“Daz?”
I turned back, trying not to see… all of her. “Yes?”
“Is this why you… packed up your things and left?”
I nodded. “It was just… too hard to be around you. I tried to tell you and couldn’t. And I couldn’t live with my cowardice around someone so brave and strong.”
She nodded slowly. “I… I hope you’ll come back,” she said, but her tone sounded like she was questioning herself. Maybe that was a question for me. If so:
“I will. I always will.”
She nodded.
“Take as much time as you need,” I said softly. “You’re still recovering from your healing and… now you have this to think on. I’ll go get my things from where I’m staying and return.”
She nodded.
I left, walking taller than I had in some time. I’d finally done it. I’d told her I loved her. I still didn’t know how things would work out, but that didn’t matter so much as the need to have this out in the open.
Now everything was in her hands.
I hoped she felt the same way… or at least would come to, given time.
Yet, when I returned with my things later that night, she was gone, her bed empty.
CHAPTER 17
Tisera
I couldn’t rest,tired as I was. Daz’s revelation had left me stunned, with a mind too whirling and boggled to sleep. I rose and threw a shirt on, not bothering to change out of my leggings. I didn’t plan to go far.
Daz’s healing had left me feeling energized. Fatigue would set in again soon, but after the rest I’d had that afternoon, I felt good enough for a bit of a walk.
I left the cabin and my feet led me to the small, one-room hut next to the barn, where Shorine and Avela lived. Despite the late hour, I could see light through the windows and knocked lightly on the door.
Avela answered. As she did, a grumbling voice from within mumbled, “Talk outside.” Shorine must have been trying to rest.
Avela grabbed a light shawl and the small candle-lantern she’d had lit and slipped out.
“Mistress Tisera, I’m glad to see you well.” She looked a bit haggard and worn herself.
Some distant part of my memory — feverish and hazy as it had been — recalled seeing her as I’d stumbled down the lane and into the house.
“Did you… get Daz?” I asked softly, making that connection now. “Did you know where he was?”
She grimaced, clearly abashed. “I did, yes.” Which answered both questions. “He was so distraught when he left. He said he’d be at the Blue Goose for a few days. That he needed some time and space to think about things.” She looked at me directly then. “And bythings, he meant you.”
Oh.
Avela and I sat on one of the benches under the trees beside the well. “Did you… know… how he felt?” I asked.
“Yes.” She sighed heavily.
“I…” I couldn’t quite make sense of this. “Aren’t you and he…? You spent so much time together in the garden and you’re a beautiful woman and… I just assumed he saw you that way and…”
She laughed a little. “I…wasinterested in him, yes, but he never felt the same for me. He’s always loved you. My charms were lost on him.”
“I find that very hard to believe.” Avela was the picture of womanly beauty: a perfect hour-glass figure, curved and full, with that gorgeous blond hair and golden eyes, like a sunrise.
