Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,32

major roads. I expect you to protect her at every turn.”

“I will,” he promised.

“That means her heart as well.”

“I understand.”

When I awoke, Liam was sleeping in a chair next to my bed. His arm stretched out awkwardly, hand resting on the top of my head to keep contact. His head drooped sideways, and I heard the soft snores. He must have waited until I was asleep before moving to the chair and giving us a proper distance. The sun wasn’t even up yet, and at home I would already be up doing chores.

I sat up and his hand fell from my head. Liam woke, his green eyes locking onto mine.

Not good. She looks like she’s about ready to crumble. I didn’t help her at all.

I blinked and pulled the blanket up to my chin. “Don’t worry, I won’t break. And yes, you helped last night.”

“Sorry,” Liam mumbled. “I wasn’t thinking. It wasn’t what it sounded like.”

“Actually, you were thinking. That’s the problem. Often, our thoughts are more truthful than our lips.” I stood up, wrapping the blanket around my body. “Thank you for watching over me last night. But I think I can handle getting dressed without a nanny.”

“All right.” He stood, his arms reaching for the sky, the muscles stretching across his chest. He ran his hands through his hair to wake himself up and then headed for the door, stopping within the doorway. “I’m right next door if you need me.”

“I won’t.”

“But if you do.”

“Go,” I snapped irritably. “I won’t do anything stupid in the next candle mark, but after that I make no promises.” I shrugged.

Eden must have had someone watching for us to stir because servants instantly set upon us and ushered me to a bathing room, where there was a hot tub waiting for me. I thoroughly washed my hair and scrubbed my body and fingers raw. Using soap on the cuts on my feet.

Eden had found very simpleminded servants, for their thoughts were silent. They held up various dresses, but I pointed to one similar in style that Liam had bought me in red, the color of his cloak. I picked out one extra traveling dress and a pair of boys pants and a long-sleeve blouse. It was daring and exciting, but I could get it all into a pack. We were traveling light and swift, so they supplied me with the basic essentials.

A knock came to my door as I sat at the vanity and finished pulling back the sides of my hair into two braids that fell down my back.

“Enter.”

Liam swooped in and hovered over my chair. “How are you feeling? Was I gone too long?”

“I’m fine.”

“Liar.” He pointed to my forehead. “This right here scrunches up when you are trying to fight off the pain.”

I swatted at his hand. “I hate to leave my sister so soon, but the sooner we leave the better I’ll feel.”

Dorian knocked, and since the door was already open, he let himself in. “I wanted to make sure you’re properly outfitted.”

“I am, and thank you.” I stood showing off, letting the red dress swirl, and then pointed to my full pack on the bed.

“Nonsense, a lady is never properly dressed without a weapon.” He snapped his fingers and in came a servant, their arms full of weapons and swords, and he spread them out on my bed. “Choose one to serve you well.”

Liam grumbled. “She doesn’t need a weapon, she has me.”

“And that’s precisely why she needs a weapon.” Dorian picked up a sheathed knife. “This one has a thigh strap that hides under your skirt, or we have one that you can tuck into your bodice, or how about a push knife?”

My cheeks flushed red. “I’m not comfortable with weapons.” Reflecting back on when I attempted to and failed to take a life to save my sister.

“You fool,” Liam teased Dorian. “You expect an empath to hurt someone? You might as well ask them to stab themselves.”

Dorian glowered, his voice lowering. “Yet, you are taking my sister-in-law into dangerous territory unarmed. She may not want to injure someone, but she can learn to defend herself.” He reached for a tube with a golden emblem on the side and tossed it to me. I was surprised and let it clatter to the floor before scrambling to pick it up.

“Press the button.” He pointed to the gold plate. I did, and it slid out into a long staff. “Portable, and great for keeping animals and people”—he shot