Page 100 of Echoes of the Raven
“Puta madre, Rífíor. I’m not walking anywhere until you—”
“This will be done on my terms,” he says categorically.
We stare at each other, his dark eyes holding the resolve of who knows how many years of stubbornness. I know I’ll never win.
Defeated, I take his arm, and with his help, stand. As I stretch to my full height, my bones creak, and every inch of my body hurts. I think this is how Nana must feel, her joints ready to split in two at the slightest movement.
My legs tremble as I try to look stoic, but I don’t fool him. He turns and wraps an arm around my waist, offering me the support I need—in truth, bearing most of my weight. He guides me to the other side of the room, then back again. It only takes a few steps, but I’m utterly spent, catching my breath as if I’m not accustomed to exertion.
“One more time,” he says.
I don’t feel as if I can possibly take another step, but I won’t let him use my lack of effort as an excuse not to talk, so I turn and, gritting my teeth, do it one more time. Once back, I’m ready to collapse on the bed, but he doesn’t allow it. Instead, he practically picks me up and deposits me on the chair.
“There,” he says. “That should give the housekeeper time to change the sheets.” He heads for the door.
“Where are you going now? How many excuses are you going to come up with to postpone the inevitable?”
He glances back over his shoulder, one eyebrow arched. “My excuses got you this far, didn’t they?”
Bastardo!I try to make a flourish with my hand to let him know he has won, but I’m so weak, the effort is wasted since it looks as if I’m waving at imaginary flies.
He’s gone and back in under a minute. As he waits for the housekeeper, he stands in the corner, arms folded over his chest, one foot crossed over the other.
“I never imagined you to be such a… dedicated caregiver,” I say sarcastically.
He doesn’t take the bait. He just continues to stand there with his corpse-like expression, the same one I grew familiar with when he played his role of royal guard.
A moment later a friendly, heavyset woman comes in, followed by a younger girl.
“I’m so glad to see you so recovered,” she says as the girl begins working on the bed, quiet and demure. “We thought we would lose you.”
We? I glanced questioningly at Rífíor.
“Francisca was very helpful last night,” Rífíor says, “and I have no doubt her generous efforts played a big part in your survival?”
“Oh,” I manage. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank him.” She hooks a finger toward Rífíor. “You were near death when he burst in here. It was late, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer from my stubborn husband and convinced him to fetch the healer. After Thoran took care of you, this one wouldn’t leave your side.” She smiles at Rífíor. “You found you a good one, girl. Hold on to him.”
Rífíor stares at the floor, and I find myself suddenly fascinated by the rafters overhead.
“But never mind all that.” Francisca bats at the air. “You will be right as rain soon. Thoran’s espiritu is still at work.” He turns to the girl. “Almost done? By the way, this is my daughter, Lina.”
I incline my head. “Nice to meet you, Lina.”
The girl blushes as she curtsies, then continues working, smoothing the sheets. They are nice enough people, and it seems I owe them a great deal, but I’m impatient to talk to Rífíor, so I’m glad when Linafinishes the bed at last, and they leave, promising to return with a savory supper that will finish restoring my strength.
“Want to lay back down?” Rífíor asks.
“No, I want to sit here.” I point to the bed. “And you, sit there and fucking get started.”
“Such language, Little Princess.”
“Don’t call me that.” It’s what Bastien called me when he broke my heart.
The smirk on his face dies gradually, swiftly replaced by a stern expression unlike any I’ve seen on him before, which is saying a lot. My own mood shifts, becoming as solemn as his. I fear that whatever he’s about to tell me will be more dire than anything I’ve learned about him so far, which is also saying a great deal.
I steel myself, wondering if the impending revelation will shatter me beyond repair.
