Brynn reached for his hand.He lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing the backs of her knuckles.Warmth radiated up her arm from everywhere his mouth touched.
He folded her hand in both of his and laid it in his lap.They sat like that, silent with Kalen tending the fire and Esa quietly moving about the tent and the campsite.There was so much to say and yet nothing seemed quite adequate.
After a time, Cenric stroked his thumb across the backs of her knuckles.“You’re worth it, Brynn.”
“What do you mean?”
“Whatever happens next.Whatever this costs…” Cenric turned her hand over, fingers tracing the lines of her palm.“I won’t trade you.”He met her eyes.“Not for all the silver rings in Kelethi.”
A lump formed in Brynn’s throat.He was saying he’d fight a losing battle with his old mentor rather than turn her over.“Your people.”
“You are first among my people,” Cenric grated.“Don’t try to talk me out of this, Brynn.”
Brynn inhaled a shuddering breath.
Cenric leaned over, brushing his lips against hers.It was a soft kiss, gentle.A promise.
Brynn closed her eyes as he rested his forehead against hers.She tried to soak in the comfort of his presence.
She had this moment.She had these past few months.No matter what came next, what monsters broke free of the forest, or what Ovrek and his people tried to do, at least she had been with a man she loved.No one could take that away from her.
Cenric wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against his chest.Brynn curled against his side, her heart aching.
Why did war always have to come?Why couldn’t she just be happy for once?
Snapper flopped onto his side, wrestling with Guin over the rag.Growling with her tail stiff, Guin jumped on him, giving her best fight.
Brynn wondered if she would ever see Ombra again.Would she ever return to that wild land with its mountains, ancient trees, and surging rivers?Or would she die here on this strange island?Would Ovrek at least let Cenric bury her in Ombra?She would want that, she thought.She’d want to be buried near Cenric.
Cenric brushed back her hair, tucking the loose strands behind her ear.Her husband might be a fierce warrior, but he was a tender lover.His gentleness made her heart melt every time he touched her.She’d never known a man could be this loving.
They stayed like that, Kalen and Esa remaining silent and out of the way.The poor youngsters probably didn’t know what to do any more than she and Cenric did.
Brynn desperately tried tofeelas much of Cenric as she could.There was nothing she wanted more than to bathe in the warmth of his arms forever.
Someone approached.Valdari voices chattered near the edge of camp.
“Is that Hróarr?”Brynn asked, lifting her head.
“No.”Cenric rose as a figure clad in red swaggered into the fire’s glow.
Tullia looked magnificent, as she always did.She had a new set of temple rings, and the pelt of a red fox draped over her shoulders as a stole.Her eunuchs flanked her, as did several maids, including Lena.
Lena trembled in the back, head down and shaking.
“Lady Tullia.”Cenric inclined his head.“I was not expecting you.”
“We have some things to discuss.”Tullia glanced around the campsite.“Lady Brynn!So glad you have returned to us.Did you find your exploration of our island to be pleasant?”
Brynn was not sure if that was meant as a joke.
“Come.Walk with me, both of you.”
Cenric cast a look to Brynn, almost as if he was asking permission.
Brynn didn’t know any more than he did.Rising, Brynn took his hand.They weren’t about to defy Ovrek’s daughter.“Wait here,” she instructed Esa and Kalen.
Cenric repeated the order to his thanes, not taking his eyes off Tullia.However Cenric felt about the Valdari king’s daughter, he did not trust her right now.
