When we withdrew from one another, we gazed at one another with stupid grins.
“I love you, Olivia,” Roman said, cupping my neck.
“And I love you, Roman.” I drew a heart on his chest with my fingertip. “Body and soul.”
He lowered his head and kissed me tenderly.
“Until tomorrow, my love,” he said as he eased away.
“Until tomorrow,” I said, filled with giddiness.
He backed away from me, keeping his gaze fixed on mine.
I pressed my fingertips to my lips and blew him a kiss.
He pretended to catch it, then pivoted and disappeared into the darkness.
I threw open the teepee door flap and floated inside. Dropping to my hands and knees, I tried to be quiet as I felt my way along the floor.
Emily surprised me by saying, “I heard Roman ask you to marry him.”
My cheeks burned with heat. “I’m sorry if we woke you up.”
What else did she hear? Did she hear the part about Balthazar?
“What better way to be awoken than to hear your good friend being proposed to.” Emily fumbled to find my hand.
When we connected, she gave me a squeeze. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you. It’s a dream come true,” I said.
“It proves my point. True love always finds a way. I hope to be as lucky as you and find a good man someday.”
“I never dreamed I’d meet someone as wonderful as Roman,” I said, scooting beneath one of the furs lining the floor. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring you food.”
“Oh, don’t be. A tribeswoman brought me some. Everyone has been so kind.” Her voice sounded cheerful and upbeat.
“I’m embarrassed to have been overheard. We tried to be quiet,” I said, subtly fishing for more information.
“You didn’t really wake me up. I was half-sleeping, half-awake, when I heard you outside. And I couldn’t make out much of what was being said. But I clearly heard Roman ask you to marry him. Oh, it’s so exciting!”
I relaxed. It sounded like Emily didn’t hear the part about destroying our enemy. “We’re in good hands, Emily. Oh! And I found out Marcellious is the nephew of the chief.”
Emily let out a gasp. “How is that possible?”
“It just is. I don’t really understand it myself,” I lied. I understood it far too well. That didn’t mean it made sense to an ordinary person, however. “I discovered how Roman and Marcellious were separated, and now they’re reunited. The tribe will look out for us. I think everything will be all right, Emily, I really do.”
“Oh, I’m so glad, Olivia. About everything—two brothers being reunited and you finding love. It’s wonderful.” Emily wiggled her fingers, lacing them with mine. “This is a good thing to fall asleep to. Everything working out for the better….”
She snuggled next to me like a kitten.
For a moment, I shared her joy. But as her breathing deepened, mine grew shallower. Anxiety overtook me, cradling me in a web of fret.
It seemed my life always took a turn for the worse when things started to become positive.
What made me think it would be any different this time?
Olivia
