Page 34 of Arrows and Gems
“I had nothing to do with that,” she ground out, spearing him with a glare as she worked the leather free. “I admit I was looking for you, but I’d been riding around Amitié for three weeks hoping to find you.”
Le Capuchon stared at her, not even keeping the edge of his hood toward her as she strapped on her sheath. “Why?”
Glancing up, she was annoyed to discover that the filtered sunlight cast most of his face in shadow. “Good question. It was my goal when I left home, but clearly I should have reevaluated.”
“Was home so bad? Living as an outlaw would be better?”
Her spine stiffened as she charged around to the other side of his horse. She neither wanted nor needed the compassion in his voice. “I want my bow.”
The horse’s jingling bridle was louder than Le Capuchon’s footsteps, but Helena knew he followed her. She could practically feel his desire to help her free her bow from the saddle. Instead, he stood quietly behind her, his hand hovering in her peripheral vision while she struggled to untie it with one hand.
She tried leaning against Farrell, but the horse sidestepped, almost toppling her. Grumbling under her breath, she set her right foot carefully on the ground, leaned the cane against her bent knee, and pulled her gloves off.
“Would you like me to—”
“I don’t need to be rescued.”
The rough rope dug into her fingers as she worked on the knot. He’d ensured her bow wouldn’t be lost along the way – she’d give him that.
It finally came loose, and she tucked her unstrung bow into its sheath with a sigh of relief. Stuffing her cold fingers back into her gloves, she turned to find him closer than she’d expected.
“Since you’re here, would you like to ride?” he asked politely. “If you think you can manage it with your ankle.”
She glared at him. “I don’t need—”
“At our current pace, we won’t reach the others tonight,” he calmly interrupted, looking over his shoulder at the empty forest ahead of them.
“Afraid I’ll steal your arrows while you sleep?” she smirked.
Le Capuchon faced her again. “You don’t have a tent, and I only have mine. And you’re not sleeping without shelter.”
Crossing her arms, she looked away to hide her blush. “So you’re saying I would be helping myself? Or are you concerned about your sterling outlaw reputation?”
“If you can’t ride, Margit, we’ll make it work.” He took a step back and patted the horse’s neck. “But I think we’ll both be happier if we make camp with the others.”
Helena fidgeted under his gaze. She would rather share a tent with Rouge than with any man, but it went against every fiber of her being to admit she couldn’t do something. Instead, she changed the subject.
“Why don’t you ride him? Wouldn’t it be faster if you used your horses during the move?”
He shifted away. “They are not pack animals. And I do not want my people to become dependent on animals we will not always have.”
“But why don’tyouride?” she pressed. “You’re the leader; shouldn’t you ride while you have the ability?”
“Not when my people can’t.” Gesturing to the horse, he continued, “But while we have them, those who need the assistance do ride. Perhaps if I lift you from the right?” His hand wavered before dropping to his side. “My...shoulders could provide balance while you swing your left leg over.”
Was that uncertainty she heard in his voice?
Softened by his vulnerability, Helena admitted, “I couldsit, but I don’t think I can direct him efficiently. I’ll only be able to use the reins.”
“I’ll keep the reins. Sitting will be sufficient.” His hand twitched toward her as if to offer support, but then he dropped it and walked away.
Helena trailed behind him with mixed feelings. Riding would be a relief, but she didn’t want his help. She didn’t want him to touch her.
But at the same time, she did.
CHAPTER 14
Helena
