Page 27 of Ensnaring the Dove
Colombia grimaced. That would account for why she felt so exhausted. Her sleep hadn’t refreshed her. If anything, she was even more tired than earlier. Pushing herself up, for she’d fallen on her side while she slumbered, Colombia pulled her damp woolen shawl around her as a paroxysm of shivering seized her.
“Curse it,” she muttered. “You could be right.”
Expression grim, he nodded before pushing wet hair out of his eyes. “I need to get a fire going.”
Colombia watched as he placed a handful of dry twigs and bark into the hearth and produced a flint from a pouch on his belt. Behind him was a messy pile of firewood. “Your hunt for wood was successful then?”
“It was,” he murmured, crouching down and striking the flint against a dark-grey stone amongst the nest he’d created in the hearth. “However, it took me longer than I hoped … the rain’s gotten even heavier since we arrived here.”
Colombia peered out into the valley beyond their overhang. Indeed, the clouds seemed to have lowered even farther, and the patter of the rain against the stony ground was louder now.
Thunder rumbled overhead.
Leaning back and trying to quell the shivers that rippled through her, Colombia watched Aedan strike the flint against stone repeatedly. Sparks flew, and the tinder started to smoke. Gently, he blew on the smoking wood, coaxing it into flame.
She couldn’t take her gaze off him. And as she observed him start the fire, attraction tugged at her once more—a sensation that made her breathing quicken and belly flutter.
Gods, she had to do something about this. She had to remind herself of the nature of their relationship before she did something foolish.
The man is an outlaw, she told herself sternly,and I’m paying him to take me to the Wall.
“Thank you for agreeing to take me to Onnum,” she said eventually, inwardly cringing at how stilted and formal her voice sounded. “I really am appreciative.”
Aedan sat back on his haunches and glanced her way once more. His gaze was veiled as he nodded. “You’re welcome … although I still haven’t found us any food,” he replied. “As soon as I get this fire going properly, I shall go hunting.”
“You should rest too,” she murmured. In truth, Colombia wasn’t that hungry at present. Perhaps her belly had gotten usedto half-rations over the last couple of days. Or, maybe, the fever she was fighting had robbed her of an appetite.
“You must eat something,” Aedan replied coolly. “You can’t walk to Onnum on an empty stomach … and neither can I.”
He turned his attention back to the fire then, and a short while later, he had gorse branches crackling upon it. His expression had completely shuttered now, and Colombia fought a creeping sense of guilt. Despite that she’d thanked him, she’d treated him like a servant. He likely thought her cold and haughty—and suddenly it mattered greatly that he didn’t.
Silence stretched between them before Colombia cleared her throat. “I feel safe with you, Aedan,” she admitted softly. “I know you resent everything I stand for … but I trust you.”
His chin kicked up, surprise flickering across his face.
Colombia had taken herself aback too. That had come out a little too raw. One moment she was painfully formal, the next she was being overly familiar. Perhaps the fever was robbing her of good sense. Maybe it was best if she didn’t speak at all.
“I don’t resent you,” he replied. “Do you really think I’m that petty?”
Colombia swallowed. “My people have done you wrong. I must be a constant reminder of it.”
He snorted. “Fatehas done me wrong … but I don’t blame you for it.”
Their gazes fused across the fire, and Colombia’s mouth lifted at the corners. “I’m glad,” she murmured. Warmth spread across her chest then, dousing the last of her reserve and good sense. “I’d like to be your friend.”
Their stare drew out before Aedan cleared his throat and eventually looked away. Moving toward the edge of the overhang, he collected the bow and quiver he’d laid down. He’d carried them with him ever since they’d fled the outlaws and had been careful not to leave them behind in Enid’s cottage.Nonetheless, Colombia wasn’t sure what he’d manage to hunt in the pouring rain.
“Keep the fire burning,” he instructed, still avoiding her gaze. “And dry yourself off. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
XII. BELONGING
I’D LIKE TO be your friend.
Aedan clenched his jaw, blinking the rain out of his eyes as walked. He was tracking his way down the meandering burn that cut through the high-sided vale, gaze flicking left and right as he went.
However, it was difficult to keep his thoughts on hunting.
He didn’t understand Colombia. One moment she was thanking him with cool formality, as if he were her hired lackey, and the next she spoke with genuine trust and warmth.