This situation should have made her even more nervous of who her captor was, though oddly enough, it was a breath of excitement in her otherwise routine life.
Osiris pulled on her waist and she stopped moving. The next thing she heard was the sound of a chair being pulled back against the wooden floors.
“Please sit, Eleanor,” he asked gently.
Complying with his request she sat down, unable to help the blush that was more than likely creeping across her face. Each time he said her name she wanted to ask him to say it again and again.
Osiris pushed in her chair so that she could rest her arms on the table. His large hands were once again on hers, as he guided her fingertips to the fork and knife that were on either side of the plate.
“Please do not hesitate to ask if you need help, Eleanor.”
What is wrong with me?
Lifting the utensils, she carefully felt around the plate until she found the edges of the pancake. “Did you make this?” she asked, digging in her fork and cutting off a piece.
Osiris hummed. “Yes, it is not much, but I thought you might be hungry. Though, I must admit, I am not known for my culinary skills.”
Bringing the fork to her mouth, she took a bite. It was perfectly soft and deliciously sweet. Eleanor moaned softly as she raced for another taste. She was starving, and how long had it been since she could treat herself to something sweet?
“Do you like it that much?”
She paused, the next bite hovering in front of her mouth. Her face reddened and she began to lower her fork. “I am sorry, I did not mean to eat so much-”
Osiris grabbed her hand, stopping it from setting the utensil down. “Why apologize for such things? Please eat until you are full. I only ask because I wished to make something to satisfy you. Please eat, Eleanor.”
Eleanor nodded, lifting the fork to her lips once more.
They continued on in comfortable silence as she ate. Osiris didn’t once stop her or speak until she was done. The hunger that had been gnawing at her was sated, and for once, she didn’t wish for more. It was a feeling of true fullness that she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
After she set her utensils down, Osiris finally spoke. “We must discuss your being here.”
Eleanor nodded her head. “Yes, of course, I shall be out of your hair today. I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality.”
“Well,” Osiris started, hesitating before he continued, “I am not confident you will be able to leave today. Do you, by any chance, know where you are?”
“When we collided, I was heading into the Evermore Forest, but after that…” her voice trailed off.
Osiris hummed. “We are still somewhat within the Evermore Forest, but where we are, is dangerous. It was a risk bringing you home, and if you wish to leave, I worry for what might happen.”
“What do you mean?”
Osiris hesitated. “The woods can be a dangerous place, and if you are spotted, the locals might not fare well to your being here,” he started explaining. Eleanor could feel herself growing frustrated with the shroud of misdirection and mystery.
Eleanor sighed. “Then help me leave, Osiris,” she said bluntly.
“Well, it is not that simple. Where are you even going? Do you know? Do you have a map? Supplies? You have no horse, so do you intend to walk?”
His questions shot off as if he truly had been planning since he left her last night.
“Listen, Osiris, I am thankful for your hospitality, I really am. Still, I am leaving today. I can handle myself, so if it is bandits you worry about, then you can rest easy.”
“No, Eleanor,” he pleaded, “I do not mean to impose on your plans, but you do not even know where you are. If you wait a few days, mayhap I can acquire a horse or-”
“A few days?” she repeated, shaking her head. “I think I should go. If you could please show me to the door then I will be on my way.”
Eleanor stood up, pushing her chair back. She wanted to argue with him more, but he was a complete stranger. What good would arguing do when she owed him nothing?
“Eleanor, please,” he begged, “I promise, a few days and you can be on your way-”
