A few times in his journey forward, Felix had to pause so his horse could take a breather and so he could check on Irene.
Even though it felt cruel, he would rouse her and force her to drink some water from the waterskin she had been carrying over one of her shoulders. He hoped that taking in the liquid would purify whatever the arrow had put inside of her. Even if she threw up, he didn't mind. It would be better than whatever that was remaining inside.
"Just stay with me," he pleaded each time. "We'll get you to safety in no time."
He wasn't sure if she heard him but it was enough for him to feel he had done everything in his power to make sure her outcome was positive.
When he finally made it into the Duke's Tower in the early morning, the night watch spotted him first but he didn't ask for help as he slipped off his horse with Irene in tow and nudged his horse towards the stables knowing someone would get him at some point.
