Christian took another step forward.
Raven moved in front of him, her hands up like a shield. “Let her do it.”
“I can help her,” he vowed in a guttural growl, his stare focused on Willow.
“You should be sharpening your sword or seeing to your horse.”
His gaze shifted to Raven. “My only concern right now is Willow. Everything else can wait.”
With a heavy sigh, Raven moved aside.
Christian hesitated. He knew Willow needed to do this on her own.
Willow released a terrified scream that rang through the forest like the dying call of a bird. Mercy sidestepped away from her, and Willow lost her grip on her mane, stumbling toward the water.
Christian charged forward with lightning speed, sloshing through the water until he was at her side.
Marcus pulled her up before she went under.
Christian steadied her with a hand on her arm.
Willow glanced at Christian briefly before turning her attention back to the dark water. “Something brushed my leg.”
“Just a fish,” Marcus assured her.
“Are you well?” Christian asked with concern, holding onto her arm tightly.
She smiled.
His world opened as if the sun was shining.
“You didn’t take your boots off,” she said.
He shrugged, a grin spreading over his lips. “They’ll be wet tomorrow.”
She nodded. “And probably the next day. Remove them.”
“It’s too late now.” Christian eased her hand from Marcus’s into his. “How are you doing?”
“She’s doing good,” Marcus replied.
Christian ignored him and stared at Willow.
She gazed out over the pond and took a deep breath. “I don’t like the water,” she admitted. “Or the fish. But Mercy is helping.”
At her name, the horse whinnied and sloshed to Willow’s side. Willow reached out to grasp her mane again.
“Do you need a break?” Christian asked.
“A break?” Marcus balked. “She just started.”
Christian turned to him, his eyes narrowed. “She needs a break.”
“I think Christian is the one who needs a break,” Willow said kindly. “Give us a few moments, please, Marcus.”
Marcus sighed and walked back to the bank.
Willow stared at Christian with a gentle grin curling her shapely lips. “Were you worried about me or jealous?”
