The trip to Muir had taken almost a week.
It was the first time after a week she was fully lucid. That had been the comment she'd heard. That was surprising. She didn't remember being in that bed for so long. The memories were rather vague. She didn't remember exactly how she got there either.
Sitting on the bed, Kassuim couldn't see the cabin around her. There was no furniture, only Zagorra's face, very pale and tight with pain. He was dying. Blood oozed from the bullet wound.
That day she had been part of a boarding party for the schooner heading for Gazarra. She had taken part in a group of seventy men with Zagorra. Cornor commanded the Tomorrow Star in Thalagar's absence. The attack on the gipsies' village... Rick's arrest... She watched the old guard pick up arquebuses and muskets from the powder. And his scolding looks as he saw her participate in yet another attack. Nothing else mattered to her other than releasing her husband.
Zagorra was not a fool. He was suspicious. He increasingly insisted that she look for the captain of Gaia. She had managed to hide some sordid details. The African watched her in exasperation. He knew the girl was aboard that forced ship. He'd found out during a terrible argument between her and Thalagar. She had practically begged the old man. It was clear that Philip Morgan would never understand. An unfortunate, treacherous and ambitious wolf.
The attack on the village at the end had been an ambush. Cornor was a traitor, but Valerius was much worse. She watched in amazement at the black robes of those men. The noise of combat echoed in her ears. Unintentionally, the sight of the battlefield with men loyal and known to her flashed before her eyes. murdered.
She felt as if she had been sitting there a lifetime. She was aboard the Gaia. And worst of all, that was the captain's cabin. Thalagar would not tolerate this without reprisals. She was in terrible trouble. She needed to stay away from Philip Morgan or he would tell. But another question scared her even more. chabone. They were in Chabone again. If those vows were valid that man was her husband. For weeks she had avoided him. It was surprising how fate spun its webs.
Would he have recognized her? God, that unsettled her. The chain with the ring she kept was gone along with her light stone. Oh, surely he had discovered that she was not a boy. That wound had been cauterized. He had probably tended to her injuries. God, and he would have seen the whip marks on her back, too. She didn't know what to do.
She opened her eyes, clearly hearing the footsteps approaching down the hall. She took a deep breath as she rose to her feet, ignoring the dizziness. The last thing she would do was show weakness in front of that man. As soon as she got to Muir she would be gone. And she would never see him again.
There was a rattle of a key in the lock that made her heart race. And before she could even decide what to do, he was there.
Kassuim struggled to control all the emotions that the sight of that man was capable of arousing. He was tired, yet his features were strained. Why, it wasn't hot enough for him to just put on his pants, making her wonder what he was doing.
A sudden tremor in the woodwork surprised her. Had they dropped anchor?
He put the glass flashlight on the table and moved to face her. She was cautious. How many days were there? Who had taken her clothes? Thank God she'd gotten clean, new clothes from Adam.
His dark gaze was serious and determined as he crossed his arms, making her stomach knot. She wasn't scared. It was clear he was going to ask questions.
And something in Kassuim weakened because she knew that despite everything she couldn't keep her distance. Desperation enveloped her. She swallowed, wetting her mouth.
Richard Morgan noticed all those miserable details. He watched her irritating wariness as she studied him as if he were an angry enemy. She naturally didn't remember because of the damn wolf weed. He also noticed the woman for a moment abandon her usual position. It wasn't just caution that lit those green eyes. He could smell the fear she felt like an animal.
Afraid of him? Cursing, he pulled out the chair and sat across from her, adjusting the sword that swung to his side. She might not remember, but she was going to end the damn boy charade. It was hell. Adam's clothes. The tightest pants moulded her hips to incredible perfection. If she was imagining that she was going to walk out of that booth dressed like that it was going to be a fight.
-I see that now you woke up. Would you like to explain to me the reason for fleeing the village, knowing that I was injured?
He was direct in the accusations. Kassuim hadn't expected that either. At least not so fast. The situation was a catastrophe. Explain what? His family had pushed her away.
-Like? she asked, feigning calm.
Unconsciously her hand went to her neck. Your Stone of Light? How had he lost his light stone, lord?
-Your father sent Gaia to escort you home, my lady. His tone was murderous now. He'd at least expected her to be more receptive. - I believe you have good reasons. How about explaining the insanity of teasing Cornor? Not to mention the feat of attracting Philip's attention.
horn? That wretch was just a lackey of Thalagar. He was a wretch. Was he going to explain that the damned man was responsible for ensuring she remained aboard the Star? Her eyes widened, petrified. Ah, Will was no doubt suspicious. She was astonished. Damn Philip Morgan.
-Don't you have anything to say? Anything you want to ask?
Her breathing was strained and the blood pounded in her temples. Oh, he had found out. He could pick it up from the anger the man was emanating from. He forced himself to take a deep breath. His eyes… There was impatience and something else. He knew who she was. He was so sure he shivered. All she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms and couldn't. If she did that, it would be the end. Thalagar had threatened her several times and she didn't doubt it.
-No! - the answer was, despite everything, calm. She had the feeling that she was dying inside. She desperately wanted to explain to him. He needed to know the reason why he hadn't come to him. And she couldn't.
The eyes that met hers in the light glowed a deep blue. They looked at each other in silence.