to give up what they love. They will only grow to despise you. You told me that when I asked Shauna to leave her life as a Warrior behind. And you were right.”
“You shouldn’t always listen to what I say,” Caleb told him and drove his heels into his horse, leaving Jonas alone with his words.
By the time Caleb returned home with Shauna, evening was approaching. Willow hadn’t heard their entrance into the cottage, so caught up was she in worrying about them that she couldn’t even enjoy her bath. She entered the hall from the kitchen with an apple in her hand and wearing her cleaned short top and pants. When she saw Caleb standing by the door, she forgot everything else and rushed into his arms.
He caught her up in a whirlwind and spun her around.
Shauna watched them with a heartsick look. Willow went to her to make certain she was well while Caleb entered the sitting room. Shauna filled her in on the Catchers and Ermile and all that Caleb had said to him. She tried to tell Willow of Jonas but ended up running up the stairs to her room.
The sitting room was lit only by a few tallow candles when Willow entered. She found Caleb sitting alone in the soft, golden semi darkness. His hair fell around his face in dark and light bands. His brows knit together as if he were contemplating the origins of creation. It was only his soulful eyes that gave away his sorrow. She went to him, unable to stay away a moment longer.
“You look beautiful,” he breathed, sounding as weak as she felt over the vision of him. “Did you enjoy your bath?”
“I was worried, but it was a bath, so it was good.” She smiled and knelt at his feet.
He slipped out of the chair and onto the floor beside her. His eyes, when she looked into them, were deep pools of regret. Her heart leapt to her throat.
“What is it?” she asked reaching out to touch his shoulder. “Tell me.”
He smiled softly into her luminous dark eyes, but his voice was heavy with torment. “Shauna’s heart aches for Jonas, but she remains with Ermile because of what he can give her. Jonas accepts it, but he wonders if I will be able to do the same when you leave me.”
“I’m not going to leave you, Caleb.”
“What about what you’re used to?” he asked quietly. “What about your riches, Willow?”
“You do have riches and I know how you’ve gained them,” she said softly, leaning in to rest her cheek on his chest. “I don’t need luxuries. I only need you.”
“And your father?”
Willow pushed away from him, but he snatched her wrist and pulled her back. He closed his eyes and enveloped her in his arms.
“Forgive me for bringing him up,” he said and kissed the hair he stroked with his fingers.
“Nothing will happen to us,” Willow promised, burying her face into his léine. “I won’t let it.”
He held her closer and thought of her father, and of Silvergard, and Jonas and Shauna, and he knew he had to hold her tighter, for he feared their time together was short.
Chapter 18
Caleb ushered a chicken out of his path and laughed softly, taking Willow’s hand. They walked through the village early the next night, stopping continuously to greet Caleb’s friends, whom Willow decided, included everyone who lived in Shondravar. Children followed him urging him to play, young maidens smiled and waved under inviting lashes, oblivious to the dark beauty at his side. Everywhere they went he was greeted with affection and admiration, and Willow marveled.
“If I didn’t know any better,” she smiled up at him as they walked, “I’d say some of the people were bowing to you.”
Caleb shrugged and chewed on a pomegranate seed.
“Well,” Willow stopped walking and curtsied to him playfully, “I stand in awe of you too.”
He tilted his head looking at her and the wistful longing in his eyes made Willow’s smile fade. “I’m surprised at how easily it is to forget when I’m with you.”
“What do I make you forget?” she asked, looking up into his eyes, suddenly too weak to stand.
“My destiny.”
“And what is so terrible about your destiny that you should want to forget it so?”
“I think it will destroy me,” he said, his voice deep and low. “I fear it will destroy us.”
Searching his familiar face, his expression frightened Willow. What was it he was trying to tell her? She ached to