What madness possessed her to walk into a camp full of armed Goblins with nothing but a clever tongue and an outraged expression?
A hiss of pain escapes through her teeth as I adjust my grip beneath her shoulders, the movement reminding me all too vividly that she is still recovering from the Ogre attack.
The healer follows us inside the tent. She kneels beside the bedroll immediately as I lower Vivienne onto the blankets.
“Is everyone alright?” Vivienne asks the healer, blinking against the lantern light. Her voice sounds clearer now, though still faint with the lingering shock of the magic. She looks at me. “Did your warriors take care of the Goblins?”
“You saved us.” I gently cup her cheek. “And the Goblins are being dealt with.”
She exhales slowly. “Oh. Good.” Her gaze shifts toward the tent entrance. “Everyone’s safe then?”
My heart clenches. Even now, after everything, her first concern is not for herself. It’s for our people.
Outside the tent I hear the faint shuffle of boots. Several of my warriors have gathered nearby under the pretense of securing the camp, though the shadows against the canvas tell me they are listening to every word. And I know they will remember it.
The healer moves her hands slowly above Vivienne’s ribs, faint threads of magic flickering between her fingers. “Does that feel better?”
Vivienne nods slightly. “Yes.”
She tries to push herself upright. The movement lasts all of half a second before she draws in a sharp breath and sinks back again, her hands flying instinctively to her side.
The healer frowns. “You should rest for at least another day before traveling.”
“I can ride.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
The healer turns toward me. “You should delay your departure.”
Before I can answer, Vivienne shakes her head stubbornly. “We can’t.”
The healer raises an eyebrow. “You injured yourself moving a rune stone. You’re lucky you’re still conscious,” she adds.
“I’ll be fine,” Vivienne replies, struggling to keep her voice even.
“You were reckless.” I purse my lips. “What were you thinking marching into a Goblin camp alone?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I had a plan.”
“You had a death wish.”
Her eyes flash. “I had ahusbandand two dozen of his warriors trapped in a magical snare. I couldn’t just leave you.”
The words strike harder than any blade. For a moment I cannot speak. “You could have been killed.”
“Andyoucould have been killed if I did nothing.” Her eyes search mine, full of resolve. “I thought if we waited for reinforcements, it might have been too late.”
My jaw tightens. “You took a huge risk.”
Her gaze drifts toward the tent entrance where the soldiers linger. “Everyone else has families,” she murmurs. “Children. People who would miss them.” She looks down at her hands. “And your people need their king.”
Something twists painfully inside my chest. “Are you trying to say you believe you’re expendable?”
Her eyes snap to mine. “It just… I figured I was the most sensible option.”
“Gods, Vivienne.” I drag a hand roughly through my hair. “Do you have any idea how terrified I was when I saw you walk into that camp?”
