Page 42 of Bound to a Warrior
“When will we reach their land?” she asked.
“A day at the most.”
They continued walking, at times their pace hurried and other times slowed. By the time dawn broke on the horizon they had put a good distance between themselves and the soldiers.
They stood on a small hill and greeted the sun, their hands clasped and their limbs aching.
She swayed against him and he wrapped his arm around her. Her head went to rest on his chest.
“We’ll find shelter and rest. We both need it.”
“That would be best,” she said.
“You’re tired,” he said, feeling guilty that he had pushed her so hard yet again. He slipped his finger beneath her chin, wanting to gaze into her lovely eyes as he offered what encouragement he could.
His eyes sprung wide when he saw the blood caked above and around her eye.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were injured?” he said and scooped her up into his arms.
“You would have stopped.” She yawned. “And that would have been foolish.”
“You should have told me,” he scolded and looked around, not sure what he should do first.
“Water to cleanse the wound, food to give me strength and rest so I can heal,” she said as if providing him with an answer.
“There’s a stream not too far,” he said and began walking.
“How far?”
“Thirty or so minutes.”
“Put me down. I will walk,” she said.
“No!”
“Don’t be foolish,” she warned gently and rested her hand to his cheek. “If you tire from carrying me, how then will you be able to tend me?”
“Damn,” he mumbled. “Why must you make sense?”
“One of us must,” she said with a smile.
He eased her gently out of his arms, keeping his hands at her waist until he was certain that she had the strength to stand.
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
While he wanted to believe her, it was difficult. The blood was caked thickly above and around her eye and he feared if he disturbed the wound it would begin bleeding again.
“You should have told me,” he said again.
She rested her hand on his arm. “Wouldn’t you have done the same?”
He had to smile. “You know me too well.”
“That isn’t hard to do,” she said and tugged his hand for him to walk along with her.
He wanted badly to scoop her up and carry her, but she was right. They were both already exhausted and he would need what strength remained to not only see to her wound but to find a way to feed them and arrange a good shelter.
Silence followed them and by the time they reached the stream, fatigue was near to claiming them both.
