He did not answer at once.
She reached into the folds of her cloak and drew out a small flask. “I have this,” she said, holding it out. “Moira insisted that I take it with me on the come down from the birth.”
Maxwell eyed it. “Moira insists on many things.”
“She does,” Ariella agreed. “But she is rarely wrong.”
He took the flask, their fingers brushing briefly. The contact sent a faint spark up her arm, unwelcome only because she welcomed it too much.
He took a measured sip, then handed it back. “Whiskey. Strong.”
“She believes strength solves most ailments.”
He gave a quiet sound that might have been amusement.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, not touching, yet close enough that Ariella could feel the heat of him through wool and leather. She was acutely aware of the space between them, how small it was, how deliberate.
“Ye were remarkable today,” he said suddenly.
She blinked. “I beg yer pardon.”
“In the chamber,” he clarified. “Ye did nae falter.”
She lowered her gaze. “I only did what needed doing.”
“That is nae nothin’,” he said. “Many falter when they are needed most.”
She glanced up at him. “Did ye?”
He shook his head. “Nay.”
“That is because ye are accustomed to danger,” she said.
His eyes flicked to hers. “So are ye, it seems.”
She laughed softly. “Only of a different sort.”
The wind rose, tugging at her cloak. Without comment, Maxwell shifted closer and adjusted the edge of his cloak, so it shielded her as well. The movement was instinctive, unthinking.
Her breath caught.
“Thank ye,” she murmured.
He nodded once, as though the matter required no further discussion.
But her heart beat faster all the same.
They began to walk the length of the battlements at an unhurried pace, the rhythm of their steps settling into something companionable.
“The healer praised ye,” Maxwell said.
Ariella frowned slightly. “She did?”
“She said ye did well,” he replied. “That she could have arrived an hour later and found matters still in hand.”
A warmth spread through her chest. “That was kind of her.”
“It was accurate,” he said.
