He clenched his jaw. He didn’t want her frightened. He didn’t want her watching him like he might fall from the saddle. But the look she gave him was not something he could deflect, for it held fear, anger, and relief tangled together so tightly it stole his breath.
“Davina,” he said, softer. “I’m standing, am I nae?”
“Ye’reslipping,” she shot back, glaring at him through unshed tears.
Damn it.
He almost smiled despite everything, because she was right. His fingers were beginning to numb, and his horse shifting beneath him sent sparks of pain through his shoulder. But pride would never let him admit it.
He reached out his uninjured hand and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “I’m fine.”
She shook her head, blinking hard. “Ye’re stubborn. And foolish. And…” She swallowed. “And I thought ye wouldnae come back.”
His gut twisted not at her accusation, but rather at the truth beneath it.
“I told ye,” he murmured. “I’ll always come back.”
Her breath shuddered out of her.
Behind them, the captured scout snarled. “Sweet words from a dead man walking.”
One of the guards cuffed him sharply in the back of the head. “Quiet, ye rat.”
Baird forced his gaze away from Davina, lifting his chin toward the waiting guards. “We ride home. Now.”
Davina stiffened beside him, with her eyes still locked on his wound, as though she feared looking away for even a heartbeat.
“Stay close,” he told her quietly.
“I will,” she whispered.
They mounted again, slowly this time, and turned toward the castle. Davina rode so close their knees almost brushed, as if proximity alone could keep him upright.
Baird pretended not to notice. He pretended her presence didn’t steady him more than any bandage could.
CHAPTER 20
By the time they reached the castle courtyard, dusk had settled into a heavy blue. Torches flickered along the walls, their light catching the crimson on Baird’s sleeve.
Davina slid from her horse the moment her boots hit the ground. Baird dismounted too, slower than usual. She noticed the tightness in his shoulders and the way his fingers pressed into his wound as though to hide the weakness.
He turned to her. “Go up tae our chamber and get some rest. Ye’ve had enough fer one day.”
Rest?
Her brow rose. “And where are ye going?” she asked.
“Tae question the scout. Kenny’s already taking him down tae the cells.” Baird started toward the inner stair, as if he expected the matter closed.
Davina stepped in front of him.
“Nay, ye are nae.”
His eyes narrowed slightly in that way he had when he was trying to decide whether she was being unreasonable.
“I dinnae have time tae argue. This is important,” he told her patiently.
“So is the fact that ye’re bleeding.” She crossed her arms, planting herself firmly. “Badly.”
