"But what if she awakens blind again? She'll never marry me then."
***
Colin sat alone by Kristina's bedside for the second night in a row, the low-burning hearth fire and a single candle the only light in the room. She had not moved. Instead, she lay on her side, limp, lifeless and pale. The sheet and blankets had been pulled up over her shoulder. Her broken, splinted arm was cradled on a pillow, while she lay on her unbruised shoulder. The healers determined this would be the best position for her, to take the pressure off her head injury.
When Deidra had changed out the poultice earlier, he'd seen the bruised and swollen knot on the back of her head. 'Twas an appalling shade of blue and purple within her blond curls, and it pained him to see it. At the moment, it was covered with a fresh herbal poultice and a linen cloth.
"Why did this happen?" he whispered.
Everything happened for a reason, the wise ones said. What was the purpose of this?
He didn't understand why suffering happened.
Remembering how his father had responded after he'd talked to him, Colin leaned forward, took the hand of Kristina's uninjured arm and kissed the back, then stroked her palm.
"Kristina, I don't ken whether you can hear me, but if you can… I need to tell you I'm here for you. I love you and I forgive you. More than anything, I want you to be my wife. If only you will wake up and recover, we will be married when you're able. That is… if you will have me."
She shifted restlessly and grimaced. Despite her obvious pain, joy and thankfulness filled him. 'Twas the first time she'd moved since her injury!
When she dropped still, he leaned closer, studying her face in the low light. "Kristina?"
She did not respond or move another muscle. Her face relaxed.
He stroked her palm and her fingertips. "I'm sorry you are hurting, my sweet."
No response.
"Are you awake?"
Nay, she was not, but the movement had to be a good sign.
Leaning back, he listened to her even, steady breaths, thanking God for each one.
Colin didn't realize he'd dropped off to sleep when he was startled awake by the sound of wood thumping against the floor.
He straightened, finding he still sat in the chair at Kristina's bedside. Dawn light glowed at the window. He swung his gaze toward the door, where someone stood.
"Ralston?"
The burly young man limped forward on a pair of ancient crutches. He stared at Kristina. "How is she?"
"Earlier, she moved a wee bit." Colin sat forward, taking her hand and stroking the palm, listening to her breathing. "Lady Kristina?" he murmured.
She did not move an eyelash.
Ralston shook his head, looking as worried as Colin felt. A sinking feeling latched onto his gut, but he was determined to be hopeful.
"How's your leg?" Colin asked.
"'Twill be fine soon, I'm thinking. Tavia is a good healer."
"I've not yet had an opportunity to tell you 'twas a rash and daft thing you did, shoving me out of the way and running into danger like that. 'Tis why you were injured."
Ralston shrugged. "I could nay let you get yourself killed, now could I?"
Colin frowned, wondering what exactly he'd meant by that. It sounded more like something his brother would say.
"I did it for Kristina," Ralston clarified. "She loves you, and if you were to get killed, she would be devastated. She came here to marry you, after all. I ken you love her, as well. You will always take care of her… far better than I ever could as her penniless half-brother." Ralston's expression was bleak but determined." I wasn't there for my sisters during their worst ordeals, when those two bastards were tormenting them, but I'm here now. I wish to make it up to them. I want to see them married to men who will treat them like queens."
