Page 164 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

His time in Kuda Varai had been good for him.

“I have been wanting to see you again,” he said quietly. “Ever since I left.”

She didn’t know what to say to that. His sudden appearance had stunned her into silence. She hadn’t thought about what she’d say to him if he came back. She hadn’t ever imagined that hewouldcome back.

“I abandoned you,” he added shamefully.

She pulled away a little. “You have no obligation to me.”

He held her arms so she couldn’t pull away farther. “I do. But it’s not about obligation. Since I left, I’ve thought of you every day.”

Crow didn’t reply.

“Did... you think of me?” he prompted clumsily.

She shook her head slowly. “I didn’t,” she said. It was mostly the truth. She had made a keen effort not to.

His brow twitched. Crow stepped away again, and this time he didn’t stop her.

“You should come in,” she said, unlocking the gate. “Someone will see you and call the watch.”

He hesitated, then followed her into the garden, which she suddenly realized was more brown than green, and not just because of the harsh winter they’d had. Many of the plants were struggling or already dead. She’d been neglecting them for months.

“You’re still living here?” he asked.

“Where else?”

They went inside, and he stopped on the threshold, staring around at the empty rooms. “What happened?”

She set the box of flowers down on the floor, leaning it against the wall—there were no tables yet. “I’m fixing up the place.”

“By getting rid of everything?”

“As you can see, yes.”

He was standing awkwardly near the door. There was no place to sit. She supposed a good host would offer him something to drink or eat, but she didn’t keep much food at the house anymore. She spent most of her time at Akaia’s.

“When did you arrive in Valtos?”

“Two weeks ago, about.”

She blinked. “Two weeks? Where have you been staying?”

“Here and there.”

“For gods’ sakes. Are you all right? Have you been eating?”

He gave her a tilted smile. “I’m fine, Crow.”

“You should have come straight here.”

The smile faded. “I meant to, but…”

He made no move to take off his pack or cloak. He was looking more and more like he might change his mind and leave at any moment—which, she realized suddenly, she very much did not want. She beckoned him to the next room over.

“I’ll make a fire. Come here. Sit.”

While Crow worked at the fireplace, Vaara sat on the floor in the empty room, his chin resting on his hand. Whenever she looked up from her work, she’d find him watching her. He’d finally pulled down his hood. Her eyes lingered on him more than once. She was shocked by how different he looked. He had become a whole, healed person.

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