“And Nicholas saved you?” Elia asked, seeing her worried frown.
“Yes. Some men rode toward me with their swords swinging. They meant to kill me, but Nicholas stopped them.”
“Did he stop all of them?”
“I…I don’t remember.”
“Think,” Elia pressed softly, her gaze was serious. “Did any see what Nicholas saw and live?”
“Maybe.” Kes’ eyes opened with fear. “You think they will say I’m a witch?”
“They might, and if they know he cares for you, you become their greatest weapon against the man they could never beat before.”
Kes’ heart drummed hard. It felt as if it were thrashing in her throat. Why would she come all the way back here just to burn as a witch? No. Nicholas wouldn’t let it happen. He’d killed everyone who’d seen her. She was sure of it.
“There now. There,” Elia comforted. “I have said too much. I worry over things. ’Tis what I do.” She wiped Kes’ eyes. “Now then, continue with your story, dear one. Tell me, what ’tis like in twenty nineteen. You are very different from anyone I have ever known, especially for a woman.”
Kes forgot about witches for a moment. “In my time, women are very different, I’m very happy to report. There is still a long way to go though.”
“In truth?” Elia asked.
“I would not lie to you.”
Elia smiled and nodded. “What does Nicholas think?”
“I don’t know if he believes me, but he agreed to help me get back.”
They remained locked away in Kes’ room for the next hour, until they heard the guards outside announcing Nicholas’ return. They unbarred the door and waited for him to come. Elia was sure he would. Kes wasn’t as certain.
Elia proved to be correct.
He looked tired and anxious, but as handsome as any man had a right to be, dressed in his dark armor. His eyes glittered like diamonds under a charcoal sky when they told him about Richard. Actually, it was Elia doing all the talking while Nicholas unhooked himself from his armor.
She grew angry in the telling, like a protective mother bear. Something Kes hadn’t had in many years.
“He told her he would marry her just to—” Elia pushed up on her tiptoes to whisper the word in his ear.
Kes never fought so hard not to smile. She wouldn’t tell Elia that she’d heard the word a gazillion times.
When Nicholas clenched his jaw and drew his hands into fists, Kes smiled at him. “Listen,” she said softly, coming closer. “Words like that don’t offend me. He’s a jerk. So what?”
“His thoughts of you are dangerous,” her knight muttered.
Oh, would she ever stop considering him her knight?
“I must confront him.”
“No,” Kes said, reaching for his hand.
Elia stepped back.
His large hand in both of hers made her ache to bring his fingers to her face. “I cannot change anything, Nicholas.”
“Just being here has changed things alre—” He stopped speaking and looked over at Elia, remembering that she was there.
“I told her,” Kes whispered, then let him go and closed her eyes when he cursed under his breath.
“Would you truly keep this from me?” Elia asked, looking at him.