She laughed because it was so close to her earlier thoughts – and so completely different. And even more appealing. “I will hold you to that.”
“But first, water, so that we can actually make it home.”
“I am completely in favor of that.” She rubbed her aching back.
He sauntered out of their little hiding place, his mood clearly improved.
She turned back with a smile, her insides still warm from that kiss. No point in trying to rest now. Instead she shook out the blankets and rolled them up, tying them tightly with the leather straps. Her dress was hopelessly wrinkled, but she straightened it as well as she could before forcing her half-boots onto her swollen feet.
Perhaps they could cover some ground before breaking their fast on the nuts and dried fruits in the haversack. That way they could —
“Arrêtez!” The man’s deep, angry voice sounded a short distance away. “Keep your hands where we can see them.”
Elizabeth froze.
“What seems to be the problem, my good man?” It was Darcy, sounding completely calm.
“You are under arrest, you filthy traitor, and now you are going to lead us to the dragons.”
“Dragons? How would I know where to find them?”
“Stop wasting our time with lies. The landed Talent in the village felt your power as you passed.”
“This is nonsense. I have no magic, and I already told you I am looking for a witch woman.”
And then Darcy’s voice sounded in her head, so sweetly familiar and yet full of pain.Stay hidden. I will lead them away. You must warn the Nest – and protect our child.
But –
Do not send! They may be tracking your Talent. Go home, I beg you. I will follow if I can.
If he could. Her heart plummeted. He was only a few feet away from her, but it might as well have been a thousand miles.
She would never see him again.
Every inch of her cried out to run to him, to somehow save him, or just to embrace him one last time. But it would be a heedless waste. It would only lead to her imprisonment, too, if not worse, and a loss of their child’s future.
“Bind his hands. Tightly.”
Darcy’s voice. “My right arm is useless.”
A snort. “A trick, no doubt. Tie them both.”
Darcy grunted in pain. Elizabeth fell to her knees, her hands clenched, biting her lip until she tasted blood.
“This is all a mistake. I can tell you nothing about dragons.”
“We shall see about that. Corporal, what does the lodestone show?”
“Just a tiny wobble.”
“It is him, then. Now,mon ami, do you wish to show us where the dragons are, or must we persuade you further?” The sound of a fist striking flesh.
Elizabeth rocked back and forth, tears burning her cheeks.
“This way,” Darcy gasped.
“Ah, that is more like it!” He sounded triumphant and Elizabeth wanted to kill him.
