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looked down and studied my bloody leg. “You’re wounded, and you are a fool. If you weren’t hurt, I would take a lash to your stupid backside and whip some sense into you.”
    “I fight. I may be a fool, but all fighters are,” I retorted. His threat of a punishment sent a shiver through me as his arms tightened around my exhausted body.
    Rigby stopped walking and stared directly in my eyes, his breath warm against my face. An energy sizzled between us. I desperately wanted to look away, but refused to give him that power.
    He shook his head and sighed, and continued walking toward his men with me held snugly up against his chest. “You are unlike any woman I have ever met; whose skin is as beaten as a man’s and who bears the scars of combat. My men and I know your abilities and bravery, you proved that today, but you don’t have to kill yourself just trying to prove to us that you are just as strong and skilled as a man. I know that. We know that.”
    “I don’t know how to be any other way. I don’t know how to be weak.”
    “I’m not asking you to be weak. But I am telling you that your need to prove your strength is going to get you killed.”
    “Then so be it,” I mumbled as the throbbing of my wound beat at the same rhythm as my heart.
    Rigby’s sigh was heavy as he carried me to an area where the wounded soldiers were gathered. “Someone clearly taught you the sword. Someone clearly taught you the bow. But someone clearly needs to teach you the art of submission.”
    “I submit to no one,” I countered.
    He paused and glared into my eyes. My heart beat so loud I was sure he could hear it. “And that attitude right there is going to get your throat slit. It’s okay not to always have to try to be what you aren’t. You aren’t a man, Tudor. You aren’t a fool. You aren’t weak. But when you try to be what you aren’t—a man—you are a fool, and therefore, you are weak.” His breath danced against my hair as he spoke. “It shows more strength to soften. To show that you don’t always have that fake hard shell around you. I would have a hell of a lot more respect for you if you could soften and be true.”
    “I have no reason to submit, and I have no reason to soften. And frankly, I couldn’t care less if I have your respect.”
    “You do want my respect.” He smiled as if he was pleased he knew my deepest secret. “You have done nothing but try to show all of us that nothing can get to you. That you are indeed a warrior. I get that, Tudor. I get that you are a damn good fighter. But I also see that your need to prove you are no different than any man is the chink in your armor. It makes you reckless and stupid.”
    “So by submitting and softening as you say, I would be a better fighter?” I huffed. “Do you tell all your men this?”
    “No, I don’t. But that’s just it, Tudor. They are men. You are a woman. Be proud that you are a woman. Don’t try to hide that fact.” He paused and looked at me, his features softening. “The fact that you are such a strong woman is very impressive. Just don’t lose that part of you that makes you a woman. Don’t try to be a man. You as a woman is far more powerful.”
    “You think I should be more womanly, is that it?”
    Rigby held my stare for a few more moments and tightened his grip around my tired frame. “Yes. You should.” He continued walking without saying anything further.
    I sighed, blinking against the dizziness that the blood loss caused. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves as he placed me on a blanket alongside the wounded men.
    Five more men had fallen in the defense of our encampment, and another ten were seriously injured. From appearances, I was one of the less severely hurt, although the leg wound was rather deep.
    Pulling up the edge of my pant leg, I let one of the soldiers clean and stitch the wound. I had another slight gash on my upper arm, and one across my face along the cheekbone. A few stitches and