19

Chapter 19

She woke to find herself sprawled on a cot, the white canvas of a tent above her eyes. Gingerly, she lifted her head and saw several oil lamps around the tent. Her gaze came to rest on Tiernan, who sat near her in a straight chair, his gaze somewhere between brooding and homicidal. “You came for me,” she said, and the words were happier than she’d meant them to be. It was strictly the relief of being rescued from that rapist, not joy at knowing he had been compelled to follow her, of course.

He stood up to come to her, leaning down so their faces were just inches apart. “You were nearly raped.”

She nodded. “Thank you—”

“Raped and murdered.” He spoke so ferociously the pulse in his temple bulged.

“I know.” A chill ran down her spine as she briefly contemplated just how close she’d come to both. If he and his soldiers had been even a few minutes later…

He pushed her back, hands on her shoulder holding her down. “Is that what you wanted?”

Blinking, she struggled to focus on hi