“If they hurt you I’ll be revenged on the bastards!” she snarled at him, wet eyes suddenly blazing. “I swear!” Orso smiled, then. It was an effort, considering everything, but he managed it. “I appreciate the thought more than you can know, but… if anything happens to me… I’d really rather you let it go.” He laid a hand gently on Hildi’s wet cheek. “Have a life instead. You deserve it.”
