Page 131 of Bride of Ice
That was unwise.
“Shouldn’t ye be seein’ your cousin to her marriage bed?”
She waved away his concern. “She’s been there before.”
Before he could stop her, she pushed past him into the room, then half sank, half collapsed to perch on the edge of his bed.
He gripped the edge of the door in indecision, not sure which would be worse. Leaving it open or closed.
She sighed. “I wanted to tell you how much I’ve missed you.” She ran her fingers lovingly over the carved wooden post at the corner of the bed.
He wanted to tell her he missed her too. But he knew better. Hewasn’thalf-drunk.
“I think ye should go,” he decided. “The others will be lookin’ for ye.”
“Nah.” She shook her head. “I told them I had to piss.”
His mouth twitched. “Do ye?”
“Do I what?”
“Have to piss?”
She gave him a sloppy grin. “Nay.”
Hell, even drunk off her arse and stumbling on her feet, Hallie had the power to tug at his heart. It grieved him to think of leaving her. But remaining would be even worse. And every moment of delay only increased his pain.
“Let’s get ye back then,” he beckoned. “I’ll help ye.”
She smiled and came to her feet. Too fast. She took a dizzy few steps toward him and staggered.
He caught her upper arms to steady her.
She placed her hands against his chest for balance.
“That honey mead is strong,” she said, looking up at him with a sheepish grin.
He gulped. Her eyes were glazed with a dangerous combination of lust and liquor.
“Too strong,” he agreed.
Then her gaze slipped sideways. She frowned in dismay as she saw his armor and satchel beside the bed. “What’s this?”
He furrowed his brow. “I’m…goin’.” This was exactly the kind of confrontation he’d hoped to avoid by stealing away.
“Going? Where?”
He shrugged. “Away.”
“But you don’t have to go now. Your clan is staying at Creagor.”
“There’s naught for me here,” he said with a sniff. “Not now.”
“I see.” Though she tried to maintain her cool stoicism, the mead took a toll on her control. Her chin trembled. “When will you depart?”
“Tonight.”
“So soon?”
