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Right now, there wasn’t a speck of dishonesty there, but a whole lot of regret. And the faint sweep of exhaustion.

“Being close to you, regardless of the years that stretched in absence, has filled me with such warmth and has brought back so many memories…” Her fingers knotted until white. “I miss it. Knowing I can trust someone.”

Gods help him, she threatened to shatter his resolve. His lips curled and he nodded in acceptance. How could he not?

“Let’s take it slow. See where things go. You came here with a goal, remember? And a timeframe. That doesn’t elude me, but I once knew you utterly well, even at your worst, and I know you speak the truth,” he said softly, his words for her ears only. Her smile grew and her thick lashes lowered. She began to lean toward him, a familiar action from long ago when she’d drop her forehead to his chest. However, she caught herself and seemed to shake free of sweet nostalgia. He straightened his shoulders and spread his arm invitingly toward the table. “Let’s not put all of your hard work to waste, letting such a fabulous meal go cold.”

He had to force each bite down his throat. Yes, it tasted great, but as the evening wore on and the cheerful banter circled the table—he put on his best smile and entertaining jibes—he couldn’t get the vision of death out of his head for long.

Each time he looked at Aria—which seemed to be more often than not—guilt taunted his conscience. The longer he waited to tell her, the worse it would be, for them both.

“We didn’t make a sweet to finish the meal, but”—Brack rubbed his round belly and sighed with satisfaction—“I’m not sure there’d be room.”

Aria stood up and began to gather the empty plates. Caspian waited until she reached the kitchen to lean close to Brack.

“I need to speak with her about a situation that arose tonight. I wouldn’t ask you if you would mind taking your leave otherwise. Not after you did me such a huge deed, spending the day watching over her.”

Brack waved a hand and smiled brightly. “No deed at all, sir. She’s quite a stunning woman.” He stood up and poked two fingers at his chest, over his heart. “Here.”

Caspian shared a small grin. “No argument from me.”

Aria returned, wiping her hands on a dishrag. Her brows arched and surprise crossed her expression. “You’re leaving? So soon?”

Brack laughed and nodded, grabbing his tweed hat off a small table by the front door and tugging it onto his head. “Aye, miss. The hour’s late and I haven’t been home to tend to the livestock. Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow?” He cut a questioning look at Caspian.

“I’ll check the books.” Caspian slid back his chair and climbed to his feet. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Brack. And your time today. It’s much appreciated.”

After a few shared words between Brack and Aria, minutes Caspian used to pour two snifters of brandy, Brack left. Dread seeped into the air, a lick of chill that teased the nape of his neck.

Aria lowered the rag to the dining table and met Caspian in the center of the room. She eyed the drink he held out to her. “Is everything okay, Casp?”

“No.” He pressed the snifter into her hand. “Here. You might need it.”

If walls could shift and close in on him, they did that now. He felt the effects of tension prickle through his body and tighten in his chest. Aria took the snifter, her arm stiff as her fingers wrapped around the glass.

“There are a few things we need to discuss. Tonight.” He settled his gaze on her. “Openly and honestly.”

A sickly glow fell over her skin. She sipped the brandy, scrunched her face, and took a deeper drink.

That makes two of us.

“I’ve nothing to hide, Casp. I’ve been forward with you from the start.”

“You have, yes.” He pulled deeply at his own brandy, letting the burn reach his belly before continuing. “I, on the other hand, have not.”