“I’ve never done this by myself.” Roxanne’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled the dagger from Francis’ wound. “I’ve never done this by myself,” she said again and again when her hands reached for the medicine.
“You can do this!” Florence’s voice turned harsh as she passed the jar to her beloved.
A sound I’d never heard Francis make erupted in the room when the medicine met his flesh. His eyes flew open when another roar escaped him—
My eyelids heavied at the sounds of his cries. The emptiness took over my weak mind—
The darkness had won.
My sweet dream shattered at once when my eyes fluttered open.
The familiar space spun as my vision adjusted to the candlelight in the corner of the room in Gabriel’s house.
I forced a deep breath in that welcomed the nausea anew. A quiet groan escaped my lips when I willed my body to a seated position from the woolen blankets on the floor. Every bone in my body screamed in protest.
“Princess?” The familiar voice echoed through the small room, forcing my eyes into its direction.
“Francis,” I rasped when my eyes landed on the one I’d thought I would never see again. He dropped the book in his hands, rushing to where I sat. “Francis,” I mumbled when he sat beside me. His hands reached for my face, his eyes searching mine.
“Francis,” I whispered as tears slid down my cheeks. My hands brought him closer until my lips landed atop his.
His lips felt divine against mine; my hands wrapped around him, deepening our connection.
I kissed him with everything I had, praying to all who heard me for this delight to never end. Hot tears streamed down my face as I drowned in his strong hands. The tears didn’t stop when I broke away, for my eyes longed for proof of his presence.
“You are alive.” I carefully studied his features. “I was so worried,” my voice turned hoarse. “I was so worried that I would never see you again.” The memories of what had happened slowly returned to me, willing my gaze to Francis’ stomach. “Your wound—”
“Shh, it’s all right, love. I am all right.” He petted my hair, planting a tender kiss on my forehead. “You should lay back down, you are still recovering.”
“Don’t leave me,” I cried at the sound of his voice. “Please, don’t leave me.” I caught his hand, bringing it to my cheek.
“Never.” He brought me closer, enveloping me in his embrace. More tears escaped my eyes.
“I was so worried,” I mumbled against his neck; my hands clenched on the collar of his shirt as though my life depended on it.
“Shh.” His hands tightened around me, shielding me from the world.
“I love you, Francis.” I broke away from the embrace slightly, meeting his gaze. “I love you too.”
“I love you,” he whispered back, a lazy smile stretching his lips before a sigh pushed past them. “Everything is well now.”
I moved closer to him as a dull pain traveled up my thigh. My brows furrowed when my eyes landed on my injury.
“Florence tells me you were stabbed with Royal steel.” Francis helped me lay back down. “She arrived moments before the poison reached your heart.” Pain crossed Francis’ face when he glanced at the bleeding fabric around my thigh.
“Florence saved me.” The memories of the last fight invaded my mind. Caleb’s dying eyes froze in my thoughts.
“She did.” Francis nodded; his eyes filling with relief. “You should rest some more, love. A wound like that takes time to heal.” He wrapped his hand around mine. “But you will be all right. And I will be right here with you.” Francis wiped the tears off my face.
“I love you, Francis,” I whispered, closing my eyes against his touch.
Francis’ hand palmed my cheek, his thumb stroking my skin as he whispered, “For I’m a fool without your presence,
For I’m a fool without your heart.
Your mere glance—is my essence,
Your mere glance—an arrow’s shot.”He planted a kiss on my forehead when the door to the room opened.
