“It’s okay. You were right about that.” She tried to look away again, embarrassed about the confession she was about to make, but he held her gaze with such intensity she was hypnotized.
“You know I’m not often comfortable talking about my feelings, so please know I’m making an effort here.”
What was it about this new Alissa that made him want to hold her so bad?
“I have difficulty trusting people,” she said. “Last time I trusted a man, I ended up having to raise a baby on my own. But I want you to know that I do trust you, Eldric. I trust you with my life, and I’m so glad we found you on our way here. Freyah and I both would be dead if it weren’t for you, and I will always be thankful for that.”
His lips curved up in a shy smile, and she could swear his eyes were glowing.
Alissa took a deep breath. “But I understand if you would want to leave after I lied to you, now that you know our reasons to be here and that we made you into a fugitive. I won’t judge you.” She bit her lip, wishing she did not have to say it. “No matter what your decision is, whether you want to leave without us or not, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for us.Everything, Eldric.”
When he shut his eyes and they remained closed for way too long, Alissa feared his decision would break her heart.
Eldric had never believed in luck or coincidences. He believed there was a purpose behind everything. The moment he heard Alissa saythose words,he made sense of why they found each other so early on their path, why he had been tasked with bringing that shipment out of Bryniard right when she was hiding inside.
It can’t have been a coincidence.
When she poured her heart out to him, he knew that helping her save Dhalia and the people of Bryniard had to be his new purpose in life. Maybe it was always supposed to be this. Perhaps becoming a Royal Guard in Heldraine had only been the means to the end, the way he was meant to cross paths with her.
No matter what happened next, saving her people would be more honorable than anything he had ever done on behalf of the Crown. Now that he was free, he would truly devote the rest of his life to helping others. Eldric felt a wave of resolve rush through his mind and heart. He cupped Alissa’s face between his hands, his green eyes still fiercely looking at her.
“You said you trust me.”
“I do,” she confirmed in a murmur, her heart racing.
“Then trust my words, Alissa. We will find the cure for your daughter’s condition,together. And I will follow you back toBryniard to help your people. You can count on me for all of it moving forward.”
“Are you not mad I lied to you?”
Eldric was quiet for a moment, thinking about everything she had told him. “Not anymore,” he answered with a smile.
“I don’t deserve that much kindness from you.” Her tears were becoming more insistent, her heart full as those precious words were spoken. She was glad to have found someone else to trust, to help share the weight on her shoulders. Alissa closed her eyes—processing the last few moments seemed too much for her exhausted mind.
“We will save her, Alissa.” There was so much will and confidence hidden behind Eldric’s statement.
Alissa desperately wanted to believe him. “Do you promise?”
“I promise,” he said despite himself.
Eldric picked up the tray Desi had left behind when she was patching Alissa’s leg. His fingers gently traced the skin around her injury, sending a sequence of unwanted shivers through her. He finished Desi’s work with so much care and grace, Alissa wished she had never seen that side of him, only because she feared how it made her feel.
When he finished, he scooched in beside her, pulling her closer to hold her in his arms. When she started crying, her sobs didn’t frighten him; they only made him more certain of his decision. His fingers slid through the soft strands of her hair. He wished he could heal her physical and emotional pain from that hug, but her pain was far beyond that. He knew that now.
They had never been affectionate or sensitive to one another before. In fact, they had only ever shown each other their flawed sides. But right there in his arms, Alissa was overcome by an unexpected sense of calm and peace she had long forgotten. Being there with him felt oddlyright.
“Promise me you’ll be less of an idiot in the training sessions from now on,” she said.
Eldric couldn’t help but laugh. Even in times like this, her humor was on point.
“I shouldn’t make a promise I can’t keep, darling.” His eyes danced with amusement, a smirk on his lips.
Alissa pushed Eldric away with a grin, but it only made him strengthen his hold of her. They lay there for a while longer, recharging each other’s faith that everything would be alright in the end.
It was the first time she felt at home since leaving Bryniard.
Chapter 20
Unfortunate Guests