Page 26 of War King's Treasure

“Soldiers aren’t weak,” she argued. “My father was a knight, a soldier. Rory’s father is a soldier.”

“Mmm,” he agreed noncommittally. “Luckily, you’re both married to war kings and will be surrounded by warriors for the rest of your lives.”

She shook her head then laid it against his chest again. They sat in silence for a long time, the sound of his heartbeat lulling her into a light sleep. She wasn’t sure how long she had been out before the sound of someone calling her name tugged her awake. She glanced up at Gavin, but he nodded toward the bed. With her heart in her throat, she turned and found her grandfather’s gaze on her.

“You’re awake. How do you feel?” She shook her head at that question. He’d been shot with an arrow. Did she really expect him to say he was fine? “Do you want a drink? Are you in pain?” She was babbling and couldn’t seem to stop.

“I’m fine.” His voice lacked the strength it usually had, and once again, she found herself thinking he was no longer the larger-than-life figure he’d always played in her life, a man whose mere presence had everyone around him bowing and begging for the opportunity to serve him in any way he needed. She’d watched him with awed eyes as a child. Now, she saw the man behind the crown. The one he could be if he only allowed himself.

“York should be here soon,” Gavin told him.

Phillip nodded. “Thank you. At least, he might not kill me if I’m already knocking on the door.”

“No!” Nori cried. “You said you were fine.”

“I am. Forgive my poor attempt at humor. You look tired, Nori. Why don’t you go rest, now that you can see I’m alright. I’ll rest better knowing you’re taking care of yourself.”

She wanted to argue, but Gavin agreed, lifting her to her feet and standing beside her.

“I’ll be back.” She leaned down and placed a kiss on her grandfather’s cheek.

“I’ll be here,” he promised. “Rest well.”

Gavin took her hand and led her from the room.

“See that a tub and water are brought to our room,” he commanded the warriors in the hall.

“I don’t need—”

“You have blood on your dress,” Gavin interrupted. “We could both use a chance to clean up.”

“What about Robert?”

“Con will let me know when Cris returns.”

He opened the door to the room they were staying in and, with his palm against her back, guided her inside, leaving the door open. He led her to the chair before the fireplace and sat, pulling her back onto his lap. When he wrapped her tightly in his arms again, she realized he was doing it as much for himself as he was for her.

“I’m okay, Gavin.”

He shuddered, dropping his head and breathing her in. She returned the embrace, and neither of them said another word until the tub was in place, steam rising from the water that had been added, and the door was closed, leaving them blessedly alone.

“Let’s get you undressed,” he whispered.

He made quick work of removing her clothes then his own, letting her know he planned to join her. She kept the silence until he was at her back, one palm covering her stomach while the other hand brushed through her hair.

“Gavin?” She sensed he was deep in thought and wondered what pulled him away from her.

“I’m not an easy man, Nori. They call us savages, and there are times when I am that and more.”

She almost turned to face him but felt his hands tighten as if to halt her. She forced her body to relax against him instead. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“I hope that’s true,” he whispered. “At some point, you’re going to see the brute I am, but I need you to know, no matter what you witness, I will never hurt you.”

“I know that,” she promised. They sat in silence for a few moments before Gavin spoke again.

“My father wasn’t a kind man, but he was a saint compared to the man he sent me to train under, Bolton. Bolton liked to play games,” he began. “Theo was sent to him for training before me. I was quiet and skilled at hiding, which was no fun for our father, so Montrose didn’t wait too long before sending his other bastard son for training. He was probably already thinking it would leave Rory unprotected, though I didn’t realize it at the time.”

She placed her hand over his on her belly, lacing their fingers together.

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