“Elliot.”
He lifts a hand, refusing to look at me now. “You’re right,” he says in a measured tone, like each word requires a good deal of effort. I can almost see his mind trying to make sense of this moment as he stares at the cobblestones between us. “I didn’t have enough information to assume the lurker was dangerous. But if I don’t factor in every possible threat, I can’t…” He looks up, his eyes stormy and his lungs heaving. “Ineedyou to be safe, Freya. If I don’t know that I’ve done everything in my power to make that happen, I’ll never…”
Though deep down I know it is a bad idea, I cross the distance between us and place my palm on his cheek. His skin is warm and rough withstubble, and his eyes are fixed on mine, so full of emotions that I could not begin to comprehend everything he is feeling right now. He cares so much, and I wish I knew what haunts him. Why he carries so much fear.
“Okay,” I say as gently as I can, as if using any force will frighten him away. “I will trust you, Elliot Reid, if you will promise to trust me in return. We need each other. Neither of us can do this alone.”
Exhaling slowly, he nods and wraps his fingers around my wrist, holding my hand against his jaw. Those emotions behind his eyes are still in full view, nothing hidden, and I might get lost in his gaze trying to decipher them. “I trust you,” he breathes, shifting infinitesimally closer. I feel each and every millimeter that disappears between us.
“You and I are still friends,” I remind him, though the words do not seem to fit like they did only yesterday.
Elliot does not acknowledge my comment, nor does he move until the guards open the door to the inn and tell him that the space is clear. His hand falls, as does mine, and we both seem to be waiting for the other to decide what happens next. Which of us is truly in command?
Perhaps there is not an answer to that, just as there is no word I can use for the feeling in my heart that grows stronger with each second I look into Elliot’s eyes.
Not one I can acknowledge.
Chapter Eighteen
Elliot
Hex:
I lost the lurker on the edge of town.
Elliot:
Keep searching.
Hex:
We’re sweeping the village again, but there are too many places he could have gone. The coast south of here is riddled with caves.
Ipressthetopof my phone to my forehead and take a deep breath. Then another. This isn’t what I want to hear, and instinct tells me I should be out there finding this guy. But a stronger voice in myhead disagrees.
If you are going to expect every stranger you come across to be inherently evil instead of choosing to trust them, then how can I expect them to trustme?
Freya’s right.
Elliot:
Give it another half hour, then bring the men back. Everyone needs to rest before we head to our next stop.
Hex:
Understood.
That should go for you too, El.
He doesn’t have to worry. I can barely keep my eyes open. I was already running on fumes, and today has been a beast of a day.
Not all of it bad. For the first time in a long time, I was enjoying myself enough to forget the heaviness of my role that had gotten almost unbearable since the start of the campaign. I could breathe again.
Let me help you be more than a bodyguard tonight.
It’s been hours since our dance, and I can still feel her in my arms.
Sander:
