Page 70 of Alliance Bride
“You’ve always been the only true father I’ve ever known. Blood or no blood. It makes no difference.”
Something both gentle and fierce filled his eyes. “No. It doesn’t.” He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “And you’ve always been like a daughter to me.”
Her vision blurred, but she blinked the tears back. “Thank you. For everything.”
He nodded once, and no more needed to be said. They stood together a little longer, the fjord stretching out before them, untilthe wind shifted and the moment faded. Then they turned back toward the longhouse, their silence filled with quiet understanding.
After instructing Edgar and the other stable thralls to prepare the Essians’ horses for departure, Aevar walked the line of stalls, his boots thudding against the packed dirt. He stopped at Vega and Eydis’s stall. The filly whinnied when she spotted him, ears flicking, nose nudging at the wooden door. Aevar scratched her forehead, brushing his fingers over her soft coat. She was growing fast.
He still hadn’t taken Eadlyn riding like they’d talked about. A certain place came to mind, drawing a smile to his face. Maybe it was too soon… But things were progressing between them.
Heavy footsteps drew his attention. Galen approached, clad in mail like when he arrived, his expression unreadable. He paused at the stall. His attention settled first on the horses, then shifted to Aevar, measured and unflinching.
“Eadlyn seems genuinely happy here. And she cares for you.”
It wasn’t a compliment, but it wasn’t an accusation either. Just a truth he seemed to wrestle with aloud.
Aevar leaned back against the stall door, meeting the older man’s gaze. He didn’t respond. Not yet. He could sense more coming.
Galen’s jaw tightened. “She’s endured much hurt and mistreatment in her life. I’m warning you; do not add to that hurt.”
The threat carried weight, but Aevar didn’t take offense. Instead, something flared inside him, resolute and protective. “I won’t. You have my word. She told me about her father. Were he still alive, I might’ve broken the alliance to see him answer for it.”
That earned him the faintest twitch of a grim smirk. “I may end up liking you yet.”
Aevar gave a huff. “You’ve already threatened to kill me less than I expected. That’s progress.”
Galen didn’t laugh, but the stiffness in his posture eased. He looked at Aevar again, not like he saw him as a threat, but as someone who might understand the weight of what he was being entrusted with.
“Just take care of her.” This time, his voice wasn’t hard. It was quiet. Almost a plea.
Aevar nodded firmly. “I will.”
They held each other’s gaze. No more words, just silent accord.
Galen turned to leave. He took a few steps before glancing back over his shoulder. “If you ever take her riding and she insists on racing you, don’t take the bait. You’ll lose, and she’ll never let you forget it.”
Aevar chuckled. “Duly warned.”
The stable fell still again, save for the shift of hooves and the soft creak of old wood. Vega butted her head against his arm, insistent. Aevar rubbed her ears, letting his attention linger on the empty doorway.
“I will take care of her,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone.
And he would.
The yard outside the longhouse bustled with motion as the Essians prepared to depart. Eadlyn waited as Galen moved from person to person, offering parting words. His posture was relaxed now, no longer rigid with suspicion. He even joked with Braan, who laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.
And then he turned to her.
For a breath, neither of them moved. The reluctance on his face mirrored her own. But she smiled, even though her throat ached with the weight of unshed tears. She refused to let them fall. Tears would only make him worry, and he didn’t need to. Not anymore.
“Thank you for coming to check on me.” She kept her voice light despite the pain.
“I promised I’d get you out if I had to.” He glanced back toward the longhouse, to the people standing behind her. “But I’m glad you’re happy…even if it means leaving you here.”
A thousand memories passed between them. Lazy afternoons oftafl, walks through the city when she needed an escape, his steady hand shielding her from the worst of her father. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him with all her strength.
“I’ll return as often as I can,” he promised as they pulled apart. With the smallest smirk, he added, “I actually think I might like it here.”
