The corners of his lips rose. “It’s good to be out of bed.” In loose pants and an untied robe that revealed most of his chest, he looked disheveled.

Reid imagined it would be considered improper for her to be alone with him in here, especially in his state of undress, but she didn’t care. “Does your tattoo mean anything?”

He smiled. “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Colbert rubbed the nape of his neck. “I spent a year traveling.”

She sat on the chair next to him, waiting to see if he’d elaborate.

“The tattoo came from one of the kingdoms I visited. It means Strength in mind and spirit.”

Reid hadn’t been sure the marks were even letters. The ink covered his entire collarbone and circled around the back of his neck.

“So, Lady Reid, what brings you to my humble abode?”

The first word that came to mind was desperation. Desperation for kindness, compassion, and companionship. She leaned back, about to answer. Instead, she winced.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She sat slightly forward, keeping the sore part of her head from touching the chair. Rubbing her temples, she asked, “How are you doing?”

“Don’t change the subject,” he said quietly. “We’re talking about you. What happened?”

“It’s nothing.” She didn’t need to cry to Colbert about Gytha besting her. Reid was a big girl who could take care of herself.

“You’re dressed in training gear.”

“I am.”

“You appear to be in some sort of pain.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I hit my head.”

His brows drew together. “Has a healer checked it to make sure you’re okay?”

Chuckling, she said, “That’s funny coming from you.” She pointedly looked at his wound.

“I suppose you’re right.” He crossed his legs. “Will you at least tell me how it happened?”

“I’ll tell you on one condition.”

He waved his hand, indicating she should state her case.

“You won’t say a word about it to anyone else.”

“Why?”

Instead of responding, she stared at him, waiting for him to agree.

He tapped his hand on his thigh. “Fine. I promise not to say anything.”

Satisfied, she proceeded to tell him about her incident with Gytha.

When she finished, he said, “That doesn’t surprise me seeing as how she doesn’t like to lose.”

“Gytha is far more experienced with a sword than I am.” Reid had been no match for the warrior woman.

Colbert grinned, seemingly amused. “Sometimes, Reid, your youthful age and naïveté shows.”

She frowned, not liking the sound of that.

“I am referring to Dexter,” he clarified. “Gytha always assumed she’d be his wife one day.”

“Why didn’t they marry?” Why had they carried on a relationship for so long without taking it to the next level?