Page 77 of The King's Sword
She twisted on the seat to face him. “There’s no need to apologize.” Nothing had happened between them.
He kept his focus on her. “I want you to know that no matter what happens in the future, I care for you deeply. Regardless of what you hear or what people say. Know my feelings for you are genuine.”
She had no idea why he was telling her any of this. “What’s the matter? Is there something I should know?”
“The only thing you need to know is that everything I’ve said to you, I’ve meant.” He clasped his hands together, his eyes never wavering from hers.
Not wanting to push the matter, she nodded, realizing that they were both keeping things from one other. And that thought didn’t sit well with her. Wanting to change the subject, she asked, “Where are we going?” They were heading south, not north toward Lynk.
“There’s been a change in plans,” he said, rubbing his face, seeming unsure.
“You’re not taking me back to Lynk?” Now that Ex was dead, they had no reason to prolong her return.
“I received a message from your brother.”
“Otto?”
“Yes.” His focus went to their surroundings, scanning the shoreline. “He heard what happened and believes it will be best if he escorts you to Lynk.”
That sounded reasonable.
“I will no longer be joining you.”
“I thought you were going to get Lottie,” she said. A strange feeling took root in her stomach. The thought of no longer being with Evander seemed wrong.
“I will. Eventually. But Otto wants to meet with Rainer, and this seemed the best solution.”
He still wouldn’t look at her.
“Okay,” she replied, not really feeling things were okay. There was something he wasn’t telling her. She could feel it. Tears filled her eyes. Nothing ever went the way it was supposed to. She twisted around on the bench seat, no longer facing Evander. She sat there, watching the buildings and trees pass by.
Around midday, the rain started. She pulled a cloak out of her bag and put it on, trying to stay dry. When the sky started to darken, she finally turned around to face Evander again.
“Are we not going to stop and eat?” she asked.
He pulled out a loaf of bread and tore it in two, handing her half.
“We’re not stopping?”
He shook his head. On both sides of the canal, thick trees lined the water, no town in sight. “We’re sleeping in the boat.”
She groaned, wanting to stand and stretch her legs. It seemed that everything was irritating her. The rain was getting on her nerves. She missed her home, her family, and her horse. The thought of returning to Lynk and Rainer made her unsettled. Living with a man she couldn’t trust, who wanted to wage war, and who was stealing Bakley children was more than she could bear. But she had to. It was up to her to stop him.
“Where, exactly, am I supposed to sleep on this thing?” Sabine asked, her voice clipped.
“Between the two benches. Just use your cloak for a blanket. I’ll keep watch.”
Even though she hadn’t left Evander yet, everything already felt different. She didn’t think it had anything to do with her not spending the night with him. It seemed as if he was purposefully putting a wall between them, preparing her for what was to come.
Since it was getting dark, Sabine decided to curl between the benches, on the floor of the boat, and at least try to get some sleep. While it was completely uncomfortable with her knees up by her stomach, she felt a sense of peace floating on the water with Evander watching over her. She drifted off to sleep.
* * *
After traveling on the canal nonstop for two days, Evander finally steered them to a dock where he tied up the boat.
“Glad to see you’re not completely insane,” Sabine said as she climbed out. “I thought you weren’t going to ever stop that boat.” Sometimes a woman just needed a moment to herself. She stood and stretched.
“We’re short on time,” was all Evander said as he grabbed their bags and joined her. “Stay close to me.”
