Her grin broke through and she looked up at him, seeing how very weary he appeared. Reaching up, she stroked his rough cheeks tenderly.
“What is happening?” she begged softly. “Is there more battle to come?”
The twinkle in his eyes dimmed. “Eventually,” he told her. “Jean’s army is bivouacked about twelve miles south. They did not make it very far with all of the wounded they are carrying. Additionally, I am told that there is very bad weather to the south which is also hampering their travel. The king is moving south to attack Edward, I believe, and it is my intention to weaken him seriously before he can accomplish that.”
She gazed up at him. “When will you leave?”
He sighed heavily and averted his eyes. “Before the sun sets.”
“That does not give us much time to say what needs to be said.”
He looked at her again, his expression guarded. “I do not want to go, Wynny.”
She nodded patiently. “I know,” she said. “But you must. Too many people are depending on you.”
“Do you want me to go?”
“Of course not. But if you remain with me, who else can command in your stead? Who else can bring fear to the hearts of men but the Black Angel?”
He grunted with displeasure at her statement, at the situation in general, before stretching out on the bed beside her and wrapping her up in his arms as much as he was able. Armor and a mail coat made it very difficult but he did the best he could. He had to hold her, to feel her in his arms. It gave him such comfort. As he lay there with his mouth on her forehead, tears began to fill his eyes. He simply couldn’t help it.
“The midwife says she does not know what is wrong with you,” he whispered. “She believes we should wait and see if your pain subsides because it is too early for the child to be born. However, if your pains do not subside, she says there is a potion she can give you to induce the birth. Wynny, if it comes to saving your life or the child’s, I will choose your life every time. We can always have another child, but there will never be another you.”
She sighed faintly. “The child will be fine,” she insisted. “There is nothing to worry over.”
“Are you still feeling pain?”
“Not much,” she lied.
He wasn’t sure if he believed her or not but he let it go. He leaned back, pinching her chin between his thumb and forefinger and forcing her to look at him.
“Do you understand me?” he said softly. “If the choice is between you and the child, I will choose you. Those are my wishes and you will not disobey them.”
“I understand.”
Gazing into her bottomless eyes, he kissed her tenderly. Then he kissed her again and hugged her tightly, staving off the floodof tears that threatened. Ellowyn sensed his sadness, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him tightly. She sensed his deep reluctance and his unwillingness to do what he had been born and trained to do. His mind was with her and as long as he believed she was in danger, his thoughts would be with her even though his body would be with the army.
Distraction is deadly. It was all she could think of. She didn’t want her distracted husband taking an arrow to the chest because he wasn’t being vigilant. It would absolutely destroy her. She tried not to think on that terrible dream that had plagued her for so long, the one she now determined had something to do with Brandt.
The de Russe dragon on the breastplate.Brandt didn’t give any stock in her dreams and she would not bring it up. Perhaps this one would not come true, as others had not. Perhaps it was just the musings of her overactive mind. Still, it was difficult to shake off the sense of foreboding she had at Brandt’s imminent departure.
But it would be her burden to bear alone. As much as she didn’t want him to go to war, she knew she had to be the strong one at this moment. He had to continue Edward’s fight and she could not stop it. Brandt had to believe she was well and that everything was going to be all right.
“I do not want you to worry,” she said, forcing her courage. “I am feeling much better. I am sure everything will be fine. But I must ask you a question.”
“What is that?”
“How areyoufeeling?”
He paused, considering the question. “My strength has never been better,” he replied. “But my mind….”
“Your mind is sharp and cunning,” she insisted. “You must not worry over me, Brandt. The babe and I will be fine and I swear I will send you word if anything changes. But for now,there is a prince who needs you as he has always needed you. You must go.”
He knew that. God help him, he knew it. He pulled back to look at her, the sweet lines of her face, tucking it back into his memory for days that were particularly lonely. But he knew the risks, not only to her but to him. She was facing an uncertain pregnancy. He was facing battle. There was every reason to believe he would never see her again but every hope that he would. His throat was tight with emotion as he kissed her gently on the mouth.
“Walking through life with you, madam, has been a very gracious thing,” he told her. “I love you more than words can express.”
“And I love you,” Ellowyn whispered, struggling against the tears. “I will see you soon.”
