Warrior Untamed by Melissa Mayhue Page B

provisions and hurried to the stream’s bank to scoop it full. Once she nestled it directly into the fire, it wouldn’t take long to heat.
    “That needs cleaning,” she stated, as much for her own benefit as for his.
    If only she’d thought to bring along a spare shift, but she hadn’t. A warrior traveled light for speed, with no need for changes of clothing.
    Grasping the bottom of the shift she wore, she tore off a strip from the edge and dropped it into the now boiling water. Carefully, she fished it out and wrung as much water from it as she could before turning to wipe the sticky black ooze from Halldor’s arm.
    Though he made no word of protest, his hissing gasp was sign enough of his suffering. She pulled the flask of honey ale from her pack and placed it to his lips.
    “Drink.”
    He did as she instructed and a renewed thread of fear curled around her heart. This meek compliance was not a good sign.
    Remembering Editha’s warning about the jewels, Brie made sure to keep the stones wrapped tightly together in the linen as she reset the bandage and tied it around Halldor’s arm. To make sure it didn’t slip again, she knotted the second turn up and over his shoulder.
    He seemed to relax almost immediately after she finished.
    “There you go, O’Donar. Good as new.”
    “Hall,” he murmured, his eyes fluttering open to focus on her. “I’d have you call me Hall. It’s the name given me by my friend and brother, Chase Noble. Ifyours is to be the last face I see in this world, I’d have it be the face of a friend.”
    “Dinna you say such,” she said with all the ferocity she felt. “I’ll no let anything happen to you out here. I’ll get you to Rowan Cottage as I promised, and the witch will heal you. Yer no going to die.”
    “All the same,” he countered, “I’d have you use that name when you speak of me.”
    “ To you,” she corrected. “If it makes you happy, I’ll use that name when I speak to you.”
    Speaking of him would imply he was gone, and just the thought of that made it hard to catch her breath.
    “Say it.” He clamped his fingers around her wrist, pulling her closer, his eyes bright with the fever, holding her gaze. “I’d hear it from you now.”
    “Hall,” she whispered, and then once more, louder. “Hall.”
    His hand dropped from her wrist and he smiled. The expression that had once before sent tingles of excitement rippling through her had exactly the same effect this time.
    What a fool she was, allowing herself to get all bothered over the crazed rantings of a fevered man. It wasn’t as though he’d chosen to be here with her now. He traveled with her out of necessity.
    And yet . . . the kiss he’d stolen in the Tinkler camp burned on her lips as if he’d placed it there only minutes before.
    She lightly pressed her fingers to his cheek. Only to check his temperature, she assured herself. Certainly not because the smile lingering on his lips compelled her to make such contact.
    No sign of the fever remained on his cool, whisker-stubbled skin.
    “Is there anything I can get you? Anything you want?”
    His eyes opened slowly to her question, revealing two mesmerizing blue pools filled with a heat that had nothing to do with the recently departed fever.
    “Yes,” he answered, his hand rising up to rest over hers against his cheek. “I’m hungry.”
    So was she, but her hunger had nothing to do with food.
    W ITH THE JEWELS properly placed to hold back the evil in his wound, Hall’s strength returned in a rush. And with it came a new companion. Desire, hot and heavy, flooded his loins.
    Having Brie hovering so close to him, her palm cupping his cheek, all he could think of was kissing her. Tasting those perfect lips until they were swollen under his touch. Feeling her body close to his, her skin next to his.
    No good at all could come of this. He’d be lucky to live out the week, and even if he did, what had he to offer any woman?
    Despite all reason, he