Page 50 of Arrows and Gems
“You wear your hood up constantly because I’m here, but you would rather leave it down.” One side of her mouth curled up in a smirk. “And you hate it when I try to help with that.”
Her hand shot out, and he threw himself backward. Snagging her wrist, he held her away from his hood. They struggled for a few moments, but she had no hope of overcoming him.
So why did she keep trying? Did she hope to catch him off guard and pull it off before he could stop her?
Whatever her reason, it had dried her tears. She was smiling when she finally stopped fighting.
“Come on.” Cap rose to his feet, pulling her with him. “You look like you’re over your homesickness.”
“I wasn’t homesick,” she protested, bending down to pick up her cane. As soon as she was steady, he released her wrist. “I was just...”
“Missing your brother?” Cap suggested with a raised eyebrow she couldn’t see.
“Remembering the reasons I won’t go back,” she corrected fiercely as she hobbled toward the fire. “No one may want me, but at least here, no one wants to use me.”
Cap’s mind curled around his new pieces of the puzzle as he trailed behind her. He understood how a young, titled woman could feel as if those around her wanted something from her instead of wanting her for herself. But who was trying to use her? Someone back home?
Or General Valentin?
CHAPTER 19
Helena
The summer sun has come and gone,
And still I stand here waiting
Wondering how the world moves on
When all within me’s breaking.
‘Fear not, I’ll come,’ you promised me,
And hearing, I believed you.
But golden now are all the leaves
And still I’m here without you.”
Alanna’s voice was beautiful, but Helena blocked it out. Bad enough her pretty voice made Helena think of Axel’s performance at Katy’s birthday ball last summer; now, Alanna was singing of love lost. And if there was anything Helena wanted to avoid more than happy memories of home, it was that.
She glanced around the circle. The flickering orange light highlighted the contented faces of her companions. All except one: Le Capuchon leaned forward on his elbows with his face shrouded as always. His scruffy beard didn’t give much away, but he looked serious. As always.
What was he thinking about as he listened to Alanna’s song? Did he picture himself singing it to Daphne as Helena pictured Michael?
Fiddling with her cane, she considered retreating again. This time, she would slip away into the trees where she couldn’t hear the song and where no one would find her. Not even awell-meaning, hooded bandit.
She should have kept quiet rather than cover her distress with teasing. Then maybe he would have left her on the edge of camp where she could be as alone as she felt. It hurt less that way.
When the song ended, Helena dutifully clapped with the others. The next was a light, happy piece, so she pasted on a smile to match.
Le Capuchon’s face turned toward her and for a moment, she wondered if he saw through her façade. Then he turned back to Alanna, and Helena felt her traitorous heart sink.
It had no business caring. Men were all the same, and she didn’t want to waste her time or energy on another.
She peeked over at him. Loathe as she was to admit it, his silent presence had been surprisingly comforting. It would have been nice to stay sitting on the edge of camp with him, even if he didn’t come with her brother’s affection.
Helena wasn’t interested in a suitor, but maybe she could use a friend.
