- I acted like an idiot.
- Exactly!
Alistair stood up and came to where I was in a bit of trouble. He approached me, making me turn around to face him.
- Listen, I'm grateful that you trusted me and told me about the attack you'd suffered. Now that I know why you're so secretive, I promise I'll be more careful. - Alistair took my face with both hands and made me look at him. - Of course, I want to know what made someone mark their skin so cruelly, but I promise to be patient and wait until the moment they feel comfortable counting.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. We went slowly to the bathroom, because for Alistair, every step was like dying slowly.
- You want to turn until I get in the tub? - he asked.
- I don't need to do that, since I've seen him naked the whole time he was bedridden. - I said in denial with my head, and then I approached Alistair. - I can do that, but don't laugh if I get nervous.
- That didn't even cross my mind.
Alistair smiled and I took a deep breath. As I approached him, I started taking off his shirt. Alistair just closed his eyes and let me undress him. I took off the dress, leaving it just a combination.
- Aren't you coming in? - he asked.
- Not now. - I answered smiling. - I'll just clean it up.
Alistair nodded and walked into the pool leaning on the edge. I sat behind him, on the edge, putting one leg on each side of his shoulders. I took a sponge and started wiping his shoulders. Alistair leaned his head against my leg and closed his eyes. The water was warm and relaxing. I heard Alistair sigh when I hit his wound.
- I'm sorry! I'm sorry! - I whispered. - Does it still hurt?
- A little. - he said. - May I ask where you learned to do that with the dagger?
- My grandfather taught us to defend ourselves since we were kids. Aila kept us staying and after her death, she started to teach us in his place. - I took one of his arms and started rubbing slowly. - It seemed like I was in the process of preparing for something very important. He taught us how to ride, how to stay on trails, how to hunt and how to fight. Survive without help.
I paused when I remembered the defense and attack classes that Aila taught in place of our grandfather. She had always had a natural talent for using guns, riding and even hunting.
- Annabel has always been much more talented than me. He has an excellent sense of direction and can use his bow like no other. - I let out a laugh. - Strangely enough, she can find passages in any castle that is, even if she has never entered it. I wonder how she can do that.
- I know that talent from your sister.
- How's that?
- The night we got engaged, she came into my room through one of the passages. She wanted to make sure I'd protect her. - Alistair took a deep breath keeping his eyes closed. - I didn't know there was a passage in my room.
- That's pretty much my sister's face.
I let out a laugh and then bit my lips lightly. Annabel had always been very protective. She had always made a point of keeping me safe. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been able to count on her and Aila's breath.
- So you know how to defend yourself?
- Not exactly. - I took a break. - Aila couldn't teach me much and all I learned was to throw daggers and daggers. Because of that, I was forbidden to have contact with knives.
I paused to look at my wrists.
- That and for other reasons too.
Alistair opened his eyes and then took one of my wrists. He kissed softly.
- You don't have to think about taking your life anymore.
Smiling, I sighed trying to contain the shiver that rose through my spine as I felt the touch of Alistair's lips on my wrist.
- Thank you! - I whispered in a trembling voice and pulled my hand gently.
- If you wish, I can teach you how to use a sword and shoot with a bow.
- That would be wonderful, but first you'll have to recover.
- Yes, ma'am!
Taking some of the preparation I had taken with me, I began to go through Alistair's wound with the help of a sponge.
- What's that good smell?
- It's a balsam of roses and mint. My grandmother taught us how to pick herbs, make teas, ointments and how to cook. - I answered with pride. - That was a talent that the three of us developed very well. She left it all down so we could memorize it. That's how I developed my passion for reading.
- Really?
- Yes. During the cloistered period, I was forbidden to go to the library, so Annabel brought the books to my room.
- Well! I have a private library. If you wish, you have my permission to go whenever you like and read.
I stopped smiling and then I held his shoulders. It would be very nice to have access to books again.
- Really?
- Seriously!
- That would be very nice.
- I'm glad you liked it. - he
