Looking away from the window, I looked around. There was no sign of Annabel anywhere. I noticed the screen with a hanging towel. There was a standing mirror between the screen and a dressing table. I walked to him, who was on the opposite side of the room, right in front of the other bed. I smelled roses when I walked past the hanging towel. I don't know why, but I pulled the fabric and brought it to my nose. I closed my eyes when I imagined the softness of the skin that that towel had touched. Then I glimpsed Annabel bathing. Grunhi hanging the towel back in place. I didn't have time for thoughts like that, let alone for a woman. Especially one like Annabel. Spoiled, full of wills, daring... I listed her faults mentally as I turned my attention to the mirror. Being angry with her kept me from thinking about how beautiful she was. Her hair, silver color, braided, made her look like a girl. Those blue eyes were perdition and every time she looked at me, she wanted to dive into them. I couldn't afford to get involved with the queen's sister. It was not only that either, there were other factors which prevented me from doing so.
Taking a deep breath, I shook my head from side to side and raised my shirt to see the damage the arrow had done. It would be one of many scars on my body, but the worst of them would not be shown. There were several battle marks. Mostly made by swords, some by fists and daggers. I'd never been shot before, so I had no idea of the pain.
- What do you think you're doing?
Annabel's voice echoed through the room making me turn towards her. She was dressed in a simple, sleeveless dress with a square, pastel-colored neckline. He wore an apron tied to his waist, sneakers on his feet and had his hair tied by a handkerchief. She was carrying a tray, which she put on top of a sideboard.
- You shouldn't be standing. - she said walking towards me. - Don't you know that you can suddenly fall and hit your head?
- I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. - I answered dry. - I'm just trying to understand what we do in a quarter of the inn when I said we should stay in the stable.
She looked at me frownily and crossed her arms.
- You're very ungrateful, you know that? - Annabel fired. - If it weren't for me, you'd be lying on the ground, under that rain and dying of so much bleeding. The least you could do is thank me for saving your life.
- Thank you? For all I know, it's your fault we're here and my injury. - ...he accused in a debauched manner.
- My fault? - she fired a shot approaching. - How dare you say it was my fault? Because of my ability, your grace only had to face three men instead of more.
- I disagree! - said sarcastic. - With the skills I possess, I can face a battalion and kill everyone, so there was no need for madam to take such a risk and put my life at risk.
I frowned when I felt an intense pain in my abdomen. A vertigo took over my body and I had to hold on to the wall behind me.
- Did you see what I said? - Annabel rushed to support me. - You shouldn't be standing, not even exalting yourself like this. He's still recovering from the arrow.
Saying that, she took me to bed and helped me lie down. On the one hand, I was grateful for Annabel's care. On the other hand, I was still furious that she disobeyed my orders.
- We wouldn't be here if it weren't for your stubbornness. - I said while covering my legs. - I must hurry to get us out of this inn as soon as possible. When dawn comes, we'll leave for Dunhill.
- Not even above my corpse will you go anywhere, before you are cured or before the soldiers arrive. - she fired by putting her hands on her waist.
- Soldiers? - I asked by frowning. - What soldiers?
Annabel sighed and turned around in bed. She took the tray and put it on my lap. There was a bowl of soup, some bread and fruit.
- Well, Abby suggested we bring him in so you can be better treated. She asked her cousin to go to Dunhill to take a message to Alistair. - Annabel took a spoon and tasted the soup to see if it was too hot. - I thought they would arrive two days ago, but the blizzard has worsened a lot and I believe Alistair is waiting for the storm to pass to send his men.
She blew the liquid and then offered it to me. I frowned upon her from the spoon. I felt like a foolish child being fed.
- Give it to me! - said by taking the spoon from her hand. - I can do that all by myself. I'm not a child and neither am I. I'm dying.
- Let me do it! - she said pulling her hand.
- Annabel, I'm not a baby! I might as well eat alone!
