Page 116 of Ruthless, But for Her

“We need to move him.”

Leif caught his brother’s wrist.

“No. Save your strength, you reckless little bastard.”

For a moment, relief crossed Ryker's face.

“If you can insult me, you can walk.”

Leif tried to laugh but the sound became a breath instead.

Sorren sat back on his heels.

There was nothing more any of them could do. Ryker looked at him. Then Ashton. Understanding finally came.

“No,” he yelled.

Leif's fingers tightened around his wrist.

Ryker bent closer.

“It was worth it.”

“Stop. We’re going home.”

Leif ignored him.

“Knowing you, all three of you. It was worth it.”

Ryker stared at him as Leif's hand slipped from his wrist.

No one spoke as Ashton listened for a breath, but none came.

“Leif?” Ryker touched the Norseman’s shoulder. “Leif?”

Behind them, their men moved through the Reach, gathering weapons and tending to the wounded. Someone called Ashton's name, asking him what to do with the prisoners.

He couldn’t answer. Not yet.

They left the Reach before dawn.

There was nothing to gain by remaining. Their wounded needed tending and de Grey's surviving men were already well inland. Ashton left six men to hold the Toll until replacements could come from Mere's End.

Leif was returned to The Einar, though not in the way any of them had imagined.

Cassia stood motionless when Ryker and Sorren carried the Norseman onto the deck. Ashton saw understanding on her face almost immediately.

She looked at him, but Ashton had nothing to say. The journey back was unlike the one north. There was no jesting from Ryker. No orders shouted from Leif. Even the oars seemed quieter.

Cassia sat beside Leif beneath the mast with Ryker. Neither moved for most of the voyage. As dawn lightened the sky, Mere's End appeared ahead.

The docks were already crowded with the dawn of a new day. Word had reached them somehow. Perhaps one of the wounded had ridden ahead from the Reach. Perhaps Mere's End simply knew when one of its own was returning differently than he'd left.

Margot stood at the end of the wharf. Her gaze found Ryker. Sorren. Him. Then Leif. She didn’t move when Ryker and Sorren carried him off. When they met her halfway along the dock, she reached out and touched Leif's face, the gesture so gentle, Ashton nearly looked away.

Ashton remained aboard for a moment longer. The docks looked much as they had weeks ago. Men unloading cargo. Ropes stretched along wet boards. Gulls circling above them and the sea beyond. Cassia stepped beside him, her hand slipping into his.

Ashton looked down at their joined hands, then toward his brothers carrying Leif home.