Page 15 of The Orc's Promised Bride

“Of course.”

The simple statement hit her with unexpected force. No one had cared for her like this since… She pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the gentle way his fingers brushed her hair back from her face as he checked her temperature again.

Half-forgotten memories drifted through her mind - his deep voice murmuring to her as he held water to her lips, his big hands carefully changing her bandages, the cool touch of damp cloth against her burning skin. Even in her fever dreams, when dark memories threatened to overwhelm her, he’d been there, anchoring her to reality.

After she finished drinking, he checked to make sure she could sit on her own, then started to move away. She reached out and caught his free hand.

“Thank you. For everything. I know I must have been a terrible patient, especially during the nightmares…”

“No,” he assured her. “Never. Do you want to talk about them?”

Her stomach clenched.

“I can’t.” She quickly changed the subject. “Why did you help me?”

“You needed help.” He started to add something then hesitated. “Anyone would have done the same,” he said finally but she didn’t think that was what he’d originally intended to say.

“Not everyone would have stayed with me,” she said quietly. “A lot of people turn their back on someone in need.”

As she knew only too well.

Once again she had the impression he wanted to say something, but instead he turned back to the fire, stirring the contents of a large pot.

“You need food. Real food, not just broth this time. The stew will be ready soon. And I need to check your injuries.”

He looked back at her shoulder, her bare shoulder, and she suddenly realized she was completely naked beneath the thin cloak that was wrapped around her. He must have removed the shirt she’d been wearing to care for her during her fever. The thought made her pulse quicken, but it wasn’t from fear.

“I… All right.”

She clutched the cloak tighter as she held out her arm. His hands were gentle as he unwrapped the bandages, his fingers brushing against her skin. The scratches had healed well, leaving only thin red lines.

“These look much better.” His voice was low, almost husky.

He shifted his attention to her ankle, which was still tender and swollen. The cloak slipped slightly as he lifted her foot toexamine it. His thumb pressed carefully along the joint, testing for pain points. The intimate contact sent tingles up her leg and her breath caught as his fingers traced over her skin. She told herself it was just a medical examination, but her body had other ideas.

She looked up to find his eyes fixed on her face, dark with an intensity that made her heart race. The air between them grew thick with unspoken tension. His hand stilled on her ankle, but neither of them looked away.

Heat pooled low in her stomach. This wasn’t just gratitude she was feeling. This was something else entirely. Something she’d never expected to feel. Something that both thrilled and terrified her.Desire.

She shivered, her skin still tingling from the contact, as he cleared his throat and looked away. He reached into his pack and pulled out another shirt, the fabric well-worn but clean.

“Here.” He held it out without looking at her. “The other one’s still drying.”

She took it, the cloth soft against her fingers. But after days of fever and sweat, she felt grimy and uncomfortable.

“Is there somewhere I could wash?”

“The stream is nearby.” He gestured through the trees. “But the water’s mountain-cold.”

Even icy water sounded better than feeling sticky and dirty. It certainly wouldn’t be her first cold bath, but at least it would be her choice this time.

“I don’t care how cold it is. I need to feel clean again.”

“Are you sure? Your fever only just broke.”

“Please.”

He still looked doubtful but he reached down to help her up. Her legs trembled, refusing to hold her weight, and the swollen ankle throbbed. She swayed, catching herself against his arm, and sighed.

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