and looked a bit breathless. But there was nothing else. And why should there be? She knew as well as he that their love would end in misery.
It was because he was home that he’d hoped for something more. Shondravar had always made him hope. Being here made him feel like anything was possible. He had to try to keep a clear head when it came to her or he’d fall down into a chasm he didn’t want to be near.
His sister leaned forward in her chair and laid her hand over his. “Caleb, listen to me. Predaria is healing because of you and Jonas. One day there will be no reason to trade your belongings to feed the villagers. There will be grass and trees and flowers, and you will be fulfilled. You can give Willow everything she wants then without compromising yourself. You could even build a new Castle Silvergarden.”
Caleb gave her a slow grin. “And you call me the romantic?”
“Good morning,” Willow sang, entering the kitchen with a smile as bright as the sunshine that drenched the small room. She sat down next to Caleb and they gazed at each other like two love starved children.
“Are you always this cheerful in the morning?” Shauna asked her, looking at her brother and smiling at him.
“No, but it’s bathing day. And,” her smile on Caleb softened, “I found that I have many reasons to wake up this morning.”
Caleb’s smile deepened. “May I be so bold to ask if I am one of them?”
She grew crimson and nodded. “You and breakfast.”
Caleb laughed and rose to prepare her plate.
She thanked him when he served her then sat next to her again.
“This is all a little…” Shauna said and made a face of disgust, “…sweet. Oh, Caleb, I almost forgot to tell you. I’m going to Prandar today with Ermile. I’ll be back tomorrow.” She said it quickly as if eager to get it over with.
His smile on Willow faded first, and then he turned to his sister with subtle trace of anger in his eyes. “You know I can’t let you do that. I’m sorry.”
“Why not? I used to go all the time with Jonas.”
“Jonas is different. He’s a Warrior. Ermile’s eyes water when he looks at swords. What will he do if you are attacked by Catchers?”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, but I don’t think you will,” he said, “because then your betrothed would find out you’re a Warrior and you won’t take that chance.”
Shauna’s glare turned into a scowl, knowing he was probably right. “Very well, I’ll ask Jarod to escort us.”
Caleb shook his head. “Jonas would be better. He’s more experienced.”
“Jarod and Pethar,” Shauna bartered.
“No, you would be safest with Jonas.”
His sister’s eyes burned like crystal daggers. She rose from her chair, dragging it across the floor with a tormented screech and marched to her brother with fists at her sides. “Caleb, I will not be blackmailed into being with Jonas. I know what you’re trying to do, and it won’t work. I’d rather not go.”
“Then it’s settled. You won’t go.” He turned back to Willow.
“Fine!” Shauna shouted, but Caleb only blinked as his sister stormed out of the room.
“Why are you forcing her to be with Jonas?” Willow asked him. “She will only reject him more.”
“You saw the Catchers, Willow,” he told her. “I won’t have my sister become a slave because of that termite, Ermile. He should know better than to bring her to the plains alone. He could never protect her unless he opens his mouth and bored them to death.”
Willow giggled and he brightened again. “Come,” he said, taking her hand. “There are places I want to show you.”
Upstairs in her room, Shauna heard the door slam as her brother and Willow left the house. Then she continued to pack.
Chapter 16
The sun didn’t feel as brutally hot when they stepped outside as it had felt on the plains, and Willow wondered if it was just a cooler day, or if Shondravar was an oasis, like the garden she’d read about in Caleb’s Bible this morning.
“Where are we going?” She looked up at Caleb and he smiled.
“To church and then to the fields.”
She threw him a curious look but figured anything was possible with him. And besides, when he held her hand in his like this she didn’t care where they were going as long as she was with him. She kept up with his brisk pace while they walked. He