“No disrespect to you, my dear, for I can see you are a very brave and capable woman, but I do not think you can help Jorgen in your injured condition.”
“Perhaps not, but I have to try.” Odette began to walk faster as her muscles seemed to loosen up. Even though her injured leg was throbbing, she kept moving toward the front door. When she reached it, she pushed it open and peered outside. Then she nocked an arrow to her bowstring, ignoring the twinges of pain in her arm, and walked out.
Frau Hartman was beside her but silent. They moved toward the small clearing on the right side of the house. Odette stood listening. She couldn’t move fast so she didn’t know what she thought she could do. She didn’t even know which direction Jorgen had gone. She stepped out into the clearing, looking all around her as she walked. Frau Hartman stayed just behind her, no longer attempting to support her.
Then she saw him. Jorgen was walking toward the house. He still looked very alert. She knew when he saw her because he stared for a moment, then continued looking around.
Suddenly to Jorgen’s left and just behind him, a man stood up. He had been hiding behind a bush. Now he drew back an arrow, aiming for Jorgen.
Odette lifted her bow and arrow and drew the bowstring back all in one swift movement and let the arrow go.
The man sent his own arrow flying toward Jorgen, who spun around when he saw Odette raise her bow. Frau Hartman screamed. The archer let out a little cry and clutched at his arm as Odette’s arrow seemed to graze him. He turned and disappeared in the trees, crashing through the underbrush.
Jorgen, who was holding his own arrow aimed in the direction of the mysterious archer, lowered it as he focused on Odette.
“Did he get you?” She swayed where she stood.
Jorgen ran the rest of the way to her. “No, he missed. But I think you hit him.”
“I only nicked his arm.”
Odette’s knees threatened to buckle beneath her, her vision spinning. Jorgen took the weapon from her trembling hands.
She whispered, “I think I need to sit down.” Her vision started fading.
Jorgen slipped one arm behind her back. He bent and put his other arm under her knees and lifted her.
“I think I am all right. I just feel a bit . . . faint.” She laid her head on his shoulder, and it was just like the last time Jorgen had carried her. Only this time his journey was much shorter.
“Who was that?” Jorgen’s mother asked as he carried Odette into the house and laid her on the bed.
“I do not know.” Jorgen smoothed Odette’s hair back from her face.
She was so weak she wasn’t sure she could have done it for herself.
“Thank you for saving my life.” His voice was rough and thick, and his throat bobbed.
Her heart thumped against her chest. As he leaned over her, oh, how she wished he would kiss her.
But he couldn’t. Of course he couldn’t. She was marrying Mathis.
His face clouded. Was he also thinking about her marrying Mathis? He turned and walked out.
Odette opened her eyes as voices drifted to her from another room.
“You shot her!” someone said. It sounded like Mathis.
“She does not need to be moved. She nearly fainted this afternoon.” That was Jorgen’s strident voice.
“I brought a litter,” Mathis answered.
“I do not care what you brought, she doesn’t need to be moved.”
Then several people seemed to be speaking at once, and one voice sounded like Rutger.
The voices got louder and three men—Jorgen, Mathis, and Rutger—spilled into her chamber.
Jorgen stood with his arms crossed, his brows lowered, and his jaw clenched.
Rutger and Mathis came toward her bed. Mathis smiled and cocked his head to one side. “Odette, please allow your uncle to take you home. It is not good for you to be staying here with Jorgen, in this small house.”
“You don’t have to go if you do not want to,” Jorgen said.
“Odette,” Rutger said, “I have a litter outside. You won’t have to walk at all, and you do not want to trouble the forester and his mother any longer.”
Trouble. It was true. Her presence there would get Jorgen in trouble with the margrave.
“Will you not let me take you home?”
Mathis hovered over Rutger’s shoulder. Jorgen still looked like a dark thundercloud.
Odette said softly, “It is best if I go.”
Mathis and Rutger chorused their agreement.
Frau Hartman gathered her things and handed them to Rutger—and handed him a harsh glare at the same time.