Page 71 of Alliance Bride
“Good.”
He lingered a heartbeat more before turning to mount his horse. From the saddle, he gave her a final nod. A wordless farewell. Before he turned toward the road, his attention shifted past her, straight to Aevar. They shared a brief look, heavy with unspoken meaning. Then he gave the order to move, and the group rode out.
Eadlyn stood motionless, watching them go. The pain swelled in her chest, but not as paralyzing as the first time. As the sound of hooves and wheels faded down the road, she pressed her hands together and prayed—for Galen’s safety, for Essix, and for the day he might return.
She sensed Aevar join her. The gravity of his presence beside her was unmistakable. When she turned, he was already watching her.
“Do you wish you were going back with him?”
His voice was calm, but beneath it, something heavy rested. He was offering her a choice. No resistance. No persuasion. If she said yes, if she so much as hinted at wanting to leave, he would not stop her. He would let her go.
She looked once more at the empty road, dust still floating in the morning light, and turned back to him.
“No. I wish he could stay, but I have no desire to return to Essix.” She reached for his hand, slipping her fingers into his. “My place is here. With you.”
The truth of it settled over him, easing his posture, and the uncertainty in his eyes gave way to something deeper. Something a lot like hope.
Chapter Twenty-six
Eadlynsmiledtoherselfas she gathered her clothing for the day. She thought of her new blue dress, but it still needed more stitching for the trim. She hoped to have it ready in time for the Midsummer celebration everyone had been buzzing about all week. It would be a perfect opportunity to wear something new.
Yet, a different dress was bound to turn heads today.
“What’s that look for?”
She snapped her head up. Aevar stood near the door, watching her. So much for stealth.
“Nothing.” She answered too quickly.
He peered at her. “You’re hiding something.”
“Iam not hiding anything.” But the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
He tilted his head skeptically.
She lifted her brows. “Are you going to leave so I can get dressed, orjust stand there?”
A slow, roguish grin curved his mouth as his gaze flicked to the clothes in her arms before meeting her eyes again. He probably would stand there if she let him. A little heat crept up her neck.
“Will leaving get me answers any faster?” he asked.
“Maybe.”
“Then I guess I’ll leave.”
He took his time, letting his attention linger on her one final moment before slipping out. As soon as the latch shut, she fanned her cheeks. If he kept looking at her like that, she would melt faster than butter left near the hearth.
When she stepped into the hall, she found no sign of Ranvi or the children besides Trygg, who was already bouncing between the benches like a rabbit. Aevar stood with his brothers and Kian, but the moment she entered, his attention locked on her. She kept her face neutral, doing her best not to react under his scrutiny.
A few minutes passed before anyone else noticed Ranvi’s absence.
“Is Ranvi feeling all right?” Runar asked.
Erik shrugged. “She was fine when we got up. Maybe Alvir is fussing.”
A moment later, the bedroom door opened. Ranvi emerged with Alvir toddling beside her and Katla close behind. She wore the deep green gown she’d chosen from Eadlyn’s collection, trimmed in black and gold silk, with a matching sash. Her hair was styled in the Essian fashion Eadlyn had taught her yesterday.
Erik glanced at her and looked again. “What’s this?”
