Silence settled around them, and Raven fell into a deep sleep, replaying the death of her father over and over in her mind as she cascaded into darkness.
Landyn woke with a horrible headache, shooting pain pulsing just behind his forehead. He sat up slowly and found the clearing empty. He looked for Raven as he sluggishly stood, but he couldn’t see her. The gaps in the trees didn’t yield any sight of her. Perhaps she had gone to tend to the horses near the stream? He made his way through the brush, stepping over a branch and strolling through the leaves to the stream. As he approached the gently rushing water, he spotted her bent over at the edge. Her feet were bare, her boots at her side. She leaned toward the water.
He trod on a twig, rustling leaves as he walked.
She whirled, shooting to her feet. When she saw him, her eyes widened, and her hands darted behind her back as if hiding something. Her hair was wet and hung in long dark locks over her shoulders.
He registered all of this, but his eyes shifted to her unlaced leather armor and the dark chemise she wore beneath. Both hung about her smooth shoulders. Her chemise dipped precariously low over her chest, revealing the delectable swells of her breasts.
They stood that way for a moment before Landyn was able to tear his gaze from her provocative curves. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” she said defensively.
He glanced at the stream behind her and then back. It was obvious she was washing. It wasn’t a sin. In fact, it was admirable.
“I mean…” She indicated the water with a flick of her hand while keeping the other behind her back. “Rinsing the dust off.”
“What’s behind your back?”
She delicately chewed her lower lip. “Nothing of importance.”
“Then show it to me.”
“You don’t need to know.”
He still didn’t trust her. Was it a dagger she was sharpening? Was it some kind of poison she was mixing?
And then his gaze dropped to her chest again. Was it some potion to entice him? He didn’t believe in magic or witchcraft, but some plants were known to have lust-inducing properties. His gaze locked with hers. “Show me.”
Her jaw stiffened, and her lips thinned. “Fine. Fine. If you must know.” She presented a small pottery jar with a cork in it. “Satisfied?”
“What is it?”
She shook it before him, and liquid sloshed inside. “A jar,” she said mockingly.
“What’s inside?” Poison came to mind again.
She hesitated, her gaze sweeping the trees behind him as if searching for an answer.
He held out his hand. “Give it to me.”
“No,” she snapped, drawing it to her chest and holding it protectively. “It’s mine.”
“What is it?” he demanded.
Raven sighed and rolled her eyes. “Willow made it for me. It’s rose water.”
He scowled in confusion.
“To make my hair smell good,” she clarified, as if to a simpleton.
He still didn’t understand. “Why were you hiding it?”
She dropped her gaze to the ground and stroked the pottery jar with her finger. “I don’t do things like this. I don’t care if my cheeks are red. I don’t care if my hair is a mess.” She looked up at him. “But I like the way my hair smells when I use this.”
Landyn stared at her, trying to hide a smile. Her beautiful blue eyes were vulnerable and conflicted. It was a simple joy. One that hurt no one. He would never fault her for it. In fact, he thought it made her more attractive. More precious. More beautiful if that was possible.
His eyes swept over her smooth, bare shoulders one last luscious time.
