Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,18
sudden clash of thunder made me jump in surprise. The downfall of rain that came pouring down after had me scrambling for the nearest outcropping of trees.
I glared at him, the rain dripping from my hair and down my neck. I shivered from the chill. “I already do.”
Chapter Seven
We traveled through the woods, my barefooted pace slower than Liam’s. Each time I stepped on a twig I muffled my cry to hide my pain. There was nothing to be done. I was the one that had scared off our horse. I had Liam’s cloak, so at least I was drier than him. He walked with his head held high against the pouring rain that showed no sign of stopping.
We hadn’t crossed another person, path, or trail, and I had all but given up on ever being warm again. Then we came to a river, and I balked at crossing. With the onslaught of the rain, the current had picked up speed, and it was impossible to tell how deep it really was. I scanned the banks, looking for a footbridge or shallower area to cross.
Liam went to the water’s edge and turned to face me, his hands extended.
“Allow me.” He smiled reassuringly. It’s my duty to help her. Nothing more.
His thoughts caught me by surprise. He had been so silent that I thought maybe he was broken. But it was the seriousness of his thoughts that irked me.
“No,” I snapped. “I can do it myself.” I gathered my nightdress and lifted it above my knees, exposing my soft pale skin. My cheeks warmed in embarrassment, but it was this or allow him to carry me across the river.
No, this was an acceptable alternative.
The rain still pelted my face as I stepped into the water. The cold water stung my feet, but the pain ebbed as the water soothed the cuts on my soles. I took a few tentative steps and was fairly certain the water wouldn’t reach higher than my knees. Liam didn’t take off his boots but waded into the water with me.
Each step I took with a purpose, testing the rocks beneath me for stability, but I slipped on moss and almost went down. I flung out my arms to balance myself and my nightdress dropped into the water. I gritted my teeth in frustration.
“Stupid,” I muttered. Liam’s hand reached for mine and I swatted it away. “I got it.” As I continued, I took a step. The river deepened unexpectedly, I lost my balance and slipped under the water. A biting cold slapped my face as water surged into my nose and mouth. I came up sputtering. I stretched, my feet found purchase on the riverbed and I stood, the water reaching my chest.
I pushed my hair out of my face and without warning. Liam scooped me up in his arms. He carried me the rest of the way across the river and up the embankment.
My teeth chattered loudly as I pressed against his chest. “You can put me down. I can walk.”
“No.” His jaw muscle tensed, showing his irritation.
“I insist,” I said.
“Then I will have to deny your request.” She’s too slow. We need to find shelter before we get sick.
I had another retort coming, but it fell on my lips. I hung my head in shame. It wasn’t my fault I didn’t have shoes or proper attire. But I wasn’t purposely holding him back. I went limp and decided to let him carry me. I would just think of him like a pack mule.
A stubborn pack mule.
I held back a wry smile and shivered. The cloak, fully soaked with water, didn’t help me stay warm. We walked for a while, and I was trying to hold back my shivering.
I need to find shelter soon.
As exhausted as I was, Liam was right. I closed my eyes and listened to the surrounding animals. All of them curled up for the night, safe from the storm.
“Up ahead, to the left of the evergreen tree,” I whispered. “There’s a small cave where we can take refuge.”
“How do you know this?”
“I just do,” I said irritably, and I was never the irritable one. When we made it to the shelter, he put me down. My feet almost gave out from under me as the pins and needles raced back, bringing feeling. The cuts scraped anew. I limped forward, my hands reaching out into the darkness.
“Wait. What if there are animals in there?” Liam unsheathed his sword.