She was quiet for a moment. “That’s…really noble.” She stood. “I’m going to get dressed. Do you need anything else?”
I needed to get out of this cot. Needed to check on my men, plan our next move, do something other than lie here like an invalid. But my body wasn't cooperating and asking her for help felt like admitting defeat.
“No. Not right now.”
She headed toward the back of the cavern. Someone had hung curtains there, creating a makeshift dressing area. That hadn’t been there before.
Grump probably. Reverence for women was one of his traits—chivalrous to his core.
Something that wasn’t my forte.
What I wanted next was a shower and clean clothes. Maybe if I washed off the sweat and blood, I’d feel more like myself.
I put my hands on the cot and tried to push myself up. My arms shook. I collapsed back onto the thin mattress, my side screaming in protest.
“Fuck,” I grumbled.
Alice emerged from behind the curtain, and my breath caught.
She looked like one of my men. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A belt cinched the tunic at her waist, andthe tights hugged her legs, revealing lean muscle I hadn’t noticed before.
I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was the woman who’d climbed down a ten-story tree and stopped time twice.
She hurried over to me. “What’s wrong?”
“I tried to get up.”
She scowled. “I thought we established that walking would end in disaster.”
“I don’t want to stay in this damn cot.” I gritted my teeth. “I want a shower. Clean clothes. I feel disgusting.”
She was quiet for a moment, chewing her lip. “I can’t carry you to where the men shower. But...” A flush crept up her cheeks. “I could bring water here. Wash you. If you’d let me.”
The offer sent my thoughts in a dangerous direction. Her hands. My skin. Water and heat and—no. I couldn't let her see me this weak. Couldn't risk what might happen if she touched me and I couldn't do a damn thing about it.
"I'll manage."
She turned without a word. Just walked over to the waterfall and filled two bowls with water. She draped a towel over her arm, grabbed two bottles, and brought everything back.
Her movements were efficient. Careful. Like she was helping a stranger.
I hated it. Minutes ago she'd been looking at me like I mattered. Now there was a wall between us, and I'd built it myself.
She placed them on a small nightstand next to my cot. “If you need any help, let me know.”
A small smile flickered across her face—not quite warm, but not cold either. A truce, maybe.
“I’ll be fine.” I dipped the cloth into one bowl and pressed it to my side. Fire ripped through the wound, sharp, and relentless. Shit, this fucking sucked.
“Darius, you’re going to hurt yourself. Just let me help you.” She crossed her arms, exasperation written all over her face.
I wanted to argue. But the truth was, I wasn't sure I could handle her hands on me right now. Not when I was this vulnerable. Not when every touch would remind me how much I wanted more than I could have.
“Do it.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Excuse me?”
I winced—not from the wound this time. That had come out wrong. Like she was a soldier under my command, not someone offering kindness.
