Page 92 of Arrows and Gems
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Margit had run from hers, but he ached to return to his. His forest family helped, but a year without his mother and siblings was a long time.
He searched her face. If he did return home someday, would she come with him? Make his home hers?
Or would she run from him when she learned the truth?
Margit’s face dropped. “Never mind. You don’t have to tell me.”
Her fingers slipped away as he struggled to decide. She was Ralnoran. She’d had poor experiences with men in the past. And her council wouldn’t approve of an outlaw.
But once he had restored the Amitian government to its rightful king, how could they deny one of their noblewomen to him?
As long as she was willing.
“General Valentin,” he said as she stood. “I need to prove he lied about Prince Raphael murdering the king.”
She paused, turning back to him. “You need to bring the crown prince back?”
Fingering the fletching of his arrows, Cap replied, “Yes. When it is safe for him to return, it will be safe for me as well.”
“What will it take to make that happen?”
“A miracle,” he said softly, looking away from her. Her cloak rustled as she settled next to him again. “It’s already been a year, and I can neither enter Laurier nor speak with any of the nobles or guards who might know something. They would not trust a stranger with such information.”
“None of them know you?” Margit asked with a raisedeyebrow.
“On the contrary. They would likely all recognize me, so I would have to wear my hood.”
Her other eyebrow joined the first. “I thought guards were invisible.”
Shrugging, he replied, “Royalty makes a difference.”
He could feel her disbelief, but she was silent as she leaned on her hand. Her shoulder brushed against his, sending tendrils of fire down his arm and across his chest.
Cap closed his eyes against the sensation. Did she know what such a simple touch did to him?
“Will you take me with you?” She bopped his shoulder with her own.
Tilting his head, he examined her teasing smirk. The one he wanted to protect, but that he knew would run toward danger instead of away.
“I already agreed to let you watch my back.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. I meant when you’re able to leave the forest.” She lifted a pointed eyebrow. “Will you let me come with you?”
Her voice was as challenging and strong as ever, but this time, he saw what he’d missed before: the uncertainty. The vulnerability in her eyes that the smirk was meant to hide.
A soft smile crept across his face. “Always,” he whispered.
CHAPTER 32
Helena
Through the misty woods I walk,
Holding you inside,
And everywhere that I may look,
