The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(130)

“Very helpful indeed,” she told Reuben in a voice that told him that, though the battle might technically be over, the hard part of the night was still to come. “Dilli!” Ayla cranked her neck in all directions. “Somebody fetch my maid Dilli! This woman and her child need to be taken into the keep and properly cared for! Now!”

Three guards nearly fell over themselves attempting to be the first to fulfill her command. Soon after, Margaret had been entrusted to Dilli's care, and the door of the tower closed behind her. Ayla remained on the wall with Reuben, the soldiers, and the wounded. Reuben watched her. She stood at the door of the tower, having closed it after her maid. She didn't turn around, and a part of Reuben was grateful for that. He didn't fancy his chances of survival in the coming battle.

~~*~~*

Mad anger boiled in Ayla. She was sure that it would soon boil over and spill in all directions. She didn't yet know what she was going to do to Reuben, but it was going to be bad. Really bad. Her hands clenched into fists she turned from the door to face him.

And then, she met his gray gaze…soft, forceful, and burning all at the same time.

Her breath caught in her throat. Had there been something she had been going to say? Yes, she was sure. But, for the life of her, she couldn't remember what it was. Suddenly, it struck her that both he and she were still alive. Against all odds, they had survived everything. The siege was over. They were free. They were together. They were safe. And maybe, just maybe, they might have a future.

So they stood there, silently gazing at each other. Ayla looked into Reuben's eyes. Reuben looked into Ayla's eyes. Then, finally, after a long time, Reuben's eyes wandered down, towards the somewhat ravaged neckline of Ayla's dress. Before, the child had been in the way. But now, Ayla realized, he saw all there was to see through a dress that had lived through a battle and suffered several revealing tears.

When he finally spoke, his voice was rough. “Hmm…I like it. Is this how you're going to dress every day from now on?”

Ayla stared at him, open-mouthed. Slowly, a devilish grin spread on Reuben's face. Without meaning to, Ayla started towards him, step after step. She was drawn to that devilish smile of his, like a moth to the flame. She simply could not resist.

Coming to a stop right in front of him, she stood on her tiptoes, leaned forward, and whispered in his ear, very slowly and clearly:

“Not. A. Chance.”

Reuben's arms came up around her waist, grabbing hold of her roughly and sweetly. “Really? Not even if I tried to…persuade you?”

“No!”

His eyes flickered down to her neckline again. “Well, then I'd better enjoy the view while I still can.”

“Oh Reuben!” She threw herself into him, around him, and hugged him tightly, more tightly than she could ever remember hugging anybody or anything. She didn't care that everybody was watching, she didn't care that his armor was biting into her skin. She just wanted to hold him tight and never, ever let go.

“You're too close against me. I can't see the view anymore,” Reuben complained.

“Shut up!”

“Yes, Milady.”

“I love you!”

“I'm gratified to hear it, Milady.”

There was a short silence.

“And?” She demanded, looking up with tears in her eyes.

“And what?” he asked innocently.

“I just told you that I love you! Have you nothing to say to me in return?”

“You told me to shut up, remember?”

“Reuben!”

“All right, all right. I suppose then…I love you, too.” He made a face. “It sounds so mushy-gushy if you say it out loud.”

“I don't mind,” she sniffled.

“Glad to hear that.” She felt his grip tighten. “Neither do I. And as for you—” Letting go with one arm, Reuben raised his sword and pointed at the bloodstained guards surrounding them. “You aren't here. You didn't hear or see anything!”

Most of them nodded energetically. Some seemed to think that even a nod was too much, since, after all, they weren't here and hadn't heard anything. Oh no, they definitely hadn't. They just turned and made off in as non-existent a way as possible.

“You love me?” Ayla asked, tears in her eyes, a chorus of birds flying and twittering around her heart. “You really, truly love me? It wasn't just a pretense?”

“Yes. I love you.”

“And we're both still alive?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Good.” She sniffled again. “Just wanted to check.”

“If you want,” he whispered into her ear, “I can prove to you right away how alive we are. We just have to find a quiet room somewhere.”

Ayla considered for a moment.

“All right.”

Never in her life had she seen Reuben so utterly floored as in this moment. His mouth popped open, and his eyes went wide.

“A-all right?”

“Of course!” She raised an eyebrow, stepping back from him. “The wounded will need a quiet room to recover. Since, as you point out, you are still alive and on your feet, you can help me carry them and care for them. I think you'd make an excellent nurse—if you can keep your mouth shut and follow orders.”