“Can’t sleep?” he asked with his eyes closed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” Willow whispered.
Christian pulled her against him and kissed her lips gently. “You never have to apologize for waking me. I’d rather spend my time with you than sleeping.”
Willow couldn’t contain her smile as she leaned against his chest. His warmth comforted her, and his steady heartbeat soothed her. Despite the late hour and his heavy eyelids, the words of love he murmured to her made her heart soar.
“Are you feeling more comfortable in the water?” he asked.
“Yes,” she lied. She would do it. But it would take time. If she could swim, she wouldn’t drown. “What is our plan?”
“We should reach Saint-Jean-de-Luz tomorrow. Landyn knows someone who is a captain and has his ship. Landyn says it’s big enough to transport our horses and us.”
Willow sighed skeptically. “I only have one more night to learn to swim.”
Christian wrapped her tightly in a warm embrace. “We don’t have to go. No matter what Raven says. You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. I’m a Hawke.”
Christian smiled against her hair. “You’re strong. That’s one of the reasons I love you.”
“And I thought it was because I am beautiful.”
“You are,” he whispered.
“And the way I kiss,” she reminded him.
“It is.”
“And how charming I am.”
Christian’s laughter rumbled through him.
At the beginning of their time together, he had called her charming, alluring, and tempting. Willow had taken it as a compliment, but she knew he hadn’t meant it that way.
He rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath him with his muscular frame. His arms were thick, and his skin felt like hot velvet against hers. She gasped softly as her heart raced, and a wave of warmth flooded through her.
He looked down into her eyes. “Do you know how hard it has been to resist your temptation in front of your sisters?” he asked quietly.
She grinned as he pressed his lips to hers. It had been as hard for him as it was for her. “I thought the days of riding were exhausting you.”
“Not enough to take my mind from you.”
He kissed her hungrily, his lips pushing against hers in an urgent embrace. His tongue darted between her lips and caressed hers with a passion that left her breathless. She longed for more, but this was not the place. Reluctantly, she pulled away. “Easy, my love. I want you, too. But we’ll have to save it for later.”
Christian groaned and slid onto his side, gathering Willow to him.
“Think of it as a reward after I learn to swim,” she added.
“I can’t wait.”
The night air was still and crisp the following night, the crescent moon shining brightly. Its silver beams cast over a tranquil pond, making the water ripple and glisten like diamonds.
They had traveled the entire day, following a narrow path that wound through the countryside, avoiding towns as much as possible. Every so often, they had to hide in the shadows of trees or crouch behind rocks to stay out of sight of the knights patrolling on horseback.
Now, Willow stood in water to her chest, clinging to Mercy’s mane tightly with one hand, her other threading through the liquid. As she waded between Mercy and Marcus, Willow knew this was the final attempt at swimming before she had to board the ship.
“Don’t be afraid,” Marcus advised.
