Page 82 of Ella’s Desire

Either way, it was not worth the risk. He would have to wait until they were safe before they stopped, to know they weren’t being chased. For those reivers on their rugged little hobblers would easily catch them, and then they would surely all be dead.

They needed to stop, but they also needed to ride and the two warred in Ella’s mind as they rode onward, skirting the first village they saw. Her right sleeve was wet, presumably with Bronson’s blood. The low grunts he had issued from time to time had ceased and he swayed uneasily in front of her.

Ella steered Kipper in the direction of the forest. Periodic glances behind them confirmed they had not been chased, by some miracle. Still, she would not take any chances.

They slowed their horses as they entered the forest and went in deep, where they would not be seen. With Ella and Bronson both covered in blood, they would arouse suspicion regardless of who they might cross.

Ella pulled Kipper to a stop. “Hold tight to his mane.”

She guided Bronson’s hands to her horse’s black mane. His hands were purplish red with blood in the moonlight, but he gripped as she bade.

She slid from Kipper’s back and helped Bronson to the ground. Even with her assistance, he landed hard, wobbled, and started to pitch forward.

Ella caught him with the full weight of her body to keep from being knocked down herself. Carefully, she eased him to the ground as Leila knelt at his side.

“Is he going to die?” Lark whispered.

“I need his gambeson unfastened,” Leila said, then turned to Lark. “I won’t let that happen.”

Lark nodded.

“He will not die on my behalf.” Tears welled in Leila’s eyes.

Ella worked to unfasten his gambeson. It was then she understood why Leila had looked so guilty at the tower. She had foreseen what Bronson would most likely do. Of course, it would not have been the time to mention it, not when they needed to be positive in their hopes of escape, rather than dreading one of their own falling.

Except Ella’s fears were not so easily calmed as Lark’s. She had seen the look on Leila’s face then, and she saw the determination there now. It was not that she knew Bronson would not die, it was only that she would do all in her power to keep it from happening.

Ella pulled opened the gambeson and slid up Bronson’s shirt. His entire torso was stained with blood. Her heart sank deep into her stomach. Too much blood.

“Lark,” Bronson said. “We need to leave now. To go get her.”

His confusion rattled at Ella’s nerves. This was not normal for a man who always remembered every word of every conversation. “She’s here,” Ella said.

“Hold still.” Leila pressed her fingers against the wound.

“Have to save her—” He gave a groan of pain.

Lark sank to Bronson’s side and took his hand. “I’m here.”

“Lark.” His eyes closed. “Thanks be to God, you are safe.”

Ella stood over them all, helpless, as one girl comforted Bronson and another saw to his wounds. His skin was pale compared to that of his sister. Far too pale. And he’d lost far too much blood. Tension knotted at the back of her throat.

“I need fabric to bind the wound.” Leila pulled her dagger free even as she spoke and jerked it through the hem of her kirtle. “Help me lift him.”

Ella rushed to comply, eager to assist in any way. Bronson’s muscles flexed under her hands as he tried to lift his body. “I have you,” Ella said.

Leila moved quickly, her dexterity on the battlefield transferring perfectly to her healing, as she bound the wound. She pulled the fabric and tied it tightly. Bronson hissed out a hard breath that cut into Ella’s heart.

“To the horses now.” Leila looked solemnly up at Ella. “We must return to the castle as quickly as possible. Isla needs to see to him.”

Ella’s chest squeezed at the implication of what was not said. If they did not return soon—if he did not see a healer—Bronson would die.

Never again would she see that charming smile of his, laugh at his attempts at poetry or be held in the safety of his arms. She would never have the opportunity to accept the marriage she had pushed away for so long.

Now, as things were falling apart, she knew their union was exactly what she wanted.

Ella helped Bronson stand. “We need to get you on the horse, but I cannot do it alone.”