Song Of The Warrior by Georgina Gentry Page B

retort, but she had a mouthful of water and it was cold and good. Willow drank deep and sighed. “All right, you told me not to try it and I did and couldn’t make it. Are you happy now? I’m a stupid mimillu , a fool.”
    â€œ Saus! Quiet!” He ordered.
    â€œI’m not through. Yes, I must be an irresponsible girl who needs some superior, smug male to look after me.”
    He nodded. “ Tukug .”
    It meant “I agree,” which annoyed her even more; but before she could say so, Bear said, “I don’t know what Raven sees in you; you’re as irresponsible as he is.”
    She had to blink back tears. “I’m not irresponsible; I was trying to help the children! No one else seems to care if they ever learn anything.”
    He poured a little water on his fingertips and touched them to her face. It surprised her how gentle his touch was. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Green Eyes.” He looked down at her with a puzzled expression as if he were not quite sure what he felt himself. “Koiimize! Hurry! I’ll take you to your soldier boy; I’ve already spent too much time on a chit of a girl.”
    Again, he swung her up in his arms and strode toward his horse.
    She looked into his face intently. “You were concerned about me?”
    â€œRaven would have been upset if you hadn’t gotten home safely.” His face was set, emotionless, again.
    â€œI had protection,” she protested, “the lieutenant was looking after me.”
    â€œAnd doing such a good job of it, too.” It was impossible to miss the sarcasm of his tone.
    She lay her face against his muscular chest and listened to his heartbeat as he carried her to his horse. “You are insufferable.”
    â€œI’ll take your word for it, since I don’t know what it means,” he said patiently, “but at least I am not stupid and stubborn.”
    â€œYou are stubborn,” she snapped back.
    â€œThen at least, I am not stupid,” he answered as if dealing with a child. “A girl who would walk until she faints is not very smart.”
    â€œPut me down! I’ll not ride with you.”
    Instead, he swung up on the big horse, still holding Willow effortlessly. “Saus! Be silent! You will do as I tell you.”
    He was too big for her to try to escape from and besides, it was a long way back to town and her feet hurt. There was nothing to do but let him cradle her against him while he nudged the great horse into a walk. His arm was strong and warm around her and she could feel his breath against her hair as he held her close; closer, in fact, than he really needed to to keep her from falling. She had never felt so protected, so safe as she did at this moment in his embrace.
    What was she thinking? He was too old, perhaps maybe even thirty or so, much too grim and serious, and he didn’t like her at all. Both the lieutenant and Raven were more handsome and they seemed eager to please her, while Bear regarded her as a nuisance. Nevertheless, she was startled to realize she was enjoying this ride ... or was it only that she was so relieved to be riding instead of walking?
    â€œLook!” she yelled, pointing. “There’s the lieutenant in the road up ahead; he’s caught the buggy.”
    â€œAt least he can do something right,” Bear said wryly.
    She was abruptly embarrassed for the lieutenant. He looked so callow and awkward standing in the road holding the horse. She couldn’t even imagine Bear in such a humiliating predicament; he was too sure of himself.
    As they rode up to the buggy, Willow said, “Well, taz alago, thank you for your help.”
    â€œOne more thing,” Bear whispered hoarsely against her hair, “stay away from that soldier boy.”
    She twisted her head to stare up at him, her lips only inches from his set face. “Why do you suggest that? ”
    â€œI don’t