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Adrienne raised her head proudly andeyes She refused to show the pain that closed around her heart "Tell hi me Tell him I’ll be back tomorrow and the next day and the next, until he sees me and allows ," Griing hiame"

"Then at least tell him I’m sorry," she said softly And she h human compassion to feel sorrow, lass Heart of ice in a body of fla but a brief sip of sweetness, then a keg full of bitter dregs"

Adrienne said nothing before she fled down the di her?" Hawk tossed restlessly in bed, kicking the coverlet off

"She’s fine, Hao guards are outside the Peacock Rooeted with the bottle of whisky the healer had left on the table, then poured a generous dollop into his glass He moved abruptly to stand beside the hearth

Haatched Grimm curiously His loyal friend see there to prevent the attack, Hawk decided He studied his bandaged hand carefully "She didn’t ask about ged his gaze frolanced up from the flames, the Hawk flinched at the sadness he read in every line of his best friend’s face "She didn’t even ask if I was going to be all right? Where the arrow hit? Anything?" Hawk tried to keep his voice level but it broke harshly

"I’lass and poked at the red-hot embers in the fireplace with the toe of his boot

"Bloody hell, the lass is made of ice!"

"Rest, Hawk," Grimm spoke into the fire "You’ve lost a lot of blood You caht If you hadn’t raised your hand in defense, the arroould have taken out your heart rather than just pinning your hand to your chest"

Hawk shrugged "A wee scratch on h the palh your hand to get it out And you heard hied in your chest, which it should have but for uncanny luck, there would have been naught he could do to save you, cruelly notched as it was You’ll bear scars and pain in that hand for life"

Hawk sighed morosely More scars and more pain So what? She hadn’t even bothered to see if he was alive She could have at least pretended to be concerned Visited briefly to maintain the pretense of civility But no She probably hoped he was dying, for with him out of the way she would be a very wealthy wo her gold and her blessings?

"Not even one question, Grie that covered alain

"Grih staff to ready theat that blasted fire--it’s too damned hot in here already"

Grimm dropped the poker to the stone hearth with a clatter He turned stiffly fro alone?"

"I just told you to ready half the guard"

"I aze dropped back to his hand He studied it for a oing alone If she couldn’t even be bothered to see if I lived or died, perhaps it’s ti At the very least, soain perspective"

Grimm nodded stiffly "You’re sure you can travel with that wound?"

"You know I heal quickly I’ll stop at the Roet some of the camomile and comfrey poultice they use--"

"But to ride?"

"I’ll be fine, Gri You’re not responsible" Hawk didn’t miss the bitter smile on Grimm’s face It comforted him somewhat to know that his friend was so loyal when his oife couldn’t be bothered to care if he was dead or alive "You’re a true friend, Grimm," Hawk said softly He wasn’t surprised when Grimm hurried from the room In all the years he’d known him, words of praise had always made the man uncomfortable