Her mouth tightened. “Says the man who accepts rumors about my father’s knowledge of portals without proof.”
Noah smiled despite himself. “Touche.”
She laughed with him as the tense moment passed. He’d pushed as far as he dared for now without risking alienating her. Besides, the pull to indulge himself in her company was too strong.
As they moved deeper into the library, she pointed out several of her favorite volumes, briefly explaining what was in them. He watched her closely, struck by her extensive knowledge as she touched on a broad selection of topics.
“You’re very well-educated,” Noah observed. “You must have had tutors?”
“No. The distance… My father said it was not possible.”
“Quite a feat, learning all you have on your own. I’ve always assumed books could only teach so much, that you needed experiences to teach the rest. If not your own, then at least someone else’s.”
He’d hoped she’d open up about her father’s experiences. Perhaps share places he’d talked about or things he’d told her that might reveal some useful information Noah could use to locate the portals.
She gave him a challenging look. “Isn’t that what books are? Someone else’s experiences?” Before he could form a response, she continued. “What has experience taught you?”
Noah considered his earlier life before the storm changed it, colonial Boston with its narrow streets and bustling harbor, his parents, siblings, and the life they’d built. His plans to complete his apprenticeship, become a master cartographer and join exciting expeditions mapping out new routes in undiscovered regions.
The night he and Emily had been carried away flashed in his mind.
He stifled a groan at the irony. That old dream was gone forever, yet here he was in the most distant of lands, searching for a route to yet another time.
“It’s taught me that nothing is permanent,” he said quietly. “That the world as you know it can change in an instant.”
“Yet there are also constants to hold on to. Like this room,” she said, glancing around. “Whenever I feel lost, alone, happy or sad, whatever I need, I can find here.”
Noah wanted to challenge that limited thought. But he couldn’t bring himself to take it from her. He knew she knew better. He saw no benefit in pointing it out.
“Emily would love this room,” he smiled, wanting to put some joy back on her face. “Paige, our mother, would enjoy it as well. Even Taran, I suspect. We all would. But Emily craves nothing more than books and learning. Paige does the best she can with the handful of books available in Havenwood, but Emily is always hungry for more. I can’t even describe how happy something like this would make her. I’m sure she isn’t aware anything like it exists.”
As hoped, Skye’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to share it with her. When she’s well enough, of course.”
“Your father would allow that?” he tested.
Her smile faltered a little. “If not, I’d be more than happy to loan her anything she’d like. The same applies to you. Whatever you’d like.”
Noah looked at her for a long time, thinking of all that would have to be gained and lost for that day to come.
That Skye would count among the losses when they found the portal put an indescribable ache in his chest.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“As much as I enjoy spending time here,” Skye smiled, moving toward the door, “I’ve arranged for a light lunch on the west terrace. It’s lovely there this time of day and I thought you might enjoy eating a meal somewhere besides your chamber.” She turned at the door to face him. “If that suits you.”
“It suits me,” he replied, joining her. “Besides,” he teased, “I’m still your prisoner, bound to do your bidding.”
She glanced up at him, an irritated retort forming on her lips, before she saw his face and realized he was toying with her. “Be careful,” she laughed, “or I might begin to think of you as one.”
Laughing with her, he opened the door and followed her into the corridor where Keir anxiously waited, his face troubled.
“Ahh…Mistress Skye, I didn’t wish to disturb you, but?—”
“What’s wrong?”
“There are…visitors. Your father wishes?—”
“My family?” Noah interrupted, his heart lodged in his throat. They couldn’t possibly be back this soon, unless… “Has there been trouble?”
