She nodded. ‘I remember.’
‘We’ll figure all this out.’
She bit her lip to stop from speaking.
‘What?’
‘How? How will we figure it out? My family is there. Your family is here.’
He dipped his head to kiss her, lips melting against hers. He could feel the steady beat of her heart against his ribs. ‘We’ll figure it out.’ He spoke the words into her mouth. ‘No soldier left behind.’
Her lips turned up.
A whistle cut through the air. A warning.
Roul ushered Eda into the house, then went to peer out of the small window. He ducked when two riders trotted by.
‘English soldiers?’ Clive asked.
Roul nodded. He looked over at Blackmane, whose eyes were now wide open. ‘Can you ride?’
Blackmane sat up. ‘Of course I can ride. No point waiting until the place is swarming with soldiers.’
‘Us being here puts your family in danger,’ Eda added quietly.
Clive waved the comment away. ‘Don’t you rush off on our account.’
Hadewaye appeared in the doorway, looking around for Roul. ‘Orders, Commander?’
‘Ready the horses. Tell the others we’re leaving.’
His mother sprang into action. ‘I’ll pack you some food to take with you.’
‘Please don’t leave yourselves short,’ Eda said. ‘We still have some salted meat left.’
‘Wish I could offer you fresh horses,’ his father said.
Eda touched his arm as she passed by. ‘Our horses have had a decent rest. We’ll be fine.’
The horses were saddled and ready to leave twenty minutes later. It was time for Roul to say goodbye to his family.
‘You take care of yourself,’ Clive said, hugging him.
‘I will.’ He moved to his sisters, kissing their wet cheeks before turning to his mother. ‘I’ll be back.’
‘Or not.’ Wilona glanced at Eda. ‘Your eyes never leave her.’ She gave a resigned shrug. ‘What more could a mother want for her only son? I love you no matter what. I hope you know that.’
Roul kissed her. ‘I’m coming back.’ Of course he had to come back. He could not just leave them to wither in this place while he built a life elsewhere. He would figure out a plan once he got everyone safely back to Chadora.
Eda stepped up to them. ‘Thank you for everything.’
‘We hope to see you again,’ Wilona said.
‘Likewise.’
Roul waited until Eda was on her horse before mounting. ‘Blackmane, if you need to stop, you speak up. We don’t want any torn stitches.’ He looked at Prince Becket. ‘Any questions?’
The prince shook his head.
