But all I saw was someone who helped without hesitation.
Her hair caught in the breeze as she walked down the dirt path. And then she turned.
She waved.
No one had ever waved to me before.
I stared, caught off guard. Then I lifted a hand and waved back.
And just like that, I knew.
I was starting to care.
And I shouldn’t.
I was a whaler. A huntsman. I lived at sea.
And, unfortunately, that life didn’t leave space for this.
CHAPTER TEN
MALIA
Ireturned when the moon shone through the windows and the crickets chirped.
I found Alaric on the settee, asleep.
Good.He needed the rest, especially after the long, strenuous walk today.
His long strenuous walk to find me…
And he didn’t have to tell me everything. I knew the twins were coming for me.
It was overwhelming. Should I stay? Should I flee?
I rubbed my temple, too exhausted to think clearly. My thoughts were like mud mixing into water.
Much to my surprise, the kitchen was all cleaned up, the soup put away in one of my wooden containers. I glanced at the whaler, his expression peaceful as he slept.
After he groomed and cleaned himself up, I couldn’t deny that he was even more attractive.
Malia, that’s so wrong,I thought. But was it?
A yawn escaped and I sleepily washed up for the night. I should’ve warmed some food up and ate, hungry as I was, but I was also too tired. The fireplace was going, and thenight had turned rather chilly. I sat in the rocking chair and fell asleep.
“Malia.”A warm blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and when I opened my eyes, Alaric knelt next to my chair, a bowl of steaming soup in his hands.
I blinked wearily. “You should be resting.”
The corner of his lip twitched, like he almost found this amusing. “I was resting. You should eat something.”
I was suddenlyveryawake. When was the last time someone cared for me? I grabbed the blanket self consciously. He’d done that too!
“Thank you…” I was so shocked, it took me a minute to start eating. Alaric got comfortable on the settee again, and I tried not to look at him too many times, my suspicion of him growing. Why was he being so nice? Surely there was some hidden meaning beneath it.
“Was the boy alright?” he asked, and I nodded.
“His wound was infected but I really think the salve will help. I made him some turmeric tea to help with the swelling and…” I paused, surprised that Alaric’s gaze was still on me, as if he found it all interesting… as if he foundmeinteresting. “You keep looking at me like that,” I said, not finishing my story.
