Page 44 of The King's Sword
Evander reached out, taking hold of her hand. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do. You’ve saved me countless times.”
Sabine remained beside him, sitting on the bed, holding his hand. His breathing became steady, and his coloring slowly returned to normal.
The room began to darken. She carefully slid her hand from his and stood. Taking her discarded cloak, she rolled it up and stuck it under the door as Evander had done. After making sure the door was locked, she laid on the other side of the bed, as far away from Evander as possible so she wouldn’t accidentally touch his wound.
Lying there, she watched his chest rise and fall as he slept. At some point, she reached out and took his hand, holding onto it, wanting to comfort him in any way she could.
ChapterSeven
Sabine awoke and glanced outside, spotting thick, dark clouds. Without seeing the sun’s placement in the sky, she had no idea what time of day it was.
Peering over at Evander, she examined his cut. While the wound itself was red, the area around it didn’t look nearly as puffy and swollen as it had yesterday. Relief filled her. And her sewing job wasn’t half bad either.
Smiling, she remained lying there, watching the rise and fall of Evander’s chest. She needed to wake him so they could be on their way. Staying in one place too long wasn’t a great idea. However, he looked so peaceful. She was just about to say his name when he mumbled something. She leaned in closer so she could hear him.
“She said no one could ever love someone like me,” he murmured.
“Evander,” Sabine whispered, trying to rouse him without startling him. That was the last thing she wanted to do to an assassin. He’d probably flip her over or put her in a choke hold.
“So beautiful,” he mumbled. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He sighed. “But it can never be.”
Sabine wondered who he spoke of. While she knew he’d agreed to marry Lottie, she hadn’t asked if he was in love with someone. The mere thought of him having a lover didn’t feel right. Whoever this beautiful woman was who’d told him she couldn’t love him was a fool.
Propping her head on her hand, Sabine examined Evander in greater detail. He really was a handsome man. She didn’t know why she hadn’t seen it before back in Lynk. The curve of his face, his strong jawbone, and his eyes. Even though she couldn’t see his piercing green eyes at the moment, it didn’t mean she couldn’t picture them perfectly in her mind. The way they sparkled when he teased her, the seriousness in them when danger lurked close by.
She allowed herself to look at his body. At his toned shoulders and the curve of his upper arm. The slight dusting of freckles on his skin especially near his elbows. Her hand reached out of its own accord, tracing a line from his shoulder down to his hand. He was the opposite of Rainer in a lot of ways, and she found that appealing.
Evander mumbled something incoherent.
Scooting closer to him, Sabine gently pressed her stomach against his arm and placed the palm of her hand on his chest, not wanting to startle him and wind up dead. “Evander, it’s time to get up.” She gently patted his chest.
He reached up, wrapping his fingers around her hand. Peeling his eyes open, he peered over at her. “Morning,” he said with a small smile, his voice gravelly. “I haven’t slept that well in a long time.”
“It’s probably from the medicine.” Speaking of which, she needed to give him the second dose.
“And here I thought it was because of you,” he teased. He slowly sat up and examined his wound. “Not bad.” He reached for the basket of medicine beside the bed.
“I’ll get that for you.” She sat up.
“I can do it.” He lifted the vial and ingested the rest of the medicine. Then he spread the gooey substance over his cut. “Looks like it’s already healing.”
“I’m so sorry I stabbed you. I really meant to throw the knife at the assassin.” She covered her face with her hands. The entire ordeal had happened so quickly. Next time, she’d have to be more careful. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be a next time. She dropped her hands and looked at him to see if he believed her.
“I know it wasn’t your fault,” he replied. “I’m just embarrassed you had to help me back here and sew me shut.” He ran a hand through his messy hair.
He was kind of adorable in the morning. Sabine found herself wanting to run her hands through his hair, too.
Evander swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“Are you able to stand?” She hurried and got out of bed in case he needed her help.
“I’m fine. I could use some food, but other than that, I’m good.” He stood and stretched. “We need to be on our way. It’s only a matter of time until someone else finds us here.”
Trying not to stare at his sleek back, Sabine went over to their bags and put them on the bed. “I’m assuming you’ll want a clean shirt.” Her face warmed just thinking about how she’d torn off his shirt last night.
“Yes, thank you. Whatever is on top will be fine.”
