Page 40 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Erik could risk it and tell Linota the truth, but, knowing how she felt about betrayal, he doubted she would be amenable to his plan. And he could not jeopardise Isabel’s safety.

He had to keep reminding himself of that. Even if she found out and hated him for his actions, it would not make a difference to their future.

‘What do you have planned?’ she asked eventually and his heart crushed at the trust in her voice.

‘I have a friend, Emma. She will take you in and keep you safe.’

Her whole body stilled. ‘Emma?’

He cleared his throat, heat rushing over his face. He had made it sound as if he was on intimate terms with Emma, which was crude considering he had been stroking Linota’s bare skin not long ago. It was true that Emma was an ex-lover but that had been years ago. They had been friends for a lot longer.

‘Emma and her husband, Clayborne Payne, own a bakery in Borwyn town,’ he clarified. ‘They make the most delicious bread you have ever tasted. You won’t go hungry during your stay.’

Linota’s shoulders stayed rigid and he hated himself just a little bit more.

‘Won’t it be safer for me to stay with you at the fortress?’

Erik closed his eyes, glad once again that she couldn’t see his face. The desire to stay with her and never leave rushed through him. But for his plan to work she needed to be kept away from the fortress. Nobody could know that Linota was safe and well even though he would do everything in his power to make sure she did, indeed, remain that way.

‘Until whoever is behind your abduction is caught, it is not safe for you to be out in the open.’

At least that much was true.

‘Will you stay with me in the bakery instead?’

‘I cannot. They would not have room for me. Besides, I think it is best I return to the fortress. Something dangerous is afoot and I need to get to the bottom of it before anyone else gets hurt.’

‘Oh. I don’t really want to be apart from you.’

Her slender hand reached out and encircled his arm. He could only just feel the pressure of her touch through the thick fabric of his clothes, but it didn’t stop goose pimples rushing over his skin.

‘I understand,’ he said thickly. ‘I know this ordeal has been frightening for you, but I will keep returning to let you know what’s happening. I shan’t leave you completely alone.’

Her little sigh of disappointment hurt him more than any physical wound he’d ever received.

He knew she didn’t feel the same way about him as he did about her. He’d had enough women. There were those that wanted to use him to slake their lust and those that thought they were in love with him. A woman who asked for passion was not one who wanted a husband. She wouldn’t even want to be his friend when she knew everything.

Their parting would be a wrench for him, but she would be reunited with her sister and would soon forget about the man who had kept her safe for a couple of days. Their kisses would be a tale she would tell herself when her husband bored her. A sweet reminder of a brief adventure she’d had when she was young.

‘Please promise me you won’t leave me for long.’

‘I won’t.’

Linota didn’t press him and he was glad. He wasn’t sure if he was promising to come to her or refusing to promise that he would. It was something on which he did not want to dwell.

Borwyn’s walled town came into sight as a vibrant sunset finally faded into softer pinks.

‘I didn’t realise Borwyn’s settlement was on the sea,’ she said as they rode along the path, Cai’s hooves kicking up puffs of sand.

‘Borwyn’s assets rely heavily on being an important trade route,’ he told her.

‘Hmm,’ she murmured, staring out towards the now darkening water.

He smiled against her hair; he guessed trade routes weren’t exactly the most scintillating topic of conversation. This was part of the adventure she wouldn’t be telling her grandchildren about.

‘I’ve never seen the sea before,’ she mused.

‘What do you think of it?’

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