a bit smile to Devon. “Done.” Lord Cooper leaned over the carriage’s door, but Devon put his arm out, on his way.
“I’ll do it,” he said, glaring at the man. Devon entered the carriage and sucked in a sharp breath. Kianna was on the floor, cowering against the bench, her hands shaking. Her lip was chapped and her cheek red. By the gods, the man had hit her.
Devon clenched his fist. He prayed for the gods to give him strength to endure this for only a bit longer. All he had to do was take Kianna out of there, and let the men go. Once they were out of range, he would focus on Kianna and forget about them.
That was the plan.
Devon knelt and gently reached for her. “Hey, it’s me.”
She startled when he wound his arms around her, but when she saw it was him, her bright blue eyes filled with tears. He picked her up, walked out of the carriage, and away from those men. When he was sure he was far enough that he wouldn’t feel the need to go back and murder them all, Devon stopped and helped Kianna down to a low branch on the side of the road.
“Are you okay?” he asked, worried about her.
“What happened?” She stared at him and shook her head. “I heard you mentioning paying. How did you trick him like that?” Devon lowered his head, not sure what to tell her. “But … I saw him with a pouch and some gold coins in his hands.” Her eyes widened. “You really did pay him. How?”
Devon stilled. “Kianna …”
“How?” Her voice rose.
“I …” Devon sighed. He reached for her again, but Kianna scooted back on the branch, away from him. She was afraid of him. “Yes, I had some money, and I paid him.”
“It wasn’t just some money. It was a large sum.”
“I know,” Devon muttered.
Kianna frowned, her eyes staring at him as if he was a stranger. “Where did you get the money? Did you rob someone? Did you sell something of worth?” She sucked in a sharp breath. “You had money, which means you knew you weren’t poor.” She stood and took a few steps back. “Why are you with my family and me if you’re not poor? Why are you submitting yourself to our conditions?” Her hands shook more. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Kianna, please,” he begged.
“Please what? Give me an explanation!”
But he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell her the truth.
Kianna, I’m an immortal warrior sent by the gods to protect you. By the way, I’ve been saving money for over a hundred years now. I’m rich.
Devon shook his head.
“You won’t tell me because it’s a secret, and it’s probably bad, isn’t it?” Kianna rounded him, keeping a safe distance from him, and stepped back into the road. “Stay away from me. Stay away from my family.”
She spun around and ran in the farm’s direction.
Defeated, Devon sat down on the branch and buried his face in his hands. By the gods, what had he done?
Present
Kenna
Leaning against its trunk, I glanced up at the branches of the cherry tree. The white flowers were now in full bloom and the scent of cherries filled the backyard. It was my favorite spot in the entire house. Hell, the whole world.
If only we could stay here forever …
I shook my head, getting rid of those thoughts. No, I wouldn’t think like that. I glanced down at the thick book in my lap and began reading again. I hated studying for the GED, but it was the only thing I could do now.
More interesting than the cherry tree or the GED test was my neighbor. I had barely seen him the last two days after the ball. I kept glancing over the fence, trying to get a peek at him.
That night … two things bothered me about the ball. All right, three. One, the way I felt so guarded against him and how snippy I was. I had told him I didn’t want to be there, and that was true, but still, I had been almost too bitchy for my liking. Two, at one point, I was sure he was going to kiss me. And I would have let him. But then three happened. I didn’t know what had overcome me, how I had known Devon wore a ring on a necklace, and why that ring felt so familiar. But after that, I only felt snippier than before.