The infirmary were empty of needy souls, and so there weren’t a fire in there. Still, there were blankets and cots and I took both, curling up in a corner and sleeping. It had been an awful long day, and I just wanted a few moments of true rest.

When I woke, the sun were up and I could hear the monks moving about outside and the bell ringing. I felt colder than when I went to sleep, and figured it might be worth the risk to go to the warming room now. Rob wouldn’t be there still.

I went quiet from the infirmary, pushing on the door to see a body blocking the other side of it.

“Rob,” I whispered. My heart started to pound, but it weren’t like I were afraid of him. I only didn’t want him knowing why I might choose to sleep in a cold empty room rather than with the band. Didn’t want him even thinking on it.

“Morning, Scar,” he said.

Slipping out the door, I let it shut behind me and sat beside him slow. The sun were fair warm, and it weren’t as cold as most days. He looked at me, his ocean eyes stormy and wide. His hands went slowly up and he looked at my neck, wincing like I hit him when he caught it full. It felt worse. “Christ Almighty, Scar,” he said, letting his hands fall.

“What’s happening to you, Rob?” I asked. My voice fell so soft I weren’t sure he heard. “I don’t care about the bruises. I don’t. I been bruised before. I’m just so frightened for you.”

“These nightmares, Scar. I don’t know what to do.”

“Please, Rob, can’t you tell me of them?”

He shook his head, slowly. “I don’t even know how, Scarlet. I would give you everything I am, but I can’t say these things.”

I moved closer to him and curled against his body, and he rested his head on mine. “I love you, Rob, don’t you know that?” I whispered.

“I know. I love you too. I wouldn’t wish that on a soul, but I love you more than anything, Scar. And I’d die if I … if I ever …,” he said.

“No dying,” I said. Truth was, I didn’t want him to finish that bit. I didn’t want to know what he thought he might be capable of doing to me. Not with Gisbourne back, not with the prince coming. I couldn’t lose the safety of Robin’s arms. “We just need you to sleep. Maybe you should try Brother Ralf’s tincture.”

His fingers ran along my arm, and even through so many clothes it burned and made me feel like I was some delicate, precious thing. “I’ve seen men on such sleeping draughts,” he told me. “It dulls everything. If the knights caused trouble, I’d be useless. I’d go sleeping right through.”

“Rob,” I whispered. “It ain’t the nighttime we need to worry after. We need you to rest so you can lead. Nothing would happen to you while you slept.” I turned a little and sniffed my nose against his cheek. “And if it did, I would defend you with my life.”

Both his arms came around me, hauling me over him to sit a step lower than him, between his legs with his body tight around mine. He rested his head on my neck and I leaned back against him, resting my elbows on his knees. “I’ll do it for you, Scarlet. I’ll talk to Ralf today.”

I trembled but I nodded my head, twisting my eyes shut tight. Please, I prayed. Let this work. Let him just need sleep. Let me defend him and his hero’s heart.

“It’s strange,” he said low in my ear. “When night falls my chest is full of fear, but holding you like this, Scar, I can’t help but feel grateful. Joyous. By the light of day, I still cannot fathom that I’m the one you love.”

I turned a little to look at him. “I do love you. I always will.” I found myself staring at his mouth, my breath gone, desperate to kiss him and see what it felt like, to love a body so very much and have your lips touch, to taste him.

I ducked my head down, shutting my eyes tight and feeling a shudder like pain go through my bones. I weren’t going to risk God’s wrath more by having adultery added to my sins.

His arms squeezed tight around me, and I weren’t sure if he knew my mind, but it felt like he understood.

I were on my way to Edwinstowe already when I saw a body darting through the woods. I hid and watched, but soon enough called out when I realized who it were. “Will!” I yelled. “Will Clarke!”

The fair-headed boy stopped.

“You running for me?” I asked, going over to him.

He nodded, red cheeked and huffing. “I saw ’im,” he gasped. “I saw him!”

My breath flew. “Where?”

“On the road. To. To Notting. Ham,” he huffed.

“How long?”

He put his fists on his hips, thinking. “S’long as it took me to run,” he told me.

I nodded and set off running. He groaned and started running behind me. “Go home, Will!” I yelled. He kept on running.

“Mam says he’ll kill you!” he shouted.

“He’ll kill you first!” I yelled, and I heard his footsteps slow. “Thank you, Will!” I shouted, and ran on, leaping over a fallen tree.

Sure as sunups, Gisbourne were in Nottingham Castle. The whole place were in a tizzy for him too. Maids running every which way. Knights kitted up in full order. He left quick as he came, though, on a fresh horse and headed straight for Edwinstowe.

I tracked him with a wide berth. He didn’t bother anyone in the village, and he just went straight to Tuck’s. I were fair far back when I saw him go in, but I ran for the place then, slipping in the back and staying low.