‘Why did you let go of the branch?’ Her voice was a croak.
He gave her a tired look. ‘You know exactly why. And don’t stand there and tell me I shouldn’t have, because you would’ve done exactly the same thing in my situation.’ When shestilldid not move, he added, ‘Every swim out to Flat Rock has prepared me for that moment. I knew what I was doing.’
She blinked and swallowed. ‘Well, don’t ever do that again.’ A shaky breath left her. ‘You don’t just let go like that—ever. We’re supposed to take care of each other. You said you would be at my side. I’m not… I’m not going home without you.’
He searched her eyes, his expression softening. ‘You won’t have to. I’m right here. I’ll be at your side through all of it. All right?’
Her shoulders relaxed, and she was finally able to draw breath. ‘We go home together.’
‘We go home together.’
CHAPTER24
All Roul could think about when he was underwater was Eda. Not only would she have to make it back to Chadora without him, but she would have to do it whilst grieving. She would insist on going to his home and telling his family in person, and then she would carry the weight of their grief also.
He had never been more grateful to hit a rock in his life. It had given him a moment to get his bearings, to surface. Tobreathe. From there, he had swum with all he had left to the river’s edge, before being dragged from the water by Blackmane.
‘Refreshing swim?’ the defender had asked as he pulled him up onto the bank.
It had taken Roul a moment to speak. ‘Is she all right?’ Those were the first words from his mouth.
She had been blue-lipped and struggling to stand when he had finally laid eyes on her. He could see the relief on her face. He had let go of that branch without a second thought. Anything to ensure she got out safely.
Now she was seated in front of the fire with a blanket around her, rosy-cheeked with her hair out and falling down one shoulder. A contrast to when she had stepped out of the house that morning, but equally as beautiful. She did not need painted lips and expensive clothes to make him pause. Slightly dishevelled at all times was part of her charm.
Rain fell lightly, but they were protected by a canopy of trees. Every now and then the desperate bray of a donkey drew their gazes to the river. And each time, Eda pressed her eyes shut.
‘Does everyone know what they’re doing when we reach the castle?’ Roul asked, trying to distract her.
Blackmane reached for his boots. ‘We hide, and we wait.’
‘Within hearing range in case something goes wrong,’ Alveye said. ‘You whistle, we come.’
Tatum’s lips turned up. ‘Like well-trained dogs. Ready to scale the walls at a moment’s notice.’
‘Hopefully it won’t come to that,’ Roul said. ‘We should get moving while we still have plenty of light.’
She met his eyes. ‘I’ll dress.’
‘I need you back as Lady Hayley in case we encounter anyone on the way.’
She nodded as she rose.
‘If your gown’s wet, blame Hadewaye,’ Tatum said.
Hadewaye threw a stick at him. ‘Youbrought it across the river.’
‘Because you were so afraid I thought you were going to piss yourself.’
Eda ruffled Hadewaye’s hair as she passed him. ‘Don’t take the bait.’
The men put out the fire and readied the horses while Eda got dressed for the second time that day. She put on the gown, re-braided her hair, and painted her lips, but there was no hiding the fatigue brought about by the morning’s events.
‘Better?’ she asked Roul, turning in a circle.
His eyes moved over her. ‘Better. Try to keep your hands out of sight as much as possible. They’ll be immediately suspicious of worked hands.’ He helped her mount before climbing atop his own horse, then signalled to the men. ‘Let’s move out.’
It was close to four hours later when Harlech Castle finally appeared through the trees, perched atop a rocky crag at the edge of the sea. The group stopped to take in the sight. Its walls were as grey and bleak as the sky framing it.
