Chapter 91

“Shh, love. Nearly there,” he whispered. Samuel opened his eyes a moment and there was a look of such relief, such trust, that Tristan had to look away.

* * * *

Every inch of his body hurt. Sam peeled open an eye as he tried to make his feet work. He found himself being bundled into a hackney, and the only thing that kept him from passing out again was Tristan’s firm arm about him. His head lolled because his neck appeared to be too weak to hold it up.

“Come on, old chap.” Tristan’s voice broke through the fog and he felt him stroke his cheek. “Chin up. Have you safe in a trice.”

“Wha…wha…” Sam tried to unglue his tongue from the roof of his mouth. “Wha’ happened?” His head wouldn’t work any better than his mouth.

“Don’t you remember?”

Sam didn’t really want to remember so he let his eyes close and leaned into Tristan’s warmth, feeling thankful that he was there.