Page 43 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Did you mean what you told the onaán?” I racked my brain, trying to remember what I’d said to it when I thought I was talking to Rainier. I couldn’t remember much of anything that was done in the moments before I passed out, let alone what was said. Everything from the encounter was so jumbled. I was glad in the moment, sure that whatever I’d said wasn’t something I would’ve wanted him to hear.

“I don’t remember. Everything is such a blur.” I wondered if he saw it grab my ass. Considering he heard me speak to it, I thought the odds were good.

“Never mind, it doesn’t matter.” His body relaxed slightly, his arm loosening around my waist. “I do have to ask; how did it manage to seduce you? Onaán can’t speak, not without giving up their ruse. Am I so alluring, Emmeline?” I felt my face flush in embarrassment, and the mischief in his voice did something to me I wanted to ignore.

“Maybe that in itself was the allure. He looked like you but didn’t speak.” I didn’t want to admit every part of me had wanted him in the moment, even if I fought it. He barked out a laugh, and I felt his body shake behind me. I pushed farther into him, his presence warm and comforting. He leaned down a bit, putting his mouth right next to my ear.

“Well, Highclere, the next time you want me to be quiet and kiss you, just tell me. I’ll even bite your neck if you want.”

A flash of heat tore through me, and I willed myself not to react, choosing not to reply to him. I was sure he heard my sharp exhalation of breath before I gained control of my reaction, but he didn’t say anything, thankfully. The confidence of his statement made me start to wonder. He was handsome and the Crown Prince, so I was sure he could have and would have been with other women since the last time I saw him, but part of me bristled with annoyance. I’d only been with Faxon, and it was years ago, and not out of any real desire. I couldn’t even think of the last time I wanted to be around a man, let alone have one kiss me. And yet, I’d wanted that from him just hours ago. It had to be an omen: the one time I’d felt anything close to desire in all these years, and I’d nearly died because of it. Feeling a tinge of possessive jealousy made me decide to chew on one of the leaves Lavenia gave me and try to sleep. If I didn’t, I was worried about what stupid things I might say. When I gagged at the taste—a mixture of cherry, mint, and lavender—Rainier chuckled, and the sound melted down my spine.

“They don’t taste great, but they definitely work. Are you comfortable? I suspect you’ll sleep for a while.” I nodded as I scooted farther into his hold, head tilted back. As I drifted off, I swore I felt him kiss the top of my head.

Itwasclosetodusk when I woke, and it was significantly louder, voices surrounding me. I sat up in a start, eyes wide, hand going to my dagger. Rainier’s arm squeezed around me.

“Easy, killer.” A low chuckle vibrated against my back. I looked around, forgetting my wound and wincing, and I realized we were surrounded by his guard. My neck began to throb—more sore now than it was before.

“They ran into a little trouble in the Whispering Wood. A tírrúil attack—a lone female.” Contrary to the onaán, I knew tírrúil existed. They were a certain type of wolf, especially large and especially deadly.

“Was anyone hurt?”

“She took down one of the pack horses, and one of my younger men broke his arm. They set it in the field, and Lavenia took a look at it, he’ll be alright.”

“Why didn’t you wake me? Help me down. Let me see him.” I pulled his arm off me.

“Em, stop, you’re too weak. You can check on him when we make camp, we’re stopping soon.”

I didn’t like being told my limitations. “I’m fine. I’m not going to let someone suffer longer than they need to. I’m awake now, let me fix him.” When he didn’t lift his arm from me and showed no signs of listening to me, I decided a different approach might be necessary. “Please, Rain. They’re all here because of me.” I felt him still before he exhaled quickly.

“Fine.” Rainier let out a sharp whistle and pulled us to the side of the group, turning his horse toward the end of it. “Dickey, where are you?” Rainier called out, trying to find the injured soldier.

“Here, Your Highness.” A voice from the back of the group called out, hidden behind the pack animals and wagon. I was shocked when everyone else surpassed him, and the boy was revealed. He couldn’t have been much older than Elora. His bright red hair and freckles across his face reminded me of Mairin. Why did Rainier have someone so young in his guard?

“Hop down, Dickey. Lady Emmeline wants to inspect the break.” Rainier’s arm was still around me, and I pulled it off, making to get down. “Would you be patient?” He huffed at me, annoyed. He jumped down, lithe as always, before grabbing me by the waist and putting me down on the ground in front of him like it was nothing. I felt dizzy and grabbed his arm for support. “See, this is why I wanted to wait. You need to rest.”

“The longer I wait, the longer Dickey, here, is in needless pain. Besides, I can just go right back to sleep when I’m done.” Dickey smiled at me when I mentioned his name, but I noticed the wince when he got off his horse and his arm jolted from the movement.

“Sit down at least, so he doesn’t have to catch you when you pass out.” I heard Dewalt’s drawl before I saw him, ambling toward us on his own horse, no doubt wanting to see what we were doing. I knew he was joking, but it wasn’t the worst idea he’d ever had. I threw my middle finger up at him as I delicately sat down. Rainier laughed, and I was happy, hoping to get rid of his annoyance. I motioned for Dickey to sit down across from me.

“Take the sling off him, Rain.” Dickey gaped at me in shock and something verging on horror. “What? Does it hurt that bad?” Rainier did as I asked, gently lowering the boy’s arm so the broken limb rested in his lap.

“No, I just—You were so informal.” The boy hissed the last part of it, peering at Rainier as he walked back to stand next to me.

“Our friendship goes far back, Dickey. Don’t worry, he won’t have my head over it.”

“Don’t be so sure,” the prince retorted.

I couldn’t contain my grin as I examined Dickey’s arm. There was definitely a break, close to the elbow, but considering it was a tírrúil attack, I was shocked he didn’t have any abrasions. “What happened?” The boy's cheeks reddened.

“The horse I was on spooked. We both fell, and the horse landed on top.”

“And you weren’t attacked? You were easy pickings.”

“It was occupied with the packhorse.” I remembered with a start how they intended to bring Bree to me. I hadn’t been looking for her when we waited for the guard to pass, but I didn’t remember seeing her.

“Rainier, where’s my horse?” I felt my voice rising in pitch as I began to worry. I tried to keep myself occupied and began to work on Dickey, pushing his arm into the most conducive position for healing.

“I’ll find her.” Rainier jumped back onto his horse and rode off, leaving Dewalt to help me if I needed it. I rubbed my hands together and placed them on Dickey’s arm, feeling the heat pouring into his wound. It took more concentration than it normally did, only because I was tired. I could feel the bones mending, and, by the grimace on Dickey’s face, he could too.

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