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“Just my connection to men your Elderman would rather not anger.” I find it necessary to add, “I am not the enemy, Aedre. I’ve no wish to harm you or your grandmother. You’ll find most Southerners more tolerant than you believe.”

“And some who are not.”

I cannot refute her words.

“You’ve no dishonorable men or women here in Murwood?”

Her chin rises. “Aye. But even the most dishonorable among them understand the danger of being beholden to the whims of kings or Eldermen.”

The rain stops as quickly as it started, but neither of us move. Looking at her here, in the murky light of the cave, the distance between us so small, I wonder again what it would be like to kiss her. She’s been touched by a man before, but how?

Does it matter?

I will leave when Aldwine returns, never to see her again. Surprisingly, the thought of leaving her untouched, of leaving her forever, is unsettling.

“That very look has gotten young women with babes in their belly.”

Caught by surprise again, I laugh. “Has it now? A fine Garra you are indeed, if you think ’tis done that way.”

I stand, and she does so with me.

“I know how ’tis done,” she says, smiling.

Two smiles in one afternoon. It is a miracle indeed.

“I’ll not deny my desire for you, Aedre. ’Tis plain to see, as you’ve pointed out.”

As is hers for me. I suspected before, but now I’m sure.

“And yet, you restrain yourself. ’Tis why I knew I would be safe with you in here. You’ve looked at me thus since the first time we met. But we’ve been alone before, and you’ve never once tried anything.”

Her forthrightness only makes her more desirable.

I take out a coin purse and move toward her. “Will you meet me on the morrow? I’ve gotten to know much of Murwood from our meetings.”

I take her hand. Aedre does not pull it away.

Unprepared for the spark such innocent contact ignites, I place the small bag in her palm and step back as if scorched.

“You do not need me,” she says softly.

She’s wrong. So very wrong.

I’ve lived only to serve Galfrid these many years. But being with Aedre reminds me of what I’ve given up . . . a life of my own.

“Help me gain an audience with him.”

Aedre moves past me to take hold of her boots. My eyes linger on her backside, but I glance away quickly as she turns.

“He will be wroth with me for it.”

“I know you care little for Meria, but you are a healer, Aedre. Your nature is to help people. If Lord Hinton becomes king, all will suffer.”

I remember one fact about the sinking which we did not discuss earlier.

“He was on the ship that day. The king’s nephew. He was to sail with it, but after too much revelry the eve before, the simple act of standing on deck was too much for him. Before it went to sea, Hinton disembarked. The church, seeing his survival as a sign he should be named as successor, immediately offered him their support. I left only days after the king’s son perished, but already word of Hinton as the church’s chosen one had spread.”

“Despite the man’s nature?”