Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,44
that knowledge did was worry me more.
The gates stood open when we approached, and I led us right in. I heard the gates lock behind us as we raced through the empty city toward the castle door. Two men were waiting at the castle entrance. Nathaniel had already run in to find Charlotte and Liam. I jumped down and carefully took Ainsley in my arms.
“I can walk,” she argued.
“Maybe, but I can easily carry you.”
“Your ribs are broken.”
“Not a big deal.”
“My ankle isn’t a big deal either. Put me down.” She squirmed against me.
I carefully set her down. “Funny way of showing you were concerned about my ribs.”
“Sorry.” Her forehead furrowed.
“Please don’t apologize. But lean on me if you need to.”
“I plan to.” She looped her arm through mine.
I made it two steps of watching her wince before I made a move to pick her up again.
She fought against me. “No. If I am going into a castle, I will do it walking.”
“Oh yeah? Is this something you have planned out before?”
She laughed as we stepped inside. “Of course. I always knew it would happen.”
“James, what’s going on?” Charlotte met us in the great hall. Then her eyes set on Ainsley. “Oh. Hi.”
Ainsley tried to straighten up.
I kept a firm hold on her to keep her standing upright. “Hey Char, this is Ainsley.”
“I assumed that much.” Charlotte walked closer and held out her hand. “I’m Charlotte, welcome.”
“Hi.” Ainsley nervously accepted her handshake. “Sorry to barge in on you like this.”
Charlotte laughed. “My guess is the barging was not your choice.”
Ainsley nodded. “Not at all.”
“Ok, so we established that I am the one who brought us here. I will explain everything, but first I want someone to look at Ainsley’s ankle.”
“My ankle can wait.” Ainsley stepped away from me. She winced.
I pulled her back against my side so she would not put so much weight on her injury. The action shifted my ribs making me wince.
“He needs to wrap up his ribs.”
Charlotte smiled. “What a pair you two are.”
“We ran into some trouble near Rawlins.” I chose my words carefully.
“Near Rawlins? Nathaniel didn’t say that.” Charlotte’s eyes got bigger. Her first Gerard had been from there. He was Nathaniel’s older brother.
“Don’t worry. Everyone there is fine.”
She nodded. “Good.”
“Ok, so how about taking care of Ainsley’s ankle?”
Ainsley shook her head. “James, drop it. I need to sit. We can worry about it later.”
“Sorry I am only getting here now!” Liam ran through the front door.
“Liam, this is Ainsley. Ainsley, this is Charlotte’s husband, Liam.”
Understanding crossed her face. “Debbie’s son.”
“You’ve met my mom?” Liam smiled. “How is she?”
“Excited about your news.”
Liam smiled. “I bet. She’s been asking for grandchildren for years.”
“But you guys are pretty young.” Charlotte was close to James’ age, which meant her mid-twenties.
“Oh, we know.” Charlotte smiled. “We need to get Ainsley off her ankle.”
“You’ve been with the girl a couple of days, and she’s already injured?” Liam raised an eyebrow.
“It wasn’t his fault.” Ainsley seemed to be struggling to keep her voice even. “I ran away from him and hid. I was found by some less than friendly men.”
“Did they hurt you?” Liam walked toward her. My body stiffened. I did not want any man near her.
She shook her head. “No. James took care of them, but I twisted my ankle when running from them.”
“Took care of meaning they are no longer a concern?” Liam looked at me closely.
“Yes. I will need to do some clean up tomorrow.”
“We’ll have someone else do that.” Charlotte straightened up. “My guess is you will be needed here.”
“If you’re sure.” I was in no rush to leave Ainsley’s side, so Charlotte’s plan was fine with me.
“I need to hear everything. Think you can make it a little further into the sitting room?” Charlotte asked.
“She can.” I lifted her up in my arms again.
“James! I can walk.” She struggled against me.
“Stop squirming.” I walked quickly through the castle halls and laid her down on the couch in the sitting room. I sat down next to her and put her legs on my lap. She moved, placing her feet on the ground. I pulled her legs back. She needed to keep her ankle elevated.
“Will you be okay to talk for a little while?” Charlotte took a seat on a chair across from us. “I know your ankle hurts.” She looked remorseful as she eyed Ainsley’s ankle. I was sure she wanted to heal the injury, but she had to restrain herself. If she acted on