaves they nestled together in each other’s arms with the comfort of old lovers reunited.
“Much warmer than last night,” Duncan said, “even without a fire.”
“And our stomachs are at least somewhat satisfied,” she added. “So it seems that our lot has improved.”
His arm tightened around her. “For now, but our journey is far from over.”
She nestled her cheek against his chest, the familiar scent comforting. “We work well together, therefore, we will do well together.”
He rested his cheek on the top of her head. “We make a good pair.”
Mercy laid in silence listening to Duncan’s steady breathing while sleep crept over her. His words danced in her thoughts and she smiled.
They did make a good pair. How sad that they would have to part.
Chapter 5
Duncan woke early the next day, and though he would have much preferred to let Mercy remain comfortably snuggled in his arms, he knew he couldn’t. He had to get her feet bandaged and they had to get moving. There was no telling where the soldiers were by now, or if a larger contingent was sent to track them. Besides, not being able to travel the main roads would surely hamper their progress.
He hesitated a moment more, lingering in the warmth of her body pressed so intimately against his. They might not be naked this time, but that didn’t stop him from remembering the swell and curves of her enticing body. He would not at all mind coupling with her.
He silently cursed his own tempting thoughts that instantly turned him hard. And he didn’t favor Mercy waking to his arousal pressed against her. They had enough to concern themselves with, without her needing to worry that he’d take advantage of her. Not that he wanted to take advantage of her. He rather hoped it would be a mutual coupling.
Stop thinking about it, you fool!
That’s right, he silently berated himself.Keep it up and—
He shook his head, taking his own words the wrong way and making him harder than ever. There was only one way out of this.
He pulled away from Mercy abruptly saying, “Wake up. We need to get started.”
Startled, Mercy bolted up, hurriedly rubbing sleep out of her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said curtly. “We just need to be on our way. No telling how many soldiers are on our trail.”
She yawned, rolled her shoulders and winced. “I miss a soft mattress.”
“Lucky you are that you once had one. I’ve had no more than a pallet.”
For a moment she appeared a bit anxious, but recovered quickly. “Nothing lasts forever.”
“What of love?” he asked.
“What of it?”
