Chapter 22

• Gianna's POV
• Three years of war should have hardened me to long rides in the saddle, but it hadn't. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest-the ache in my thighs, the knot forming between my shoulder blades, and the sharp stiffness in my lower back made me feel like I was about to shatter. Even my backside felt as if it were ready to fall off.
• All I wanted was to sink into the bedroll inside the tent, its thin cushion suddenly more inviting than the grandest feather bed. With Stefano out, I seized the moment to strip off the constrictive bustier and heavy skirt that clung to my skin. The thought of a steaming hot bath danced through my mind, but the basin of lukewarm, murky water at the corner of the tent would have to do for now.