I put my head back on his shoulder and the comforting weight of his cheek returned to my head.
“I’m scared.”
“I ken ye are, Princess, but I will take care of ye.”
I said, “It’s hard to get comfortable with my hands in the back.”
“Lie down.” He raised his hands so I could lay across his lap. “I hae gotten past the pain and m’eyes hae adjusted. I will get yer bindings off yer wrists. Then ye can do mine.”
“Do you think you could?” I shimmied onto his lap, with a wince.
“I will try, and I am sorry ye were injured on the horse, Princess.”
I settled in a way that had my torso across his thighs, my wrists by his hand, and he began to pick at the ropes.
There was too much to think about. My mind was a jumble, a cacophony of stress. I needed to try to understand my whole past, everything in my life, my parents, my relationships, the money that had been set aside for me — it was all so complicated. I couldn’t even begin to think it through. I would need to, once I survived this.IfI survived this...
...then I realized Torin was humming.
I listened for a moment.
“That’s beautiful, what song is it?”
“Tis nae a drivin’ song, tis a walkin’ song from the Scottish highlands.” He sang a few lines, in a wonderful, deep brogue. “...now the summer is in prime, Wi' the flowers richly blooming, And the wild mountain thyme, A’ the moorlands perfuming; All around the bloomin’ heather, Lassie will ye go?—”
There was a bang and the door crashed open — I shrieked and turned over, hiding my hands.
A big man stood there. “What ye doin’ in here?”
Torin growled, “Naethin’ for ye tae worry on.” My heart raced, what if he took me? What if they beat Torin again. I froze, terrified.
Torin’s hands rested heavy on my shoulder, keeping me down on his lap.
“Ye are singin’.” The man swayed. He seemed drunk.
Torin said, “Ye are a detestable lout — The lady is restin’ and ye are makin’ a racket, go leave us be.”
The man swayed, then said, “Ye keep quiet, ye are a captive.” He staggered away, slamming the door behind him.
Torin gently pushed my shoulder forward, adjusted the cloak across my back, and wordlessly began picking at my bindings again.
He said, “I am sorry he frightened ye.”
I nodded. I couldn’t speak, I was so frightened, my whole body was shaking.
He put a calming comforting hand on my shoulder. “Ye ken I will protect ye?”
I nodded again. I did believe he was going to protect me.
And I desperately needed protection.
“Ye daena hae tae be afraid. Please daena doubt me.”
I nodded once more.
He went back to gently pulling at the bindings on my wrists. Then he said, “Can ye speak? I need tae hear ye.”
I said, quietly, “I know, I know you will protect me.”
