Page 55 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Guilt wells up. “But I?—”

“Eat.” He takes a large bite from a hen’s leg.

My stomach growls as the aroma from the meat’s seasoning reaches my nose. “It won’t hurt to try a little. Maybe I’ll be able to keep it down.”

“Good.”

The magic is still moving around inside me, but it isn’t raging like before. Perhaps it’s becoming part of me, or just calming down. If I can’t find anyone to explain this to me, maybe I’ll be able to work with it on my own.

While we eat, the sun quickly sets. We decide to make camp in an abandoned cave. Harek shows me how to string a trap that will make noise if anyone comes near us. It’s loud enough to wake the dead and the moonlight doesn’t reach it, so it’s basically invisible, allowing us both to sleep.

He stays close, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me near. It’s so we stay warm, he says, but I can’t help wonder if he enjoys the contact as much as I do. It also awakens something unfamiliar in me, something I think my mother must’ve felt toward my father. But I push those thoughts aside and just enjoy being in his embrace. Tomorrow will probably bring more run-ins with fae, and I want this moment to last as long as possible. Even the foreign magic inside me seems to have calmed for the night.

I snuggle against him, us fitting together like we were made for each other, and let his soft breathing lull me to a sweet slumber.

Bright sunlight wakes me. A sliver of it shines into the cave, landing directly across my eyes. I yawn and stretch, finding Harek’s arm still wrapped around me. I take a deep breath and savor the moment. Once he wakes, we’ll head out again.

I manage to roll over and steal a glance of him sleeping. He looks so peaceful, and a little smile tugs on his lips. It makes me wonder what he’s dreaming about. Running as a wolf, maybe. Instead of being mad at him for keeping a secret from me, Ishould find out what it’s like for him. I can’t imagine changing into a whole other creature and racing through the forest.

His eyes flutter and then he slowly opens them. He looks around before making eye contact with me, and his lips form an even wider smile than when he slept. “This is a nice way to wake. Were you watching me sleep?”

Heat flames my cheeks and neck. “I just woke and I was checking to see if you were awake yet. That’s all. Nothing more.”

Smooth, Eira. Really smooth. The heat creeps to my ears. I hope he can’t tell. Sometimes there are benefits to having my father’s coloring.

His smile doesn’t falter, and he continues holding my gaze. Suddenly the small distance between us seems to scream. We’re close enough that if either inched forward, our lips would brush. I’m not so sure that would be a bad thing.

But I also don’t want to make any rash decisions when I’m in mourning and dealing with new fae powers. I scoot back, bolt up, and clear my throat. “So, uh, did you sleep well?”

“Never better.” He stretches lazily and sits as if this isn’t the most awkward moment in the history of awkward moments. “How about you?”

Why is my heart pounding so hard? I swallow. “Much better.”

“Glad to hear it.” He gives me his usual crooked smile.

I’m glad to be sitting. There’s no way my legs would hold me up right now.

What’s going on with me? Or us? Does he notice any of this? He sure doesn’t seem to think any of it is weird. I wish I could be as easygoing and relaxed as him.

Maybe I’m focusing on something that isn’t there as a way to distract myself from my grief. That has to be it. Harek is my best friend—the one person aside from my mother and sisters I can trust with my darkest secrets and even my very life.

Romance ruins good things like this. I’ve seen it firsthand. My good friend Freja fell for the boy next door who she grew up with, and now they can’t even look at each other. I think I’d die if anything like that happened between Harek and me. It isn’t worth the risk.

He rises, though not fully as the cave isn’t even tall enough for me to stand. “I’m going to see if I can catch a small animal to cook over a fire. Then we can head out.”

“Did I eat all of your food?” Guilt stings. I never should’ve accepted his food after yakking yesterday.

“No, I’m just in the mood for something fresh. I noticed a spring behind this cave, if you want to freshen up while I’m out. I promise not to peek.”

My face burns so hot I’m not sure how I don’t catch fire. I try to speak, but nothing comes.

“Hurry, though. We should head out soon, and I think I hear a jackrabbit. That’ll give us plenty to eat.”

I still can’t find my voice. The thought of him knowing I’m going to take a dip in the spring is almost too much. Does hewantto peek? Is that why he said that? Or does he have no desire—and also no clue what he’s doing to me?

Luckily, he ducks out of the cave, carefully avoiding the noisy trap he set last night.

I’m not sure how I’m going to survive the rest of our trek together at this rate.

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