Page 73 of A Raven Repents

“No. Not like that. She went to confront her father, and he struck her before Brennan could intervene.”

Fury burned through him. “I will kill the man myself. He will never hurt her again.”

“I know you’re angry. So am I. Nearly uncontrollably so. But he’s still her father, and I’ve given her my word that we will spare his life, at least for now.”

“You may have, but I didn’t.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, you just need to concentrate on healing. If I let go of your arm to go find Christina, are you going to behave yourself? Or do I need to tie this arm back down as well?”

“I’ll behave. I just want to see her.”

He needed to know she was alright, and a part of him wanted to see her reaction to the state of him. Would she be disgusted by him, knowing he was missing an eye?

When Ash left, and Giles was no longer being held down, he wasn’t sure he was actually brave enough to feel his face.

The door opened and Christina rushed to his side. She gripped his hand nearly as hard as Ash had. “You’re awake.”

The right side of her face was red and swollen, and there was a shadow beneath her eye. A jumble of emotions went to battle inside him. The victor seemed to be anger at the man who had hurt her. But he was so relieved she was with him, and safe. Unfortunately, she was also on the verge of tears.

He moved to the far edge of the small bed. “Come here, sweetheart. Lie down with me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she squeezed herself beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her to hold her close. With her fingertip, she traced the stripes of the pajamas over his chest.

“I’m sorry for everything that has happened, Giles.”

“Stop that. None of this is your fault.”

“What do you mean? All of it is my fault.”

“Are you arguing with me?” He slipped his fingers into her hair and held her firmly. “I may be maimed, and restrained, but I am still your husband.”

She was gentle as she claimed his lips, but she hummed softly. “I’ve missed that,” she whispered before returning to his mouth.

The door opened, and quickly closed again. Christina gasped and tried to pull away, but he didn’t let go. “Let me kiss your cheek first.”

She turned and he pressed gentle, loving kisses against her cheek, wishing he could take on her pain.

“Now you may let them in.”

She righted herself and her clothes and hurried to the door.

“I’m sorry to interrupt a private moment,” his cousin said as he stepped into the room.

Giles rolled his eyes… eye. “It was only a kiss, Michael. What are you doing here?”

Christina gave some murmured excuse and left them alone. Probably embarrassed. Michael came around the bed and let out a long sigh when he looked at Giles.

“You should be with Belle.”

“She’s being well looked after.”

“As am I.”

“You’re more than just my heir, Giles. You’ve grown to be like a brother to me. I needed to come down and look you in the…”

Giles raised a brow and watched as the color drained from Michael’s face. Giles chuckled. “That’s going to be an ongoing problem, isn’t it?”

It was a sign of just how concerned Michael was that he didn’t laugh. But Giles didn’t know how else to cope. He was missing an eye. That wasn’t an injury that was going to heal with time.