Eva reached for Ethlinn’s arm to help her, realizing too late that it was covered in bruises.
Ethlinn winced, grabbing Eva for support. As Eva helped her to her feet, she noticed that the poor woman was skin and bone. “Have you eaten while you tracked your brother here?”
Ethlinn shook her head. “I foraged some tubers and wild garlic, but I haven’t had the energy to do much else. Normally I would hunt, but I’m having trouble even drawing my bow.”
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” Eva commanded, leaving no room for argument. “You give me the harp and I will return it to your brother. First thing tomorrow morning, you will meet me here and I will bring you a proper meal and as much as I can find to tide you over on your journey home. In exchange, I won’t say a word to Finn about any of this.”
“I’m not leaving until I get Finn out of the trials.”
Eva nodded. She could appreciate that sentiment. “Fine. But when you do, you’ll travel with proper rations.”
“He’ll think you stole it, you know,” Ethlinn remarked, handing the harp to Eva.
Eva shrugged. “I’ll think of something.”
Ethlinn looked as though she might hug Eva for a moment, but then her eyes went wide. “Someone’s on the trail,” she hissed.
“You go, I’ll handle it.”
Ethlinn squeezed Eva’s arm, mouthed “Thank you,” then disappeared into the woods far from the trail.
Just in time for Finn to emerge from the trees.
Eva heard Ethlinn let out a gasp, giving away her position nearby. Apparently, his sister hadn’t gone far.
Finn strode toward Eva, fire in his gorgeous blue eyes as they took in first her, then his harp in her arms.
He stopped just before he ran into her, his voice a low growl. “I think we need to have a talk.”
Chapter Twelve
“Eva,” Finn began,his voice tight with anger, “why do you have my harp?”
Eva opened her mouth several times, like a salmon washed ashore. Her eyes darted to the tree line behind him, before returning to hold his gaze.
“Did you sneak into my tent?”
“I, um.” Her eyes went to the tree line again.
Finn glanced behind him. Was she planning some sort of attack on him? What kept catching her eyes? He began scanning the trees himself, but she grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her.
“I did not sneak into your tent,” she answered at last. “And I did not steal your harp. Though,” her voice faltered, “I can see where it might seem that way.”
“Oh, can you now?” Finn crossed his arms but felt some of his anger abate. He wanted to believe her. “Then how is it you’ve come to be in possession of it?”
Eva rolled her lips together while she thought.
For the briefest moment, Finn wondered if they were as soft as they looked. Then he remembered that he was, in fact, furious with her.
“I, um, I was quite upset today,” she began tentatively. Unconvincingly.
“About what?”
“I’d rather not say,” she replied sharply.
Finn couldn’t hide his amusement. “And how will I know you tell the truth if I don’t know the whole of the story?”
“I doubt you’ll believe it either way.” The same fire he’d felt when he stormed onto the shore came to life in her emerald eyes.
