Page 120 of Esperance

She attacked it hungrily, pausing only to drink gulps of water.

“Take it slowly,” he cautioned as he sank onto his bedroll, facing her.

She nodded, but didn’t really slow down until the plate was nearly empty. Only then did she look up at him. “Are you really all right?”

“I am now.”

Her cheeks colored. “I was worried about you.”

That warmed him more than it should have. “I’m fine. I was coming to find you.”

“I know.”

A shallow laugh rushed out of him. “You did?”

“Yes.” She stared at him, and he swore she was looking into his soul. “You promised you’d find me.”

The words were simple, but their impact was anything but. His heart squeezed. What was bloody wrong with him? “I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner.”

“That’s all right.” She popped a fig into her mouth and chewed. “I suppose it’s good to know I can survive on my own.”

“And rescue Ivan.”

The corner of her mouth rose and her eyes sparked with quiet pride. “That, too.”

“How did you find him?”

Amryn rubbed the side of her neck, her braid still a haphazard mess. “It’s kind of a long story.”

“I want to hear it.”

She exhaled. Then she met his gaze and said three words he’d never expected to hear: “I met Ford.”

Chapter 31

Amryn

Carver stared. His expression was blank,but his emotions were not. Disbelief. Surprise. Panic.

At least he wasn’t feeling that knee-weakening desire anymore.Thathad been completely unexpected, and after everything that had happened today, she didn’t have the energy to process the fact that Carver Vincetti had almost kissed her. Or that she’dwantedto kiss him. Saints, theywould have kissed,if she hadn’t drawn away. Because, even after that embarrassing sneeze, his desire hadn’t waned.

Amryn tried to focus on the issue at hand—the fact that she’d stunned him into silence with her revelation. “You don’t need to bother denying you know him, or that you had no idea he’s staying in one of the cabins here. Ford’s not the best liar.”

Carver pulled back a little, but he remained sitting cross-legged across from her. They were close enough that their knees almost touched. She could have reached out and grabbed his hand.

She didn’t. Instead, she took a sip of water and waited. She’d considered keeping her encounter with Ford a secret from Carver, but it really wouldn’t gain her anything; she assumed Ford would tell him everything once they met next. Because, obviously, they had meetings. Why else would Ford be here?

Carver eyed her, his aquamarine eyes unreadable. “Ford found you?”

She nodded. “He saved my life.”

Anxiety thrummed from him, and the skin around his eyes tightened. “I would like to hear more about that, please.” He spoke calmly, but his worry was obvious.

Her compulsion to comfort him was inexplicable. It had always seemed to be that way with him. “I’m fine,” she reminded gently.

His expression didn’t change.

She expelled a breath, then lengthened her spine as she began to tell him everything that had happened. When she got to the part about hiding in the cave, she was very aware of the tarnished amulet that hummed softly in the corner of the tent, still tucked in the pocket of her wet dress.