Page 74 of Far From Sherwood Forest

Stepping back, he lets me come inside before shutting the door behind me. When I turn back toward him, we stare at each other for several more seconds before I figure out what to say—becausehe’scertainly not going to be the first one to start any kind of conversation.

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. About Will.”

He shrugs. “You didn’t have a reason to.”

“I’d like to think that’s not true,” I tell him with a frown.

After everything that’s happened between us, I’d like to think that I could trust him about something like that. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I really am naive after all.

“I take it you forgave him?” he asks, and I can already hear the angry edge in his voice.

“I forgave you,” I point out.

“Yeah, you did. Because you see everyone and everything through rose-colored glasses.”

And there’s my confirmation.

“You killed my father, and I killed your cousin. You hunted me for years, and I left you all alone in a new world. Haven’t we hurt each other enough, Henry?”

That seems to get through to him. Some of the tension seeps out of him, his shoulders falling a few centimeters. However, the crease between his brows deepens like he’s genuinely contemplating the question, wondering if maybe I’m right.

I don’t expect an answer, so I move on. “I think you’re supposed to come back too.”

“To Nottingham? To Sherwood Forest?” He scoffs like the idea is ridiculous. “What makes you think that?”

I shrug, thinking back to the bear that attacked us in the park. Therehadto be a reason for it. It was the first time Henry and I ever fought on the same side, and I think we’re supposed to do it again.

“It’s just a guess. Maybe I’m wrong. But I thought I’d give you a heads up in case the Spirit decides to surprise us again.”

“Thanks. But I have no reason to go back.”

Ouch.

Way to twist the knife, Henry.

I give him a slow nod and turn to leave, trying not to let it show how badly I’m fucking bleeding out.

“You don’t either.”

His words stop me before my hand can reach for the door. I keep my back to him while I try to decipher his meaning on my own, but when I come up short, I turn to face him again. There’s something different in his expression than there was seconds before. Something that looks an awful lot like desperation.

Or maybe that’s just me being naive again.

“What does that mean?”

“I told you before. Whatever’s going on back there isn’t your problem anymore, Robin. I know you have more reasons to stay here than you do for going back.”

“And what reasons are those, Henry?” I ask, frustration building in my bones. “You can’t answer that, can you? Because it’s certainly not you. So why the hell shouldn’t I go back and finish what I started all those years ago?”

His jaw ticks visibly beneath his beard.

“You can’t answer that either? Then what the fuck does it matter to you?”

“Because you fucking matter!”

That shocks me into silence.

My lips part, and my breathing temporarily ceases. Henry’s eyes widen by a degree, as though he’s just as surprised by what he said as I am.