There wasn’t one.But he couldn’t blame her for not believing that.
“And if I stay?”she finally asked. “What then? What exactly would I be doin’ at yer castle?”
“Recoverin’.Eatin’ proper meals. Sleepin’ in a real bed.” He shrugged. “Beyond that? Whatever ye want. Read in the library. Walk the grounds. Sit and stare at the wall if that’s what pleases ye.”
“For how long?”
“As long as ye need.”
“And then I’m just…free to go?”
“Aye.”
She turned back around,facing forward. Her hands had released his arm at some point, and now they twisted together in her lap. Elijah could practically hear her thoughts racing.
“I daenae trust ye,”she said finally.
“I ken that.”
“Ye’re toogood to be true. Men like ye daenae exist.”
“Maybe most daenae.But I’m nae most men, lass.”
“That’s exactlywhat a man who’s lyin’ would say.”
Despite everything,Elijah felt his lips twitch. “Aye, I suppose it is.”
They rodein silence for several minutes. The sun was climbing higher now, warming the air. In the distance, Elijah could see a line of trees that marked a stream—a good place to stop and rest.
“I need to think,”Piper said suddenly.
“About what?”
“About whether to believe ye ornae. About whether stayin’ with ye is better or worse than takin’ me chances alone.” She glanced back at him again. “About whether ye’re a liar or just insane.”
“Fair enough.”Elijah nodded toward the trees ahead. “We’ll stop there. Ye can think while the horse rests.”
“And if I decide to run?”
His jaw tightened.“Then ye’ll run, and I’ll wish ye the best of luck.”
It was a lie.If she ran, he’d follow. Not to drag her back, but to make sure she didn’t get herself killed within the first hour.
But she didn’t needto know that yet.
5
They rode in silence for another half hour before Elijah guided the horse toward a small stream that cut through the forest. The water burbled softly over smooth stones, and the surrounding trees provided welcome shade from the midday sun.
"We'll rest here,"Elijah said, dismounting first. He reached up to help Piper down, but she ignored his offered hand, sliding off the horse on her own—though not as gracefully as she might have hoped. Her legs wobbled slightly after so long in the saddle.
She moved immediatelytoward the stream, putting distance between them. Kneeling by the water's edge, she cupped her hands and drank deeply, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. Behind her, she could hear Elijah tending to the horse, speaking to it in low, gentle tones.
Piper glanced back at him.He wasn't watching her. Wasn't hovering. He'd simply let her go to the water while he saw to the animal's needs. It was... unexpected.
"There'ssome bread and cheese in the saddlebag if ye're hungry," Elijah called without turning around.
She wasn't.Her stomach was still twisted in knots. But she appreciated that he'd offered. Appreciated even more that he wasn't trying to force anything on her.
