Chapter 10: The River

Ronan's POV

Rhona's note said seven words on a torn page: He will hurt someone if I'm gone.

I read it standing in the stable with Catriona's breath still on my skin.

"She went back to him," Catriona said.

"On her own horse."

"We have to go after her."

"We don't," I said. "I do."

She looked at me, with her hair half braided and a shirt of mine hanging off one shoulder.

I made myself look at the shirt and not her.

"If Sterne sees you at the river," I said, "he'll have what he came for, and the Moot hasn't even met. Stay in the hold."

"You can't go alone."

"I'm taking two scouts."

"Ronan."

"Stay inside the wards," I said. "Please."

I had not said that word to anyone in years.

She went white around the mouth, then nodded once.

I rode out with my fists locked around the reins.

I did not trust myself with anything softer.

The river runs shallow at the south ford, and Corvin Sterne was waiting on the far bank with a dozen men.

Rhona sat on the grey mare behind him, with her hood up and her eyes on the water.

Her cheek had been washed, and the bruise looked darker.

I signaled the scouts to stay back and rode out to the middle of the ford.

Corvin walked out to meet me.

He had a smile on his face, a big warm one.

His hands were wrapped in leather gloves, and they were shaking.

"Warden," he said. "I'm glad you came."

"I came for the girl."

"She came for me."

"With a note."

"She loves me," Corvin said. "It's the bond. You wouldn't understand. You've never had one."

I did not answer that.

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