Audrey touched her arm. “Take some of these to Evan and Leonard while they’re warm, will you? I assume you’re going to check on them? Here’s one for you.”
Brielle nodded. Audrey knew her routine well.
Evan would enjoy coming to the courtyard to watch the trading. Leonard might appreciate a few minutes of break, too.
A knot squeezed in her middle. Was she breaking the council’s command in her actions with Evan? She was walking a fine line; she knew that without a doubt.
She believed in her core that Evan didn’t intend to hurt her people, but his assertion that he’d only come exploring for the sake of exploring still didn’t sit right. As muchas she’d learned about him yesterday, he’d remained vague about that particular subject. She’d learned to trust her instincts through the years, and her instincts told her they didn’t know all of Evan’s reasons for coming to this part of the country.
And the council had to know everything before they would release him.
Maybe she could get a few minutes alone with her father to share how much she was coming to trust Evan. Perhaps he would be willing to speak to the others on Evan’s behalf. She’d have to be very careful about how and when she brought it up, though.
For now, as long as one of them stayed with Evan to guard him, allowing him to watch the fun in the courtyard shouldn’t violate the order.
After accepting the plate of rolls from Audrey, she left their chamber and turned right toward the storage room. At the door, she gave a warning knock before removing the bar and pushing the panel open.
After her usual quick scan around the room to make sure all was well, she did her best not to let her expression change as she focused on Evan. His face was flushed like he’d been taking exercise, as he did sometimes on the small confines of his fur pallet. The edges of his hair were dark and stood askew, like he’d pushed sweat up from his brow.
Every bit of him possessed the same appeal as the man she’d sat beside the day before.
She lifted the plate. “Audrey sent these for you both.” Then she forced her focus to Leonard. “Itchka and another man from his camp are here to trade. I’ll take our prisoner for some daylight and to watch the goings-on for a while. Youcan come with us or take a few minutes to yourself, whichever you prefer.”
Leonard pushed away from the wall. “I’ll walk out with you, then be thankful for a few minutes alone.”
Pleasure slipped through her. She would enjoy a few more moments alone to learn about this man who drew her like no other.
16
Brielle motioned for Evan to stand, and he sprang to his feet with one of those half grins that curled inside her and made her own smile so hard to hold back.
She looked away to lessen her struggle.
After she handed a pastry to each of them, Leonard led the way down the corridor, and she stayed beside Evan, eating her own roll as she walked. The space was only wide enough for two people to travel side-by-side.
As they passed one of the apartment doors, Evan pointed to the metalwork decorating the upper corners. “So much detail here. Who made these? I’ve noticed each doorway has something different.”
She gave a closer look at the decorations he pointed to. “Each family does their own, if they choose. My father made these and several of the others.” She couldn’t help the pride in her voice. His abilities were well known in the community. His and Uncle Carter’s, too.
As they continued down the rest of the hall, she gave each doorframe more notice than she usually did. Papa’s handwork stood out above the others, and not just because heloved to include intricate leaf details on each piece. He used so many layers in his detail; each leaf or scroll or vine stood out from the rest.
Evan looked like he wanted to stop and study some of them, but they kept walking. Better not to allow him special privileges very often.
When Leonard pushed open the outside door, Evan ducked away from the light as he usually did. A fresh twinge of guilt pressed on her. She hated keeping him confined to such a small dark space. Even after they added a fourth torch, the storage room still felt dim and smothering.
Leonard turned to them the moment they stepped outside. “When should I come back for you?”
She glanced toward the milling crowd gathered in the area they used for trading. The exchanges would take a while, as the natives loved to haggle. Even though everyone knew the standard prices her people charged. “An hour or so. Before the noon meal.”
He raised his brows. “Are you certain?”
She nodded. Evan needed fresh air, and she certainly didn’t mind spending time with him. She could work faster at her other duties later.
When Leonard turned toward his home, she slid a glance toward Evan. The corners of his mouth curved up as he met her gaze.
Then he turned his focus to the trading. “What goes on here?”
“One of the tribes come to trade.”
