An Oath Sworn Read Online Free PDF Page A

he was in better health, she would accept his offer. As a woman who enjoyed quick wit, ’twould be interesting to remain with Colyne for a while longer, for their discussions if naught else. Except his pallor betrayed his weakened state. Neither could she forget how the sword had trembled in his hands as the knights had ridden by. He was in no condition to protect her, much less travel.
    â€œMy thanks for your offer of escort, but I must decline.”
    Colyne’s mouth tilted into a half smile that sent her pulse racing.
    Flustered by her reaction, she dropped her gaze. At his soft chuckle, she looked up. “What?”
    â€œOnly you would debate this.”
    â€œI am not—”
    His smile widened. “You are.”
    â€œI was,” she amended, finding herself hopelessly charmed. ’Twas foolish to entertain agreeing to his offer. He was too weak to travel. But if she didn’t agree, then she’d be alone, a stranger in a war-torn land. Though she far from trusted him, despite his cautious manner, he treated her with courtesy and respect without the knowledge of her royal ties. “Thank you. If you insist, I will accept your offer. But we must remain here another day to allow you time to heal before you travel.”
    He nodded, but Colyne’s eyes scoured hers, his wariness easy to read. With his intelligence, she’d expected nothing less.
    â€œThey say when you share your worries, the choices you need to make become so much more clear.”
    Sadness filled her at the sincerity in his voice. “I cannot.” And sadly, never could.
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    Canna? She could, but the lass was afraid of whoever sought her. Colyne took in the bruise on her cheek, disgusted by men who found strength in battering women. If the scoundrel who’d struck her stood before him, he would serve the bastard his own brand of justice. “You are exhausted and need to try to sleep.”
    Alesia glanced toward the cave’s entry. “The men—”
    â€œI will keep watch.”
    She scraped her teeth across her lower lip. “Only for a short while.”
    â€œGo to sleep,” he said, evading any agreement to her request. Unless absolutely necessary, he would allow her to rest until she awoke on her own.
    With a yawn, she walked toward the back of the cave, lost in shadows.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œBehind this ledge is a small chamber. While you slept, I crafted a bed from dry grass and leaves.” Pink crept up her cheeks in a flattering hue. “For you to use once I had left. If the men did a quick search of the cave while you were asleep, you had the chance of being overlooked.”
    â€œAnd why have you nae slept there?” he asked, impressed by her tactical measure. “It would have offered you more comfort than on the cold, hard ground.”
    â€œWhile you were asleep, you developed a fever, one that thankfully went away before you awoke. I could not risk leaving you alone.”
    Moved by her sacrifice, he stepped toward her. “So you slept by my side until the fever broke?”
    Her blush deepened. “ Oui .”
    Caught off guard by her sudden shyness, he halted, too easily picturing her moss-colored eyes dark with passion. “Go to sleep,” he whispered. Before he did something foolish like kiss her.
    With a blush on her cheeks, she slipped from view. Dried grass and leaves rustled as she settled behind the wall of uneven rock.
    Colyne blew out a rough breath and walked outside. Alesia’s genuine nature bespoke a nurturer, a woman given to helping others. How had he wondered if she was King Philip’s bastard daughter? Nae that she couldn’t be as giving, but raised beneath a royal hand and without ever having a need, he had his doubts.
    After a quick survey of the surroundings, he leaned against a boulder at an angle, where he could spot riders in the distance, but close enough to the entry so he could hear her