Page 13 of The Orc's Promised Bride

She bit her lip, but she didn’t object when he scooped her up. He carried her back to the bedroll, then set the pot of heated water at her side and handed her a strip of clean linen.

“If you would care to wash?”

When she gave an abrupt nod, he quickly turned away, focusing on their breakfast and trying to ignore the soft whisper of cloth against skin. He scooped a portion of the porridge into their single bowl, realizing ruefully that he wasn’t equipped for company. But then he’d undertaken this journey in order to be alone.

Despite the uncertainties, this was a far better alternative, he decided and he was smiling again when he turned back to her. To his relief she ate the simple fare eagerly. Her color looked better this morning, though dark circles still ringed her eyes.

“What… what do we do now?” she asked uncertainly when he took the bowl away to wash.

“Nothing. Not until that ankle heals enough for walking.”

“But we can’t just stay here.”

He flashed her his most roguish grin.

“Unless you’d like me to carry you the whole way we can.”

A flash of something he couldn’t read crossed her face before she shrugged and gave him a small smile.

“Then I guess we’re staying put. I suppose there are worse places to heal. It’s peaceful here,” she added softly, watching the morning sunlight filter through the leaves. “Safe.”

The last word came out barely above a whisper as she looked back at him, but it sent warmth spreading through his chest. Did that mean she felt safe with him?

“And once I can walk?”

His pleasure vanished.

“Port Cael.”

“To find someone who can send me back?”

The face that she seemed so certain about returning to her home world made his gut twist.

“Perhaps.”

He had to force the word out. He had no claim on her - he couldn’t ask her to stay.

“You don’t think it’s possible?”

“I… I don’t know. The ways of the gods are strange to us.” Before she could ask any more questions, he returned to her side, kneeling next to her. “I need to check those scratches.”

She only hesitated for a second before she nodded and pushed the sleeve of his borrowed shirt down over her shoulder. The sight sent a jolt through him that he tried desperately to ignore. He had to focus on her injuries, not on the soft gold of her skin or how the morning sunlight caught sparks of red in her dark hair.

His jaw clenched as he unwrapped the bandages and saw the angry red streaks radiating from the wounds. Fuck. The herbal paste hadn’t been enough to prevent the scratches from becoming infected.

“That doesn’t look good,” she said, examining her arm with a critical eye. “I might know something that could help. There is a plant with silver-backed leaves that grows in partial shade. The juice from the stems reduces inflammation. Does that sound familiar?”

“It sounds like silver moonleaf. I think I’ve seen Merow using it.”

“Merow?”

“Our village healer. She knows everything there is to know about plants. I think I passed some yesterday, back towards town. I can fetch it, but-”

He needed to get those herbs, but leaving her alone, even briefly, made his chest tight with anxiety. She wrapped her arms around herself, but she gave him a small determined smile.

“I’ll be fine.”

“I won’t be gone long. The place where I saw it is just beyond that ridge.” He gestured to the rocky outcrop visible through the trees and fought the urge to pull her close. Instead he unstrapped his sword belt and held it out to her. The weapon was nearly as tallas she was. “There is nothing to fear, but perhaps this will make you feel safer.”

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