Page 28 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Harek lifts a branch, revealing a cozy little spot barely big enough for both of us to squeeze in. “Ladies first.”

For some reason, my cheeks warm. Thankfully, there’s no way he can see me blushing. I climb in, sit. Using one of my bags as a pillow, I shove the other under a branch. My new sword rests on top of my side, where I can reach it easily if needed.

Harek climbs in then wraps himself around me. Now my entire face is on fire. Sure, we’ve camped together before—mostly when we were kids—but never like this. Not with him pressed so close and his arm slung over me. So much for easy access to my weapon.

“I know it’s tight,” he says as if reading my mind. “But nobody will see us even if they’re just a few paces away. We’re safe and can sleep without worry.”

I just nod, not trusting my voice.

“Sweet dreams, Eira.”

“You too.” My voice sounds weird.

Before long, his breathing softens and becomes rhythmic. I don’t know how he can fall asleep so easily like this. I can’t focus on anything other than every place our bodies touch.

It takes my breath away. I really shouldn’t be reacting like this—he’s my best friend. We’re out in the woods and have to sleep somewhere. It makes sense that we need to climb into this tight little space to stay out of sight from any predators, human or otherwise.

His breathing starts to tickle my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I turn my head slightly.

This is the most awkward thing ever. Yet somehow, I kind of like it.

I’m only confused because of everything that’s happened today. What I need is to get some sleep. Once we start moving again, I’ll need my energy.

Harek’s breathing starts to lull me closer toward slumber. Then his arm slides down and his hand rests on top of mine.

My breath hitches, and my mouth dries.

Something is seriously wrong with me, given the way I’m reacting to the guy I’ve known since I was toddling around, still in diapers. It has to do with my grief and losses. That’s the only explanation.

His fingers slide between mine.

Now we’re holding hands. I must be dreaming. There’s no way we’re holding hands. That’s what people do when they’re in love. Then they kiss and later get married—or their parents forbid the relationship. None of that is happening in this case. Because Harek is sleeping, and there’s no way he purposefully did that.

His breathing doesn’t seem as rhythmic as it had been. Could he be awake? Or do I only hope he is?

Stop. What is going on? I amnothaving these thoughts about my best friend.

Ew, seriously. That would be like having romantic feelings toward one of my brothers. Because Harek is like one of them, only better because he’s not abandoning me. My brothers all stuck with Gunnar. Any of them could have chosen to stand up for me against the arranged marriage, but none did.

I finally start to relax, close my eyes. Feel myself drifting from my body.

Harek’s thumb strokes the back of my hand. No, it’s more of a twitch. That’s what sleeping people do—twitch, not stroke. There’s no way he’s purposefully holding my hand, and especially not rubbing it. No way.

It’s like when my sisters jerk around in their sleep. Sometimes I think they’re having a seizure. That’s what this is. And I’m not entertaining any other thoughts about it.

Harek is lost in dreamland, fully unaware of what he’s doing or how it’s affecting me.

And I’m wasting entirely too much time thinking about this when I need to be sleeping. Even if it’s only my brain’s way offocusing on something other than the monumental losses I’ve experienced in the last day. I should be glad I have someone on my side, someone who cares enough to make this crazy adventure with me.

Someone trustworthy enough to keep my secret.

There’s no way I could tell anyone else about being half fae. He’s the only one who would stick by me. Gunnar would’ve kicked me out long before if he knew he housed the enemy. He wouldn’t have given Mother a say. Actually, he’d have gone a step further and had me killed. No doubt about that.

That’s why she kept the truth even from me. She must’ve worried I’d let it slip. It would’ve been hard to keep it to myself. My sisters and I told each other everything.

Now it’s just Harek and me. Even when we end up going our own ways—which we will at some point—I don’t have to worry about him ratting me out to anyone. Just like I’d keep any secret of his.

He releases my hand, rolls away.

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