Page 39 of Arrows and Gems
Her mouth snapped shut. Questions about her history were dangerous for her anonymity.
“I think we met when I was...” Her mind raced. They wouldn’t know if she lied, but the truth was easier to keep straight. “Eight, maybe?”
“Eight?” She could hear a mild frown in Le Capuchon’s voice. “I’m surprised she’s never mentioned you.”
“Strangely enough, she never mentioned you, either,” Helena retorted with a bright smile. “I had no idea she was friends with a couple of outlaws.”
“It’s safer that way,” he murmured. “For all of us.”
Their path began to slope downhill, and Helena adjusted her position in the saddle. Riding without the reins left her strangely off balance.
Jean-haut cocked his head to the side. “Wait. If Marielle didn’t tell you, then how did you find us?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Le Capuchon replied for her. “She was spying. That’s what spies do.”
“I wasn’t spying,” Helena protested. Giving Farrell’s ribs a light squeeze with her knees, she managed to draw even withhim for a few moments. “I was taking a walk. Stumbling upon the three of you was an accident.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t keep you from leaving.”
Helena lifted her chin. “She couldn’t have stopped me if she’d tried. But I didn’t give her the chance.”
“Thatdoesn’tsurprise me.” Le Capuchon took another few steps, then stopped in his tracks. Spinning on his heel, he gave her a glimpse of his nose as he stared straight at her. “You at least left her a note, didn’t you?”
Helena shifted in the saddle. She shouldn’t have to explain herself to an outlaw, but his disapproval stung. “I didn’t have time for that. Besides, I didn’t want her to come after me.” She doubted her cousin would have approved of her plan, regardless of her reasons.
“So instead, you let her worry?” He shook his head and started walking again. “You’re a very inconsideratefriend.”
“I didn’t leave a note for my family, either!” Helena said defensively. “Escaping Himmelsburg takes planning. I couldn’t risk someone finding the letter too soon.”
“Unbelievable,” he muttered.
“Careful, Cap. You’re sounding awfully concerned about someone you think is the General’s spy,” Jean-haut observed, his voice tinged with amusement.
Helena didn’t see anything funny about the situation. “And I suppose you left a note for your family when you ran off to the woods? Do you exchange regular letters to ease their minds regarding your safety?”
“That’s different.” Le Capuchon’s spine straightened. “I didn’t have the opportunity to tell them. And it’s better they don’t know where I am.”
“Yes, I’m sure your mother would be very disappointed,” she drawled. Resting her elbows on her knees, she leaned forward. It felt rather precarious on a moving horse, especiallywhen her ankle wouldn’t let her grip properly with her knees. “Most mothers don’t hope their little boys grow up to be outlaws. But surely Daphne is concerned about you?”
“You are likely right on both counts.” His voice was as stiff as the passing trees. “But those facts don’t change my situation. I can’t tell them. Butyoucould.”
“I could tell your family where you are?” she asked innocently. “Does that mean you’ll tell me your name so I can find them?”
His head and shoulders drooped forward. When he lifted them again, his voice was calm and even. “No.”
“I believe he was referring to your family, Margit,” Jean-haut supplied helpfully when his friend said nothing else. “Or at least Marielle. If you write her a letter, Adrien will post it at the nearest village.”
“I suppose if I don’t, she’ll write my parents,” Helena mumbled. Sitting up again, she fingered the strap of her satchel. It and everything inside had come from her cousin. She didn’t want to admit it, but the bandit was right. Marielle would worry; Helena should have left some kind of message.
“Why don’t you want your parents to know where you are?” Jean-haut asked curiously.
Farrell stumbled on a rock, and Helena scrambled to catch herself. Once she was steady, she snorted and rolled her eyes at him. “I ran away, and I have no intention of going home. Why would I let my family drag me back?”
“Would they do that?”
She pulled her cloak tighter. “They’ve done it before.”
This situation was a little different than when she ran off to Daraigh, but she had no doubt Papa would send Axel to fetch her again. Either that, or Lord Carolus would; she couldn’t marry his son if she were hiding in Amitié.
