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“Weareamazing,” I said.

In his gaze, I saw a journey that promised adventure, love, and a deepening connection that would withstand anything.

He held the promise of forever, and he’d extended it to me.

Chapter 27

Ruugar

We spent the next few days at the campsite swimming, playing board games and games on the open grassy area like the one where we had to throw rings onto spikes in the ground. Beth won the first round and Carol the second. We also ate lots of great orc food.

And at night, Beth and I shared the tent and our bodies.

I was so in love with her that it hurt, but I hadn’t told her, not with words. Only with my touch and the things I did for her to show her how much I cared. She hadn’t spoken of a future for us, and I still wasn’t convinced I could give her everything she’d grown up with, everything she needed. But for her, I would try.

Eventually, we had to pack everything up again to move to the next campsite. We rode on sorhoxes to our third and final rest stop. We’d spend two nights here before we took a shorter route back to Lonesome Creek.Which meant I worried when we got back, she’d tell me she knew what she wanted to do with her life but that sadly, it didn’t include me.

Late afternoon sunlight created long shadows across the forest clearing as we rode into the third campsite. Towering evergreens whispered in the wind, their scent mixing with wildflowers. Beyond the trees, golden plains stretched toward the horizon, the perfect spot for stargazing later. A small lake shimmered nearby, fed by a hidden underground spring, its dark surface reflecting the sky like a mirror.

Two more nights with Beth. One last full day before we had to ride back to Lonesome Creek. The thought of leaving this blissful time twisted something deep inside me. The days with her had been more than I’d ever expected and more than I ever thought I’d have. At night, she laid in my arms, her breath warm on my skin, her body tangled with mine. I belonged to this woman alone.

We dismounted from our sorhoxes, our muscles aching from hours in the saddle. While Beth and I unsaddled and removed the harnesses from the beasts, the others strolled over to exclaim about the lake. She and I fell into the familiar routine of unloading supplies, carrying bags to the cabins, and tending to whatever needed doing. I kept my hands busy, but my eyes sought her out, drawn to her like always.

Still disguised as Ben, she appeared more sure of herself than when this journey began. She worked with quiet confidence, grooming the sorhoxes, and setting up things in the cooking gazebo. But every so often, herhands hesitated, and her throat bobbed with a heavy swallow.

Was she thinking of me? Because all I could think of was her.

The others returned and Pete shot me a knowing grin. Carol, shaking out her water flask, exchanged a smirk with him before turning toward me.

“You sure you’re not already married, Ruugar?” Pete teased. “You watch someone inparticularlike a man protecting his own.”

Heat licked up my neck. I grunted, tightening my grip on a bag, my jaw twitching. Was I that obvious?

Carol tipped her head, her eyes glinting with amusement. “I think it’s sweet.” Her smirk deepened as she looked toward her new husband. “I remember someone else doing something very similar when we first started dating and boy…” She fanned her face. “I didn’t mind one bit.”

“I hovered over you because I love you, wife,” Pete said simply.

“Aw.” She leaped into his arms.

He dropped the bag and gathered her close, kissing her.

Beth watched from across camp, her shoulders stiff. She kept her face neutral, but I didn’t miss the envy in her eyes as she watched the happy couple. Did she hope to have something like that with me?

Carol slipped from Pete's arms, and they grabbed their things, taking them to one of the two cabins.

Beth’s gaze slid to mine as she carried a sleeping bagfrom the shed, her teeth catching her bottom lip and holding it. She only did that when she was nervous, when she was trying and failing to hide how she felt.

I wanted to say something. Needed to, but I didn't know how or what wouldn’t offend her.

Instead, we set up our tent in silence, the motions familiar yet unbearably different now. Unrolling canvas. Staking edges into the dirt. Every movement was filled with a charge neither of us wanted to name. When I reached for a rope, her fingers touched mine. She didn't pull away. Her fingers coiled around mine for a moment and her inhalation caught in her throat. She was waiting. Maybe hoping. Maybe dreading what would come next.

The words sat on my tongue, ones that begged to be spoken. Ones that might break me. But I hesitated. If I said them now, admitted what she meant to me, would I be strong enough to watch her walk away if she couldn’t feel the same? She was just starting a new life. I’d love to be a part of it, but if she needed to be completely free to make choices, I would step away. I loved her enough to not want to change or control her.

As the last of the daylight disappeared behind the mountains, a cool breeze rolled through camp, rustling the pines. The scent of wildflowers and smoke lingered in the air as the fire crackled. Laughter carried on the wind.

We'd had dinner and cleaned up after. Everyone but me had settled near the fire. I puttered around camp, pretending I still had things to do, though when Bethasked, I said I was nearly finished. I had to think. Come up with a plan. I wasn't doing good with that so far.

Two last nights before the journey back. What could I do to show Beth that she would be happy staying with me forever?