Her face softened with concern. “Then make me.”
Tiredness washed over him. Colyne wished he could explain, but too much lay at stake to take such a risk. “Nay, ’tis better if you know naught.”
“But . . . why?”
The concern in her voice had him again damning the situation. With a curse, Colyne stood. His legs trembled, as if mocking his weakness. He couldna escort Alesia to the coast; she was a stranger, a woman whose presence here raised numerous questions. Still, how could he allow her to travel unprotected? Neither could he forget that she’d saved his life.
Bedamned this entire situation.
“Fine,” Colyne snapped. “I will take you eastward to a trusted friend. But nay farther. He will make arrangements for you to reach France.”
She paused as if mulling over his offer.
“I would nae hesitate if I were you,” he warned. “I might change my mind.”
“Then I accept your gracious offer,” she replied, her voice somber, but a wisp of laughter danced in her eyes.
A sword’s wrath, the lass toyed with him! And as much as he should be irritated, Colyne found appreciation at her daring, a tactic he’d employed himself moments before.
The hard, steady cadence of hooves echoed in the distance.
Colyne turned toward the entrance. Renard’s men!
Alesia’s face paled. “They have returned! We must keep quiet until they have passed.”
Returned? Guilt collided with suspicion. Why hadna she told him the men had searched the area while he was unconscious? Whatever the reason, thank God she had kept them hidden. He unsheathed his sword, biting back the pain in his wounded shoulder. “Move behind me.”
Frustration flashed in her eyes. She rushed over and tried to pull the blade from his grip.
“Ale—”
What do you think you are doing?” she demanded.
The rumble of hooves increased.
In disbelief, Colyne stared at her hand clasped above his own. “Release my weapon!”
She gave a hard tug. “You are too weak to be wielding a sword.”
“If we are discovered, you had best pray for my strength.”
“Why?”
“Because,” Colyne snarled, “the men want me dead.”
Chapter 3
Colyne hadna thought her face could whiten further but it did. “My lady?”
Panic streaked through her eyes as she stared up at him. “They want you dead?”
A sword’s wrath! “Hide behind the boulder.”
She didn’t move.
“Now!”
With a start, Alesia ran to the large rock near the back of the cave, and he followed.
