“No, the sheriff just wanted someone who could feed him information about King Richard’s numbers and strength. I took a job as a guard there to learn their habits.”
My mouth dropped. “You were spying on theking?But that’s treason!”
“No, it wasn’t!” Baron denied the accusation. “I was just getting information about the men at arms there. You know, habits, patterns, that sort of thing. We never planned a rebellion or takeover or anything.”
“But your information would have made a coup possible if the chance presented itself,” I pointed out.
Baron considered my argument. “I suppose. This was just before he left for the Third Crusade, and he took most of his men with him. I was asked to go with them, actually.”
“But clearly you didn’t.”
Baron hung his head, embarrassed. “Well, I said I would. But then the night before, I just…walked away. I went back to Prince John’s army. I thought at the time it was the right thing to do.”
How many times had Baron deceived people? How often would he do it in the future? As much as I wanted to believe that Baron would be loyal to me, I had to wonder if King Richard had felt the same thing. Very likely the sheriff had thought it as well. Why would I be any different? Little John had always drilled into our minds, “Once a traitor, always a traitor.”Was that true?
We foundan apothecary in a small village we passed through. Baron, the huge giant that he was, was the more conspicuous of the two of us, so it was I who tucked my giveaway red hair into a cap, pulled my cowl up close, and disguised my voice as I enteredtown. I purchased the necessary supplies for treating Baron’s injuries before leaving quickly, eager to avoid attracting attention.
That night, after I had tended to his wounds, Baron took the first watch and I fell asleep, but my dreams were marred and disturbing.
I dreamt that I was hurrying along a forest path, searching for my father. Eventually I came to a lake where I found him beaten, bloody, and barely gasping for his last breath. I called to him to stay with me, but he had been shot through the heart with an arrow. Baron came at that point. He held me and tried to comfort me, but as I clung to him, his face melted into the sheriff’s, who forced me back into chains, laughing as he dragged me away from my father’s body.
I screamed aloud, jarring myself awake, and felt my heart pounding frantically in my chest.
Baron hurried into the tent, sword drawn. “What is it?”
I shook my head and wiped sweat from my forehead. “Nothing. Just a bad dream is all.”
He re-sheathed his sword and crossed to me. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He kept looking into the corners of the tent as if expecting to see someone skulking in the shadows.
“I thought you weren’t supposed to be in here with me,” I said, trying to hide how terrified I had been upon waking.
“This doesn’t count.”
I let out a snort. “Oh really? It only counts when you say?”
“When a damsel is in distress?—”
“Excuse me?Damsel in distress?”
Baron was resolute. “Yes. I had to come make sure you were okay.”
I couldn’t help myself. I smiled. “That’s very gallant of you. If you weren’t so noble, you would have a future as one of my fellow outlaws.”
We sat together as the last tremors of fear from my nightmare faded, leaving me hollow and shaken. The quiet between us stretched thin and fragile. I secretly hoped he would slip an arm around me but Baron kept his hands firmly to himself, jaw tight, gaze fixed anywhere but on me.
Finally, I couldn’t stand the distance. I reached for his hand, but he pulled away at once, sharp and skittish.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. “We can still trust each other.”
“You shouldn’t,” Baron muttered. His voice was strained. “I don’t trust myself around you.”
My brows knit. “What are you talking about? You’ve never hurt me.”
He dragged in a long breath, then stared hard at the canvas ceiling as if it offered deliverance. “If I touch you right now…” His voice frayed. “I don’t know if I could stop.” He darted me a hesitant, sidelong glance. “You’re…extremely attractive.”
“Oh.” My heart thudded painfully. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I wasn’t sure if I should be alarmed or flattered…or both. I was utterly inexperienced at wanting someone back. Other boys had always been annoyances I had learned to shrug off.
But with Baron, Iwantedhim to notice me. I wanted him to want me. I wanted it so fiercely it scared me. He was the dangerous, forbidden reminder of everything I should despise. Yet the attraction pulled at me nonetheless. Temptation had never been more difficult to resist.
