Page 26 of Ensnaring the Dove
“Can you keep walking for a bit longer?” he asked, his tone more brusque than he’d intended.
She nodded, her slender shoulders straightening.
“There’s a rocky valley up ahead, where I’ll find us shelter and build a fire,” he continued. “We should reach there by noon. I’ll see about hunting us some food then.”
“We’ll stop there.”
Colombia heaved a deep sigh at Aedan’s announcement.Finally.
They’d traveled deep into the stone-strewn vale before he motioned right to where a rock overhand peeked out from a growth of spiky bushes. Leaden clouds hung overhead, while the rain continued to patter down.
Her body was aching now, and it felt as if she had rocks tied to her ankles. She desperately needed to sit down. Wearily, she followed Aedan up the side of the valley. Scree slid underfoot, and she stumbled.
Instantly, her companion was there, placing a hand under her elbow to steady her. “I know you’re tired,” he murmured. “I’m sorry if I pushed you too hard.”
“You didn’t,” she said quickly. “We could hardly make camp on those hills, could we?”
His mouth kicked up into a smile, and Colombia’s belly dived.
Her swift reaction startled her. She wasn’t blind. She’d noticed that Aedan was handsome, yet the rain gleaming on his face, and the way his light-auburn hair was slicked back against his skull, highlighted his proud bone structure.
And when he smiled, a deep dimple appeared on his right cheek.
Colombia tensed then, alarm fluttering up. Finding herself attracted to Aedan, when she had her fiancé waiting for her at the Wall, wasn’t wise at all.
Linus is handsome too, she reminded herself,and he has a charming smile.
Juno, she needed to focus on what she’d traveled this way for.
“We’ve made good time,” Aedan assured her, oblivious to her inner struggle. “So, we should be able to rest here until tomorrow morning.”
Colombia nodded. However, her relief at this news now warred with stabbing guilt.
I must reach Linus.
Yet, as desperate as she was to get to Onnum, exhaustion now clawed at her. She didn’t understand why her limbs ached so; however, her body was unused to such harsh treatment. She’d never walked so far.
Reaching the overhang, she spied a circle of blackened stones underneath. “Someone else has camped here,” she noted dully.
“Hunters most likely,” Aedan replied. “Deer roam this valley … I used to hunt here years ago with my father.” He paused then, his gaze surveying the overhang. “I need to get a fire started.”
Colombia bent low and stumbled over to the wall behind the remnants of the hearth. She then sank down, bracing her backagainst the cool stone. “Won’t you have trouble finding dry wood?”
“It’ll be a challenge,” Aedan admitted, pulling a face. “But I’ve got a flint … and there will be some dry twigs and branches tucked away in the valley.” Their gazes met then. “Wait here … I will go foraging.”
Colombia nodded once more. He didn’t need to worry. Now that she’d seated herself under this overhang, she didn’t intend to move. Even so, unease feathered through her.There are still a couple of hours of daylight left, she reminded herself.I should keep going.
However, her body rebelled at the thought of traveling any farther today. As eager as she was to reach him, Linus would have to wait.
Watching Aedan disappear into the gloom, she sank back against the wall, her eyes fluttering shut.
Colombia awoke a while later to the feel of a hand upon her brow.
Opening her eyes, she looked up into Aedan’s penetrating gaze. Concern shadowed their sea-blue depths. His face was slicked with rain.
“Did I fall asleep,” she murmured.
He nodded. “Your cheeks are flushed … and your forehead is warm … I think you’ve caught a chill.”