- Really? - I said in a debauched way trying to disguise my nervousness. - In case you haven't noticed, I don't care what you think.
Bruce was staring at me for a while. He started laughing, making me confused. I didn't understand Franzi's forehead, but his attitude didn't last long. I jumped in fright as he walked over me, close enough for his nose to almost touch mine. With a dry blow, he stuck his dagger in the wood next to my left leg and looked at me very angry.
- Will you come with me for good, or will I have the immense pleasure of tying you up and throwing you over that animal's back, like a sack of potatoes? - he threatened. - The choice is all yours!
Without believing what I heard, I stared at him for a while. His dark blue eyes turned black. I saw that Bruce was fighting a storm inside you. An anger I didn't really know where it came from or what its purpose would be. All I could be sure of was that he spoke very seriously and I did not doubt that Bruce would comply with that threat. Still, it wouldn't please him to know that I feared his words.
- First, - said grabbing his shoulders and pushing him, so that Bruce fell sitting on the floor. - I told you to stay away from me. Second, don't you ever dare threaten me again.
As he tried to recover, I quickly caught the beast that was stuck to his waist and stood up. I ran over Bruce, who snitched, and went towards the horse. Before riding, I fastened the beast to my belt around my waist and looked towards him.
- You're not coming? - I asked provocatively. - I thought you were in a hurry.
The soldiers laughed, making him growl. Taking a jump, he stood up. With wide and decisive strides, Bruce reached the horse and rode the saddle behind me. I held my breath when he passed one of his arms around my waist and took the reins of my hands.
- Let me drive, ma'am! - he said whispering in my ear. - I'll warn you not to dare use the beast you took from me.
I crossed my arms snorting.
- I think we've been in this place too long. - I grumbled. - All I want is to get to Dunhill right away, take a long shower and get rid of everything that this village has represented.
I felt Bruce's body stretch and he snitched. He grumbled something I didn't understand and remained silent for much of the way.
The trip to Dunhill was being suffocating. I was bothered by Bruce's presence and proximity. He made a point of keeping me leaning on his chest while he held my waist with his other hand. It was static and my body was already starting to hurt.
- Why don't you relax? - he asked. - I wouldn't let her fall off my horse, even if it cost me my life.
- Pull! I'm flattered by your words! - I returned it ironically. - I didn't know you cared so much about me that you put your life in danger.
Bruce laughed provocatively.
- It's not you I'm worried about, it's my health. - he returned in a mocking tone. - If I get to the castle without you, the queen will rip my skin off.
I growled angrily and then hit an elbow on his waist, just where he was recovering from the wound.
- Damn it! - he grunted. - Why'd you do that? Don't you know I'm still in pain?
I let out a laugh and stretched out my hand carrying it to my chest. I felt pain the moment I stretched it over the neckline of my dress, so I shook it.
- Well done! - he whispered in my ear. - It's done here, it's paid for here!
I let out a growl and then I folded my arms in front of my chest. I concentrated on observing the landscape around the trail that was on the edge of a cliff. We were in the lead while the guards were escorting us. I didn't know if they kept the back of their idiot captain or if the valuable cargo was really me. All I could figure out was that they were very attentive to everything. The hand began to throb in a very painful way, bringing tears to my eyes. I was already weakened by the night before, I didn't need a stupid wound to make me cry. I sniffed, at the same time, that I was holding the wounded hand.
- Does it hurt that much? - Bruce asked with a worried voice.
- Yeah, since yesterday, actually. - I answered. - It's throbbing a lot.
- All right! All right! I'll give the parade warning so we can take care of it.
- You don't have to! - said disagreeing. - We're almost there. We can take care of that when we're safe in Dunhill.
- I insist!
- Why is that?
- Because I'm worried to see you're in pain.
- What strangers!
- What's weird?
- I thought I was nothing but a witch to you. - I fired ironically. - How can you be sure you didn't try to trick him into going it alone? Maybe these tears are false and I'm just trying to confuse you, so that you have a minimum of compassion.
I felt Bruce holding his breath. He squawked low in an incomprehensible whisper.
- All right! All right! We'll do as you wish.
