“Don’t be silly. We’ll share this one. I’ll not object to extra body heat, if it’s all the same to you.” She unfolded and tossed the blanket over the both of them, and they lay back. Harrison propped his forearm behind his head.
“I’m not sure your betrothed would approve of this arrangement.”
A bark of laughter issued from the princess. “I don’t quite care for his approval.”
Harrison was quiet. Aerity wouldn’t tell him of Lord Alvi’s affairs. She was certain Harrison already didn’t care for the man. Aerity lifted the blanket to her chin, her eyelids feeling heavy.
“Would you truly have married me if you’d killed the beast?” she whispered.
“If you had wanted me to, of course.”
She smiled to herself. “Even though you only love me as a friend?”
“Aye. I would have done whatever you needed of me.”
“And what of you? Don’t you want to find love someday?
He paused so long Aerity though he might’ve fallen asleep. She looked over at his wide eyes, staring at the night sky.
“Perhaps not everyone is meant to be with the one they love,” he said.
Aerity turned and propped up on her elbow to face him. “Do you love someone, Harrison?”
“All my life,” he said wistfully. “As long as I can remember.”
This shocked her to the core. She gave him a playful shove and demanded, “Who?”
“No one who loves me back.”
“Tell me!” She pushed him again, and he sat up, laughing. “Is it someone I know?”
Harrison took her by the shoulders and pressed her down, pulling the blanket up over her face until she laughed and flung it down. Then he kissed her forehead and lay backbeside her. “Never you mind. It was doomed from the start. Go to sleep, rebel princess.”
“Will you truly not tell me?”
“Truly.”
He was maddeningly private and always had been. Aerity was dying to know what secrets were held in that chambered heart of his, but she knew he would tell her nothing.
“Harrison . . . is your love a man or a woman?”
Harrison blinked up at the sky, his face filling with mirth. “I think I’ll not answer that.”
Worry struck her. “Have I offended you?”
“Nay. It’s fun to keep you guessing.”
She nuzzled her cold nose against the fabric at his shoulder. “Fine. I shall leave you alone. But your secrets would be safe with me if ever you decide to let them out. It can’t be healthy to keep things trapped within.”
“You’re probably right, but it would change nothing to speak of it. Now, worry not, and get some rest.”
She rolled toward him and took his arm in a hug, soaking in his warmth until she drifted to sleep.
By the fifth day of travel, Aerity began to experience a deep sense of pride that she’d never felt before—the pride of accomplishment. Out here, she had no maid to help her dress or bring her tea or warm her a bath. And she didn’t miss those comforts as much as she thought she might, though her scalp itched and her skin longed for the tropical oils she used dailyfor moisture. Caring for herself made her feel stronger. Capable. She wondered what Paxton would think of this version of her. The version with her hair wound into a bun, hands red from scrubbing stockings in a stream, eating stale bread and hardened cheese, and still smiling.
Her primary concerns were a sore bottom and aching legs. She did her best to stretch the muscles each time they stopped, reminding herself that this pain was temporary.
When they reached the River Kalor, Aerity immediately became nervous. It was deeper and rougher than the shallow part of the Eurona River they’d crossed.
