“It wasn’t my question to answer.”
“What if I decide I want to?”
His chest tightened, but he managed to keep his voice calm. “Then I will help you prepare for the journey.”
Her eyes searched his face.
“Even though you don’t want me to go.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He frowned. “Because wanting you to stay does not give me the right to keep you here.”
Something shifted in her expression, and once again he couldn’t read it. That was unusual. He knew the language of her fear better than his own. But this wasn’t fear.
“You really don’t want me to go,” she said.
“No.”
He saw the beginning of a smile, and gave her a confused look.
“Why are you pleased?”
“Because you said it.”
“I’ve said it three times.”
“Exactly.”
He stared at her, and she stepped closer, placing her hand over his heart.
“You didn’t tell me what was safest. You didn’t tell me what you thought I should do. You didn’t pretend you didn’t care because you were afraid caring might influence me.”
He winced slightly.
“You just told me what you wanted.”
“I thought that was what you demanded.”
“It was.”
“Then why do you look surprised?”
“Because I didn’t know if you’d actually do it.”
He grunted, and her smile widened.
“I don’t know if I’d go,” she said. “The idea of getting on a ship again makes me feel sick. And I don’t know if I’m ready to leave Hothrest.”
He waited.
“But that’s my fear to figure out.”
“Yes.”
“And if I decide I want to go…”
