Vengeance 03 - Believe In Me by Lana Williams

this night !” he declared. The broad smile on his face was contagious. Even Sister Mawde clapped in delight.
    Soon a fire was built and the meat was roasting nicely, sending an appetizing aroma into the cool evening air.
    “How much longer before we reach Longsbury?” Cristiana asked William as they sat near the flames.
    He reached for a piece of wood to throw on the fire with his left hand but stopped mid-air. With a smile at her and a twinkle in his eyes, he picked it up with his right hand and easily tossed the wood onto the flames.
    “It will take some time to get used to that.”
    She couldn’t help but smile in return. Rarely did she get to see the results of her work. “When did the injury occur?”
    “Several months past.”
    “Then it will take a few weeks to regain your strength,” she warned him. While she could heal the damage, she couldn’t aid the loss of muscle that oft accompanied it. Her gift had limitations most of which she’d learned the hard way.
    “As for our arrival at Longsbury, we probably have another two days of travel, depending on how many stops we make.” He glanced at Sister Mawde as he spoke.
    Cristiana said nothing. She was in no hurry to reach the bishop’s so she wasn’t about to comment on the nun’s frequent requests to halt.
    The man-at-arms who had caught the rabbit s had also gathered some ingredients for a soup to go along with it. He’d found ground ivy, leeks, and winter-cress, and added pieces of the dry bread into the pot as well. The idea of having something hot and filling for supper made Cristiana’s stomach grumble.
    Henry told a few stories of his tr avels as they feasted, entertaining the small party. Cristiana had a hard time guessing what she should believe and what she shouldn’t. The large bald man always had a hint of mirth in his blue eyes and it was difficult to tell when he stretched the truth. He’d found a few chestnuts that they roasted in the fire along with the apples. Those finished off their simple meal in fine style.
    For a brief time, Cristiana’s worries fell away. She enjoyed the conversation, the presence of William at her side, and a warm meal in her stomach. Her knee bumped William’s and her gaze caught his, making her realize this was one of those special moments to be cherished and tucked away so she could relive it later.
    All too so on, her exhaustion caught up with her and she could hardly keep her eyes open. Reluctantly, she bid everyone good night and settled beneath the furs with a smile on her lips as she listened to Henry’s next tale. This feeling of contentment was something she hadn’t experienced in a long while. She savored the sensation as she drifted off to sleep.
    ***
    William listened to the soft breathing of the woman beside him, the rhythm confirming she truly slept. He’d debated the need to bind her to him, but as tired as she was, he found it difficult to believe she would attempt escape.
    But on the morrow, he’d have to watch her like a hawk.
    By then she would’ve recovered and be back to her determined self. He rather looked forward to the challenge, he realized with a smile.
    The fire popped outside. A light breeze ruffled the sides of the tent. The sounds of the night gave him comfort. After being locked in that damned dungeon, he appreciated the outdoors much more. Tight spaces now made him uneasy and he avoided them at all costs. Even the confines of the tent made him restless. Only the opening at the end made it bearable. Barely. That and the lady sleeping at his side.
    One of the man-at-arms stood guard with the other set to relieve him. All was secure for now—as secure as it could be along the road at night.
    Yet still he couldn’t sleep.
    He turned onto his side so he could watch Cristiana, feeling guilty but unable to resist.
    T he golden glow of the fire cast her face in shadows. Her cheekbones looked higher, her lashes even longer in the wavering light. The slight tip at the end of her