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Adrian then came to me, looking down at me with some type of sincerity. I had never seen such concern in his eyes before.
“Are you all right?” he asked, with no mockery in his tone.
I nodded. I came to my feet to meet him, but stumbled, my legs still weak from the stress. Adrian caught me before I hit the ground, laughing softly.
“Henrik was right,” he said. “You’re pretty weak.”
I gritted my teeth and began to open my mouth to reply, but he swept me into his arms off the ground before I had a chance. He smiled as he held me bridal style, the corners of his mouth gently teasing me.
“I’ll just have to be your strength then,” he whispered.
He carried me to the bed, sitting me down on it and standing over me with a smirk. When he turned his head away, I noticed the blood dripping from his elbow to his wrist. I reached out and grabbed his shirt.
“You’re bleeding,” I said.
Adrian followed my eyes to his cuts and shrugged. “I guess we’re even then.”
I pulled him back and rolled up his sleeve, finding the source of the cut at his bicep.
“How did you get cut?” I asked.
“Not sure. A lot was happening.” He laughed. “Why do you look so worried? I’ve been sliced deeper than this.”
I looked to his nightstand, reaching for the wrap bandage there. I had been using it for my blisters from Henrik’s sword training, but now it had a different purpose.
I pulled hard on Adrian’s arm to make him sit next to me. He grunted.
“I’m fine, princess…”
“Shut up before I change my mind.”
I wrapped his arm, ignoring how strong his gaze on me was. The soft sound of the air going in and out of his chest made my heart pound, wondering what words he was conjuring.
“What’s gotten into you?” he asked. “You refuse to even stand in the same room as me if you can help it. Suddenly, you want to tend my wounds? What’s the game?”
I scoffed, sealing the wrap. “No game. I was only trying to help.”
“Why? Because of my brother?”
I looked at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play the fool, princess. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The way you’re always together.” He nearly growled it as he said it. “Are you trying to be nice to me to gain his affections?”
I laughed in his face. “First you accuse me of being too close to Luc, and now Henrik? Honestly, Captain, if I wantedHenrik’saffections, I wouldn’t need to be nice toyou. This is only kindness. You’d know that if you’d ever try being a decent person.”
He pinched my chin, bringing my face up to meet his. He was closer than he should have been, his breath fanning my lips in a way that made my lungs freeze. His eyes drifted over my face before he gave a pained smile.
“I hate how innocent you are,” he whispered. “It makes me feel like a demon.”
He let go, pulling back. I exhaled, swallowing my heartbeat.
“Besides, you already have a suitor, don’t you?” he asked as I finished up the dressing. “That tall, honorable-looking creature that met us on the balcony?”
“I don’t have a suitor,” I countered. “I have a—”
I stopped. Adrian raised an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to continue. I swallowed my words.
“Don’t tell me…” Adrian said, showing his teeth as he gritted them together. “You’re betrothed?”
