Page 156 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“You don’t believe that,”
“Julian, I have to at leasttry.” She waved around them. “I arrived here with nothing and knowing no one. It was all I had to keep me going for a long time … and it’sso close.”
The words were a mirror to his own soul, and he hated it. How long had he spent—against the wishes of his loved ones—throwing himself into leveling up? Into searching the North? Into a single-minded task that was his reason for living? When he’d sought strength enough to protect his family, he’d forced his family at a distance to do it.
And Gerda had been trying to keep that same distance with him from the first day.
“Alright,” he said, emptiness settling into his heart. He forced a smile. “I’ll escort you to your bridge. As promised.”
“Julian—”
“And you’ll show me to my dungeon,” he spoke over her, not sure he could make this choice again if he didn’t say itnow. He couldn’t even look at her, turning to face the kitchen window and the icy blizzard outside. “And we can let Fate decide.”
Green arms wrapped around his stomach. Julian’s black hands hesitated only a second before settling over hers. She pressed her face into his back. “I’m sorry … and thank you.”
They stood there for a while, quietly.
The tea on the table had long grown cold.
CHAPTER 85
Why Was He So Stupidly Hot
Gerda
I woke up in Julian’s arms, sore and tired, with a notification blinking at me.
[Prerequisite Achieved. Would you like to have a child with Julian von Slyke? Yes/No]
I flushed and mentally selectedNo. That’s what I got for exhausting myself and falling asleep right away.
If I’d thought that telling the half elf my secret was going to push him away … then I’d failed spectacularly. After a tense silence that had stretched on forever, he’d turned, swept me into his arms, and told me to bring us here, where he’d shown meexactlywhat I was giving up in my quest. No dinner. Not much sleep. Just a break for water.
My stomach told me how it felt with a loud rumble and Julian’s arms tightened around me. He took a deep breath. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I replied, surprised by the lighthearted greeting.
He’d been everythingbutsweet last night.
Julian let go and slipped out of bed to go to the washroom. When he came out a few minutes later, he was drying his body with a towel.
“I’m ravenous,” he said, smiling at me. “What say I make breakfast today?”
“Alright,” I replied, sitting up nervously with my blanket up to my chin. Not because I thought he’d jump me again. No. I just wasn’t expecting the casual return to routine. Like last night hadn’t even happened.
He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. “Let me into the kitchen, and I’ll have it done by the time you’re out.”
I nodded, connecting the bedroom door to the front entry. Julian threw on fresh clothing from his storage ring and slipped out.
I was left alone.
For some reason, I didn’t want to get out of bed. I didn’t want to do anything. I wasn’t ready. When was the last time I’d slept in?
The sun shone outside on a bright field of flowers. A white stag was grazing at the banks of the river, and butterflies flitted about. I lay back down and covered my head with the blankets but couldn’t go back to sleep. I was too hungry and too on edge.
Fifteen minutes later, I gave up and went to the bathroom. I felt like one of Keith’s golems, going through the motions: washing, dressing, and tidying up.
For a second, I wondered if I was actually dreaming, but a pinch on the cheek proved otherwise.
