They walked in silence for a while.
“Any news?” Lily asked.
Oskar had gone to the guild house this morning for a report, just as he’d done every morning since the Order had started sweeping the city for Alfred Brewer.
“Nothing. It’s like he’s a ghost.”
She sighed and they went back to walking in silence. She found herself wanting to say something to close the distance that had grown between them and felt a little annoyed with herself about that. He was the one who had caused it so he should be the one to apologize!
They turned a corner into a street full of people. Market stalls lined it on both sides and the noise of brisk trade filled the air.
“I dinna like this,” Oskar said under his breath. “Too many people.”
Lily ignored him and carried on walking, her eyes darting to the goods displayed on the market stalls. He crossed his arms over his broad chest and followed.
Ah, it felt so good to be outside! Around her, the air was thick with the scent of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine, and the sounds of laughter and cheerful greetings filled her ears. The stalls sold everything from handmade ceramics to warm furs. Holly and ivy adorned the wooden buildings, and garlands of evergreens were strung from one end of the market to the other. A young girl juggled apples for coins thrown by passersby, while a troubadour strummed his lute and sang about the coming of Yule and the promise of new beginnings.
“Isn’t it lovely?” she said to Oskar, smiling.
“Aye, I suppose. I’m just glad to see ye happy, lass.”
She looked at him. Her fingers itched to reach out and touch him, to run her fingers through his hair like she had that night he’d kissed her. But it was Oskar’s eyes that really held her. They were intense, filled with a spark of...something. Something thatmade her feel alive, like she could jump off the edge of the cliff and know she’d fly. Her breath quickened.
“Lily,” he said, his voice soft as he finally broke the silence. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a poor companion lately.”
“You haven’t been my companion at all, Oskar. You’ve barely spoken to me.”
“Aye, that’s true,” he admitted, meeting her gaze. “I’ve been foolish. I’ve been...angry.”
“At Bryn Fletcher? At Alfred Brewer? Or at me?”
Oskar shook his head. “At myself.”
She wiped a hand across her face. “How about we just enjoy the day, eh? Come on, even you must like Christmas!”
“Christmas?”
“Yule,” she corrected with a laugh. “It’s only a few weeks away isn’t it? Come on, let’s walk around and pretend everything is okay. We’ll figure out the rest later.”
Oskar nodded, and they resumed their stroll through the bustling market. Lily tried her best to focus on the festive atmosphere, but every so often, her thoughts would drift back to their conversation.
I’ve been foolish. I’ve been angry.
She noted the way his broad shoulders moved under his thick cloak, the way his boots crunched in the snow as they walked. His eyes were never still, scanning the surroundings continually, alert for danger.
Who was he, really? The street-thug who had beaten up Bryn Fletcher and his gang? Or the man who had carried her through the snow when she couldn’t walk, the man who had slept on the floor outside her room to keep her safe, the man who had risked his life to rescue her from Fletcher?
She shook her head. It was all so confusing.
Rounding a corner, they stumbled upon a lively group of musicians playing jovial tunes on bagpipes and drums. A groupof people danced in circles around them, laughter echoing in the air.
Lily smiled. “Dance with me,” she said suddenly, reaching for his hand.
“What?” he said, startled. “I canna—”
But she pulled him into the crowd of dancers before he could protest. She could see the muscles in his jaw clench and unclench but the shadows in his eyes softened as he gave in. His strong hand engulfed hers.
“All right, lass,” he said gruffly. “If ye wish to dance then we’ll dance, but dinna blame me if we both end up flat on our arses. Dancing isnae one of my many talents.”
