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“Because I’m a fool.”
I can’t help but smile at his response. “At least we can both agree on that.”
A low growl erupts from him as a grin spreads across his lips. “And because I valued my head, and I’m not sure I would have left with it that night had I tried.”
I smile as I shrug my shoulders, and he pulls me back down to pepper me with a few more quick, gentle kisses before I rest my head against his chest. I move to lie next to him again, being careful of his side, my arms wrapping around his waist but stopping short of his stitches. He plays with my hair, sending a gentle wave of contentment rolling through me.
I trace his hand, drawing circles in his palm before charting lines up his wrist. I can’t help the wide smile now covering my face as we lay in each other’s arms.
My mind begins to drift off to sleep. But the solid memory of being called Evander once again strokes through my consciousness. I open my eyes, looking toward Roan. His eyes are closed, but his fingers still gently rub through my own. He's not asleep yet. I could easily bring it up. But a bit of unease snakes around my heart, and I falter. I want to ask, but my mouth doesn't seem to want to form the words.There will be time, I tell myself.
Why ruin such a perfect moment by bringing up his fallen friend?
38
Roan
Iwake,darknessoverpoweringthe space. A single candle sits on the small table across the room, the wax gathered in large clumps at its bottom.
Ari’s arms are still wrapped around me. Her face is nestled in the crook of my neck, our legs entwined together on the bed. I let myself lie there a few more moments, soaking in the memory of a few hours ago as I run my fingers across her arm. There was so much underneath that kiss, and the possibilities both make me smile as wide as my face will allow me while also twisting my stomach into knots.
I won’t let myself move into the future until we have found Lena, and returned safely to Turin. Until I’ve told Ari of my betrothal, one I fully intend to break with Lena’s sure blessing. My gut coils tightly as I think of that conversation. I have no doubt that Lena will agree. Our hastiness to apease her parent’s wishes trapped us both after all. But it won’t make the discussion any less difficult.
Ari stirs next to me, tightening her hold. “How are you feeling?” I ask her.
She carefully tries to adjust her position, steering clear of my injuries. “Better than I have in my entire life.” She opens one eye, sleep still clinging to the other.
“Liar,” I jest. She moves to look up at me with both eyes this time.
“I don’t lie.” Her smile is broad, and I can’t help but match it.
“Silas might disagree,” I say lightheartedly, moving to warm her forehead with a kiss. And somehow, it warms me too.
How can one moment change everything? How can a simple kiss shift everything inside of me? Maybe I am the liar if I’m willing to call it simple— it was anything but. I only wish I had the full function of my body to have made our second kiss one she’d never forget.
It would be wise to attempt to get up, to start readying for the day ahead. It will take me twice as long as Ari to prepare.Just a little longer, I tell myself. Just a little longer before I leave the cocoon of her arms. Just a little longer before we have to figure out just what this is between us. Just a little longer before we head toward the unknown of a country that hopefully harbors the most important person to Felshan’s future. Just a little longer before the stress and worry for Lena’s wellbeing take hold. Just a little longer before the danger of what comes next takes precedence over this perfect moment.
I don’t want to move, but I know it’s time. Ari knows it too, and I don’t try and stop her as she sits up.
“I will go pack the horse. I’ll be back soon with a little breakfast. Rest while you can. We should plan to leave by first light.”
I nod, watching as she quietly slips out the door.
Something slams, jolting me from my sleepy daze.
“We need to go. Now.” Ari rushes to my bedside, slipping her arm underneath my back to help me move. Her face is pinched, her movements precise, effectively driving away any residual drowsiness I felt only moments ago.
“What?” My brows weave together, waiting for her explanation as my feet touch the ground for the first time in days. My hurt leg sings as I put the smallest weight on it, eliciting a sharp gasp I can’t contain.
“Silas. Him and his men came late in the night. While we were asleep. They’re downstairs.” Her voice is clipped, her face blank. A tremor rolls through her hand before she shakes it away. My chest feels heavy enough that my breathing becomes labored, my mind trying desperately to process her words and come up with a plan.
With Ari’s help taking some weight from my leg, she leads me to the lone window. How on earth am I going to get down from the window? I can barely walk let alone jump two stories down.
My head snaps from that window to her, my eyes wide. “We can’t go out the door. The only way out is down the stairs, and Silas’s men are gathered in that main room. We’d never be able to sneak out, especially side by side, especially with you injured.” I could walk without her, but not well. Not well enough to sneak past a room full of blood thirsty scoundrels anyway.
I know what will happen should Silas find us, and I’ll be nothing more than a prop as I watch his men bring Ari down.
The thief.My thief.
