The Girl with the Gray Eyes by L.V. Lane

Author:L.V. Lane [Lane, L.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781922630223
Publisher: Three Spires Creative
Published: 2022-09-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 30

Hannah

Getting down from the horse was a relief, even with Edward’s assistance, but it set everything pounding.

“You okay?” Edward’s face was full of concern, so clearly, I looked as bad as I felt.

“I’m fine.” I sounded cranky.

Edward flashed me a tired grin. “You’re doing great, Hannah.”

I nodded, uncomfortable with unwarranted praise. My eyes were drawn to where Adam was being tended to by Yan. My own troubles seemed insignificant, considering his injuries. All around us was the industry of the soldiers—horses being gathered, saddles removed. Someone collected our borrowed horse, and I watched it being led away. There were so many people.

Edward’s hand on my arm brought me out of the trance. “Let’s head over to the others.”

The familiarity of our group offered comfort, except Luke wasn’t here and Adam lay unconscious, and I still felt as if I were trapped in a particularly vivid bad dream. Edward pressed a water bottle into my hand and instructed me to drink before he moved to talk to Danel.

I took several deep gulps of the water before noticing my filthy fingers covered in a combination of blood and dirt. Remembering the blood spattering over me as Tanis killed the Jaru warrior, I rubbed my cheek. Dark crusty flakes trickled down.

I thought I might be sick.

The clamor of new arrivals distracted me from my churning stomach. More riders crowded in, filling what little space remained, until finally, supply wagons lumbered in behind them.

Edward’s return interrupted my gawking. “It’s the other half of their group.” His glance shifted between Dillon and me. “Why don’t you set up the tent, Dillon? I’ll feel better if Adam’s out of the way.”

Dillon nodded, his face blank. He’d been close to Luke, and my heart broke a little for his pain. Even Marcus joined him without his usual griping.

“Why don’t we get you cleaned up?” Edward said. “There’s a stream just to the other side, and Danel said it’s safe for us to go. I think you’ll feel better if we can get rid of all this grime.”

“Thank you.” Legs unsteady, I followed him through the camp until we reached the stream. It was quieter, but not by much. A few soldiers had brought horses down to drink, but we found a free spot to one side, and I knelt to scrub my hands and face in the cool water.

It turned cloudy around my fingers, and I released a shaky breath. This wasn’t getting the job done. I dunked my head under the water and gave my hair and face a vigorous rub for as long as I could hold my breath, then came up coughing, dripping water everywhere.

“Jeez, Hannah. I wondered what the hell you were doing.”

I coughed again. Beside me, Edward fidgeted, clenching and unclenching his fingers as if fighting the urge to grab me off the bank of the stream. My glance up confirmed he was scowling. “Is it gone?” I asked.

“Yeah, it’s gone. Mostly.”

When I went to dunk my head again, he took hold of my arm and hauled me abruptly to my feet.

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