I tossed and turned, waiting for Reese to wake me for the second watch. It felt like a lifetime had passed by, in agonizing boredom and tumultuous, unsteady thoughts.
Sitting up, I pulled out my broken pocket watch and checked the time. I didn’t know why I bothered. The hour hand was still damaged, endlessly twitching between four and five.
Whatever the case, I was certain more coddling was occurring.
Reese did not intend to wake me for the second watch.
Grabbing my sword, I strode out into the darkness. Reese sat on a rock by the dying embers, watching the darkness that led toward the wall.
“Surely,” I said. “It's far past time for me to take over.”
Reese glanced over his shoulder. “I must have lost track of time.”
“Is that right?” I arched an eyebrow.
“I figured you wouldn’t mind the extra sleep when you woke.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” Touching his arm, I beckoned him up. “Let me take over.”
Sighing heavily, he stood. “I’m getting worse at being your knight by the day. Do you remember when I beat you into the ground? I doubt I could spar with you at all, at this rate.”
“Should I irritate you beforehand? That would help you beat me senseless.”
He chuckled, gaze lingering on my face. Eyes narrowing, he drew closer. His thumb brushed my jawline, gently tilting my head. "When did you get this?"
Breath catching, my eyes flicked down to my neck. A burn traced my skin, nearly hidden beneath my tunic's collar. "That must have come from Brighid's shield. I was so distracted, I didn't even notice."
Without removing his thumb, Reese reached into the bag at his hip and produced a vial of poultice. He snapped it open and brushed back my collar.
"The first time I met Ferris," he said, dabbing poultice onto the burn. "He was bleeding out—broken ribs, internal damage. Had I not been there, he would have died. In the years since, he's grown up, but I can't unsee that frightened, dying child."
I swallowed, trying not to look at Reese, trying to breathe.
"It's a bad habit of mine," he murmured. "You can’t keep getting injured like this, Sunshine. I won't stop being overprotective of you any time soon."
"You say that like I don't want your help."
"When I'm done training you." A smile tugged at his lips. "You will be an army on your own. And I'll have to learn to trust you."
Reese folded my collar down, studying his work.
"I understand," I chuckled. "I feel the same about Liam."
"I've lost so much, and I just . . . " He sighed, lowering his hand. "I don't want to lose anyone else."
My body tensed under his gaze. I should step away, out of his reach. I should stop this before it could truly begin.
But I didn’t move.
Reese grabbed a stray lock of my hair and tucked it behind my ear. Warring emotions battled on his face. One moment, I swore he was going to close what little distance separated us. The next, I could tell he was thinking the same thing I was.
Romance between us was forbidden.
Averting his gaze, Reese stepped back. “Bláth’s got third watch. She sleeps like the dead—kick her if you need to.”
Mentioning Bláth shattered the moment. I nodded. “I’m not sure she’d appreciate that from me, but I’ll keep it in mind.”
Reese offered a slight smile and returned to his tent. He paused and glanced over his shoulder, golden eyes watching me. Longing.
