“I don’t want to come up with something else if it’s this dangerous.”
I looked across his chest at him. He let go of my hand to push some of my loose hair from my face.
“It was really hard last night, not knowing if you lived or died.”
“Twas difficult on the battlefield as well…”
“God, yes, that was an asinine thing for me to say. I know your battle was worse than my waiting, but still, it was hard.”
“Tis not what I meant, Alexandria. I meant, the battle was worse than I thought, I daena begrudge ye not joinin’ on the field. I fight for ye, because ye canna. I daena hold it against ye, but... ye need tae ken, ye canna rest, the battle is ragin’. Yer men hae been gravely wounded, we hae tae carry on.”
I pouted. “But I changed my mind, I want to do something different, something where you don’t have to die.”
“Ye canna, Alexandria, yer blood is royal, ye canna leave the battlefield, tis yer throne. If Max daena pull through, ye will be the heir.”
“You and I could just go live back at my house, with Dude, and like… how many children do you want?”
He chuckled, “I think ten will do it, three fair lasses, and seven strappin’ boys.”
“That’s alotof babies.”
“Yer family has had a great deal of loss, twill be a promise tae hae bairns, the future will be full of hope and grace.”
“I like that, how about we agree on five — three boys, two girls. And then we shall see.”
He grinned, “I will take all ye will give, mo leannan.”
“But you won’t let me quit?”
“I canna let ye, tis not up tae me. And if I took ye from the kingdom and hid ye away for m’own desires, even tae keep ye safe, the case could be made that I would be a scoundrel.”
“I have to be selfless?”
“Aye, ye and Max are the crown, the throne, the kingdom. Ye canna quit, ye must live up tae yer calling.”
I nodded. “You know I didn’t really mean it. I know all of this, but I just need you to tell me again, I need to hear you say it.”
“I ken. Ye want me tae be stern with ye, tis how ye find strength. I daena mind, especially now that ye hae promised me five bairns, with more bairns a possibility. Ye can say anythin’ yewant, ye can argue with me day and night, and I will think m’self blessed, och, the bairns are coming.”
I chuckled. “You are very easy.”
His face turned serious. “I daena feel easy, tis likely verra dangerous right now, more than ever.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, for one, Rannald is likely angry, we surprised him and he dinna die, if we go meet him on another field he will be like facin’ off against a badger tied tae a bee hive.”
“What could he be planning?”
He shook his head. “I believe the uncles hae spies, they will ken soon. We must pray that we ken afore anything more damagin’ happens.”
I watched him for a moment more. “I wish I could climb in bed with you.”
He raised his good arm. “If ye can fit.”
I kicked off my shoes and climbed up onto the bed. I’m sure it was quite the image, with my long dress hanging down from the side of the bed, my head on his chest, he with bandages on his shoulder.
I carefully let my head get heavy. “Is this okay?”
