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“Are you happy?” he asked her.
She scrunched her face, contemplating her answer. “I don’t know. I thought I was. My mom just said some things this morning…” She shook her head. “I just feel like this is all I’ve ever known. How could I possibly know if it’s enough?”
It felt like a punch to his chest. All the air escaped from his lungs. Eli didn’t know if there was more out there for him, but if he ever had the desire to explore it, he would want Ali by his side. He picked at the peeling paint in front of him. “You don’t know if I’m enough?”
She looked up at him urgently. “No, Eli, that’s not what I meant at all. Of course, you’re enough. You’re more than enough.”
“It’s all right, Ali. You don’t need to spare my feelings. We’ve always been honest with each other.” He meant it sincerely. It was more important to him that she be honest. Suddenly, the thought of marrying her felt like torture. To be bound to a woman who didn’t love him back. He would always wish his feelings were reciprocated. A dagger of pain pierced his heart.
Is that enough for me?
“Eli—” She reached for his hand and gave him a pitiful look.
I don’t need or want your pity.
Her eyes were like glass, pleading with him to understand.
I don’t understand.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and braced for whatever she was about to say.
But loud shouting in the distance interrupted them. She never finished her sentence. They both snapped their heads in the direction of the noise. They should’ve been alone out here. No one came this far out of town except hunters and gatherers. And no one ever wandered in this area. Something wasn’t right.
***
Chapter Four
Eli slid down from his horse and helped Ali down as well. She slipped her hand in his and it felt like fire and ice at the same time. A burning passion on his end and cold indifference on hers. He gripped it anyway as she slid down, her feet hitting the hard floor with a thump.
“What do you think that was?” she whispered. She was tense. He could feel it.
He didn’t answer and instead led her into the woods toward the voices that stood between them and Andus. They were careful not to make any noise or to be seen. He didn’t know who could be in these woods, but it was important that he spotted them before they spotted him.
The voices died down, and it was silent for several minutes. Had the noise been from an animal or their brains playing tricks on them? There was no whisper of the voices they had heard back on the horses, let alone a shout.
As they worked their way through a thick spot of trees, he saw movement up ahead. He looked back at Ali and placed his index finger to his lips. She nodded and followed his gaze.
It was still unclear who they were, but there were three men in the clearing. Eli didn’t recognize any of them, so they couldn’t be from Andus.
“Who are they?” Ali whispered.
“I don’t know.”
He studied them for clues. They wore gear like soldiers but traveled lightly. They were armed, but no more than the average hunter. Perhaps they were scouts. Where had they come from though? And what were they looking for? He was torn between wanting to stay safely hidden and wanting to know more.
“Can you hear what they’re saying?” Ali was right behind him, so close he could feel her breath on his ear. Her body huddled against him and shielded him from the wind.
“No. I think we need to get closer.”
“Is that wise?”
“No, but if you want more information, I’ll have to move in. You should stay here.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Eli, you’re not going anywhere without me.”
He looked back at the group, weighing the options. One man muttered something inaudible, and they started to move west.
“Fine. We’ll follow them at a distance. Stay close to me and keep quiet.”
