Page 92 of The Sea Witch
He pressed the mug into her hands, and she swallowed some ale. “I’m sorry.”
“Either you hide the fact that you’re a witch, or they kill you. We all know this.”
“Time doesn’t make any of it easier,” he said gently.
“I go over it. Again, and again.” She nudged his hand away when he tried to give her more apple. “I could’ve learned their plans sooner and urged her to flee. I could’ve escaped faster to reach her before the mob pulled her from the prison.”
“Escaped?”
“Samuel locked me in the cellar that morning. Said he loved me too much to let me risk my life for someone guilty.”
“Christ.”
“I finally kicked the door open and ran but... I didn’t make it in time. They were gathered around her body when I reached the prison. Well, you saw it. It’s why I left Norham, otherwise it would have been my body swinging from a noose.”
“Jesus. Alys.” His voice was tight.
“I failed her. It won’t happen again.”
Ben was quiet for a moment. “I keep thinking... if I find his murderer...”
Her eyes were hot, and she blinked to clear them. “Then he’ll forgive you.”
“I’ll forgive myself. Maybe it’s a futile hope. Maybe... it’s all I have. Alys.” His hand rested on her shoulder. “Look at me.”
“I don’t want to forgive myself.” She pressed her hand over her eyes. “Leave me be, Sailing Master.”
“Ben.” His voice was gentle. “There’s no one here but us. You can call me by my name.”
“Ben.” She sat up a little. “A good name. Solid. Dependable.”
“Alys,” he murmured. “A good name. Sounds like music.”
She made a face. “A dirge.”
“A hymn,” he insisted. “Something soaring.”
She opened her eyes as a rueful laugh escaped her. “I’m not very good at flying.”
“You fly high enough. You mademefly. Roughly, granted, but it happened.”
“Susannah knows her way through the skies better than me.”
“Susannah didn’t help me to soar.Youdid.”
“Kept us alive, at least.” She shifted uncomfortably.
He was instantly alert. “In pain? I’ve asked too much of you with my questions.”
“I’m used to your prying.”
“Ah,” he said with a nod, “you must be on the mend if you can make fun of me.”
“Inch by inch, I’m getting better. Not enough to take up the glamour again.”
“Is there something else we can try? To balance you?”
She hesitated. Then took his hand in hers and brought it to her cheek.
