Page 18 of The Demon of the Wood

She grabbed the ceramic jug next to the washbasin and headed for the door to retrieve water. But as she did, her boot caught on the rug and she tripped, dropping it. The crock splintered on impact. She sat there, staring at it in shock, her heart sinking. They used this every day.

Her chest heaved, her breath feeling as if it were trying to push through a tiny hole.

Oh no.

She racked her brain for a way to hide what she’d done and came up empty.

Scuffling alerted her, and she saw Kaemon in the doorway. She fought back her tears, instinctively wincing.

“What is it?” he asked.

She bunched her shoulders up to her ears, wrapping her arms around her. “I-I didn’t mean to. It was an accident. I’m so sorry. I will do whatever you need to get a new one. I can sew things to sell at the market. Or help hunt more and—”

He held up his hand and walked over to the broken clay pieces. Kneeling down, he began gathering them in his hand.

“I’m not mad, and I won’t hurt you,” he said.

She rubbed her arms with her hands, still unsure.

“I mean it,” he said softly. “It’s just a pitcher. Easily replaced.”

“I was being careless,” she said.

“It was an accident. It happens. It’s nothing to fret over. Not here. Not with me.”

The tightness in her chest unfurled, leaving a dull ache instead, and she dropped her hands to her side. She grabbed the broom and began sweeping. Still, her body quaked, even as she told herself that she was safe.

Kaemon took notice. “You’re shaking.”

He reached out to touch her, but halted and drew his hand back, thinking better of it. Disappointment clouded her emotions, much to her surprise. He had kept to his promise of not touching her, but as she grew surer of his intentions, there were moments she longed for even a brush of her hand against his. Any contact to soothe her anxious nerves.

She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

He grabbed a pail and helped her sweep the shards into it. “Go ahead.”

“I want to repay you for how you’ve helped me. I could forage and sell items at the market if you’d take me.”

“You know you don’t owe me for any of this. You don’t have to repay me.”

She knew he felt that way, could see the sincerity of it in his eyes, his actions, and it made her want to pay him back all the more. A shadow haunted her every step, telling her that the kindness she received was undeserved. She feared he would come to resent her. And more than that, she needed to learn to care for herself. She couldn’t expect him to let her stay there for the rest of her life.

“I know. But I want to. I want to help you, and I think I need to earn money so I can leave someday. I can’t stay here and be a burden to you forever.”

“You’re not a burden.” He said it hastily, frowning, and the intensity of his gaze locked her in place, stilling her heart for a beat.

Kaemon was quiet, a man of few words. He seemed content with her presence, but she often wondered if he regretted taking her in, having a person always in his business, always nearby. Seeing his gaze now, she wondered if he enjoyed her presence.

No, surely not.

He looked back to the mess on the ground and finished brushing the last pieces into the pail. “I understand, though. You will need to make money so you can find your own way. Thon is the closest village, but it is not one I venture into. I go to Orc Haven, and you will be safe going there with me. If you want to forage items to take, the nuts sell well. And if you need me to purchase anything for you to make and sell, I would be happy to.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“I came back to the cabin to see if you wanted to come with me to go fishing.”

He didn’t meet her gaze, instead focusing on the pail.

“I’d like that,” she responded.

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