He held tightly to her. ‘Blood goes with the job.’
She took a few calming breaths. ‘That’s actually really sad.’ Then she burst out laughing again. ‘I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’
He sat her on the edge of the garden bed, waiting a good five minutes for her to finish laughing. ‘You done?’ he asked when she finally fell silent.
She let out an enormous breath and looked down at the bloodied hand covering her arm. ‘I think so.’ Her expression turned serious. ‘I think I really miss them.’
He did not have to ask who she was talking about. He had witnessed the close relationship with her sisters first-hand.
Reaching inside his cloak, he pulled out a ball of fabric.
‘You carry that around just in case?’ she asked.
He began wrapping her arm. ‘You’d be surprised how often we need medical supplies.’
‘Would I though?’
A smile flickered on his face. When he was done bandaging the arm, he said, ‘A few more weeks, and then you’ll be home with your sisters. They can laugh at you then.’
Her expression softened. ‘Honestly, I thoughtyouwould be first to laugh.’
‘Not when it’s my job to return you to the castle in one piece.’ He pulled her to her feet by her good arm, keeping hold of her until he was sure she was steady.
‘In the meantime, I have Kendra to lecture me and you to boss me around.’
His eyes moved between hers, and then he let go of her arm. ‘Time to go.’
‘But I’m not fin—’
‘You’re finished.’
She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again. ‘Can we at least go by the shop and see if anyone is there?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?
He looked heavenwards. ‘Because my orders are to escort you back to Eldon Castle when you’re done.’
‘But Queen Fayre doesn’t know I’m done.’
He gestured for her to start walking. ‘There’s a flag parade going straight past the shop. Someone will see you.’
‘So?’ She did not move.
‘So the woman has a firm grasp on your future, and she’s expecting you to play by her rules.’
‘Would it kill you to speak kindly to me? You’re the closest thing I have to a friend right now.’
His lungs stilled. ‘I know it might not seem like it, but this is me looking out for you. You need to keep Queen Fayre onside. She’s the only friend who matters right now. Trust me.’
She stared at him for the longest time. ‘All right. I trust you.’
Chapter 14
Astin knocked on Kendra’s bedchamber door—for the third time. The royal carriage had already departed, and Kendra and Lyndal were supposed to be in the carriage behind it.
Drawing a long breath, he called, ‘Breaking down the door in three, two—’
