“She smells good, too,” the boy said, giving a toothy grin. After that the other boys came up to her, patting her dress, her hands, and smelling her just as their friend had.
“He-hello,” she said softly.
A blue-eyed, blond-haired boy with round chipmunk cheeks blushed bashfully, toeing the soft ground before him and for a moment her heart totally melted. What were these young children doing here? Whose were they?
“I’m Fred,” the ginger said, “and that’s Toby.” He pointed to the chubby blond. “Nice to meet you, Maid Marian.”
Formal introductions out of the way, the boys waved a goodbye and meandered off, laughing and shoving each other out of the way in their haste to make it to the river first.
“Who are—”
Robin shook his head, as though he’d anticipated her questions. “Later,” he said just as John came up to them with a long frown line marring his forehead.
“Milady.” John bowed formally, and it was like getting punched in the gut.
Yes, she’d used her magic to wipe his mind. Yes, she’d known he wouldn’t remember her. But she hadn’t forgotten the feel of his powerful hands on her throat, or the desperate, mad look in his eyes.
“Robin.” John smirked, tucking his fingers into the band of his belt. “And just who in the bloody blazes is this astonishing creature?”
There was a thread in his tone that Nixie recognized. One she’d heard from him a number of times. It might be tempting for someone to meet the big brute and think there wasn’t an ounce of intelligence in his head.
He looked more like the sort of guy who belonged in a gym pumping iron, shallow and vain rather than someone who clearly was Robin’s equal in intellect.
John held out a hand to her.
Nix hesitated only a moment, reminding herself he didn’t actually remember her. A twinkle of warmth glowed through his deep brown eyes as she nervously slipped hand into his and shivered at the tender kiss he placed upon it.
Her last meet with him had been so bad that all she wanted to do was wipe his kiss off. She hadn’t realized how angry she still was with the bastard for the bruise he’d given her, but that would look just a little bizarre. So she held her hand by her side and tried to ignore her compulsion.
“As I’ve said”—Robin moved in closer to her, and as if he knew her thoughts, he tossed an arm about her waist—“she is Marian.”
“Aye, so you’ve said.” John’s smile was broad, but there was a hint of steel in his words.
He did not trust her sudden appearance at camp. It seemed, memories or no, John was deeply distrustful of outsiders, period.
That knowledge helped her like him just a little bit more. At least he hadn’t hated her simply because she’d been the “dark genie.” He was an equal opportunity hater. She almost snorted at the silly thought.
Nixie swayed into Robin’s body as tight as she could, dragging his scent of pine and earth and man deep into her lungs to steady her nerves.
Showtime.
Giving John a winning smile, she mustered every ounce of fortitude she possessed and pressed her palm to Robin’s chest. “I was accosted by bandits on the woods, not three miles south of here. Robin found me.” She touched the cheek she’d deliberately muddied up to lend credence to her story. “If not for him, I do not know where I’d be now.”
John’s eagle eyed gaze thinned, studying her from head to foot. “And how do we know you’re not a spy for his lordship?” He spat the title. “Sent to us as though a gift from the gods?” He clenched his fingers into a fist.
Nixie had gleaned enough information during her journey here with Robin to know Crispin was hated not just by himself, but by all the Merry Men.
She wished she knew why exactly, but for now, she’d play along.
“Believe me when I say I’ve no love for that silver-tongued devil, and may a lightning bolt strike me dead if I lie.”
Several of the men within earshot quickly crossed themselves.
John snorted and crossed his muscular arms, causing his barrel chest to rise and fall. “I’ve got my eye on you, woman.”
“Don’t forget who leads, John,” Robin said as he angled his body in front of hers like a shield. “If I say she’s safe, she’s safe.”
Were they really going to go through this again? She wrapped her fingers around Robin’s elbow tightly. She had no magic to protect herself with, but she’d be damned if she let him lay his hands on her again.
The men stared at one another for an intense few seconds before John muttered, “Your safety is ever of utmost importance to me, Robin, especially now when we’re so close. So ye’ll forgive me if I don’t just blithely fall into line. Though”—he sighed and glanced at her, and she wasn’t sure if it was just her hope making her see things that weren’t there, but his look no longer seemed so hostile—“I can say I’ll take the wait and see approach.”
Dropping his arm, Robin nodded. “That is all I ask.”