She whirled around and flitted away, leaving the two of them alone by the door. Eramus turned to Kieran, whose face was as firm as stone. "I…Kieran, if I had known—"
Kieran lifted his hand to stop him. "Don't worry yourself over it. Evree is spirited, just like her mother was. When she wants something, she doesn't hesitate to go after it."
Eramus tilted his head. "Wants something?"
The man's firm expression cracked into a small grin as he chuckled. He offered no response to the question, instead moving across the room to sit down.
Wants something? What did he mean by that? Surely Evree didn't want…
Eramus pushed the thought away. He could not linger on that right now. Evree had invited him without her father's knowledge, and her actions put him in a difficult position. He'd arrived believing he was welcome in their home, but now he wasn't so sure. Kieran seemed to accept the situation, but that was not the same as approval.
He joined Kieran at the table, and the two of them sat in silence. Eramus searched his befuddled thoughts for something to say. He found no success in the endeavor, and relief flooded over him when Evree glided into the room and placed trays of food before them. She sat down, her demeanor as cheerful as ever.
"I'm happy you could dine with us tonight, Eramus," she said, flashing him a smile that made his stomach flutter.
He needed to respond but had no idea what to say. He was happy Evree had invited him, but he couldn't express that with Kieran scowling right next to him at the end of the table. Eramus had yet to determine whether his presence angered the man, or if he merely found him inconvenient.
"I appreciate the offer," he said, avoiding Kieran's gaze. Hopefully, those few words would suffice.
"It's the least we could do," she continued, and Eramus thought his pounding heart might kill him before the meal was through. "You saved us both from injury, if not something worse. The village should honor you for what you did. Wouldn't you agree, Papa?"
Eramus chewed the inside of his cheek and lifted his gaze just enough to glimpse Kieran's expression. His dark eyes pinned Eramus in place. "Is that what you want? To be honored for your heroism?"
"No," Eramus answered. "No, sir. I don't wish for honor or praise. That isn't why I saved you."
"Then why did you do it?"
Eramus turned to face Kieran fully. Did the man believe he had only acted because he would be revered? That certainly wasn't how things turned out, nor was it the reason he had revealed his power. The notion made Eramus's blood boil.
"Because it was the right thing to do!"
His chest heaved with his heavy breathing. Kieran's stoic expression remained unchanged. What was he thinking? He'd allowed Kieran to get under his skin. But he shouldn't have to defend his actions, especially when they had saved two people from harm.
Kieran sighed. "Forgive me, Eramus. I did not wish to sound accusatory. You are a good man and I am grateful for your willingness to help both me and my daughter in our time of need. I imagine your actions have already caused you to suffer, and I am sorry that you must endure hostility from our people. You do not deserve that."
The pounding in his chest eased. "I appreciate that, but I also understand their concerns. My power…not having a clear understanding of it worries me. I wish I knew more about myself so that I might alleviate their reservations and my own."
"Inara always said you couldn't remember anything about your past," said Kieran, curiosity filling his tone. "Is there nothing from before you came to the village that you can recall? No family or details of where you came from?"
Eramus shook his head. "No. I'm afraid I can't remember anything before the day she found me on the beach. Sometimes there are voices, like distant memories attempting to break the surface, but I can't seem to connect them with whom they belong."
Evree placed her hand on her chest, her green eyes full of sympathy as they reflected the flickering light of the candle in the center of the table. "I can't imagine how scary that must have been. A child, all alone without even memories of who they are…" Her voice trailed off and several moments of silence ensued.
"Well," said Kieran, wiping his mouth with a piece of cloth. "Regardless of where you came from, I am grateful you are here. If there is anything I can do to repay you, name it."
Eramus hesitated for a moment. He had never expected payment of any sort; he still didn't, but there was one thing he wanted—to court the man's daughter. Now, however, probably wasn't the best time to ask. Kieran was a hard man to read, and Eramus would need to spend more time in his presence before making his request. Rushing into this might ruin his only chance.
"I don't expect any sort of payment. I'm just glad that you are both safe."
Kieran's intense study left Eramus fidgeting in the chair. For a moment, Eramus had believed he won the man over, or at least made progress, but that stern expression could make even the sun question its reason for existence.
"It's growing late," said Kieran as he rose. Eramus and Evree stood, too, just as Kieran cleared his throat. "Thank you for joining us."
Evree bounded around the table to stand beside him. "May I walk you out?"
Eramus glanced at Kieran, hoping to decipher the man's opinion before answering her. The man unfolded his arms and swatted the air. "Go on. She wouldn't listen if I said no, anyway. Just don't give me any reason to chase you off."
Eramus swallowed hard. It wasn't the most reassuring response, but indifference was better than a flatno. Evree wrapped her hand around his arm, and his heart picked up speed. When they passed through the cottage door, moonlight illuminated her face. His breath caught.
