94 Iona

Ileus tightened his hands around her. "I won't allow anyone to touch you, Anastasia, so stop spouting nonsense!" 

And that little scolding quieted her. He carried her in silence.

As he walked, he recalled how satisfied he was when he killed the burly scar-face. He mutilated his hands for touching her, for thinking of—

---

Sitting across from him in a small private corner in the alehouse that was near the inn, Ileus poured a glass of water for her and passed it to her.