When he went inside, he found Blackmane laid out on a cot near the hearth. Yetta had already removed the arrow and was now stitching the wound. She nodded at Roul as he entered, face creasing.
‘Look who became a man.’
Roul leaned on the doorframe. ‘Good to see you, Yetta. I wish it were under better circumstances.’
Eda was carefully washing the wound on Blackmane’s head, eyes blinking with exhaustion.
‘Let me do that,’ Wilona said, taking the cloth from her hand. ‘You go have a wash. Odella will find you something to wear. You’re just about the same size.’
Odella took her by the arm and guided her to the next room.
When Roul went to follow, his mother said, ‘I think your sister has things under control in there.’ She gave him a knowing smile. ‘Why don’t the rest of you head next door and get cleaned up also, give Yetta some space?’
The men filed out of the house. Roul glanced a final time at the room where Eda was, then followed.
Once they were clean and dressed, Lana arrived with a pot of soup, bowls, and spoons. She informed them that Blackmane was stitched up and now resting.
‘Thank you,’ Roul said. He then sent Alveye to watch the road and Hadewaye to guard the horses. Tatum and Woottone remained with the prince, and Roul went in search of Eda. She exited the house just as he reached the door.
‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘It took your poor sister forever to comb the mud from my hair.’
Eda’s wet hair was braided, and she wore a simple long-sleeve beige dress that was belted around the waist.
‘Better?’ he asked.
She nodded and looked to the road. ‘Do you want me to keep watch?’
‘Alveye’s keeping watch.’
She reached up to touch the split above his eye. ‘You could ask Yetta to stitch it.’
‘It’s fine.’ He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips.
Eda looked behind her. ‘What if your family walks out?’
‘I don’t care. I watched you nearly die at least five times today. I need you close.’
She leaned her head on his chest. ‘Will Lord Roger send more men after us?’
‘I don’t know.’
They were silent a moment. Roul was playing with the end of her braid while watching the road.
‘What happens now?’ she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He rubbed his stubbly cheek on her hair. ‘Now we go home.’
She looked up at him. ‘And then?’
His eyes met hers. He knew what she was asking. Hooking a finger under her chin, he lifted her face. ‘Then we make a plan.’
‘You already have a plan.’
He brushed his thumb down her cheek. ‘Eda,’ he whispered. ‘What did you say to me in the forest earlier today?’
Her eyebrows came together as she tried to recall.
‘You said, “I’m not leaving you behind again, so don’t ask me to”, remember?’
