my head and whispered. “Just go.”
His eyes full of sorrow, he mounted his horse and rode away.
“Hey, wake up, buttercup,” a cheerful voice announced outside my tent.
I could smell it was early morning and moisture covered my blankets. My fire had gone out, and I was freezing. I peeked my head out to see Devin standing over my fire with a concerned look.
“You had plenty of firewood. How come you let it go out? Do you know how cold it gets in the north?” he asked.
I shivered and groaned as he repeated Liam’s warning. It occurred to me that I didn’t have a lick of survival skills. I’d always used my magic to start the kindling. I didn’t even know another way of starting the fire.
I felt better after a full night’s sleep and my head was less foggy. I popped backed into my tent and saw that my pack was tucked in the corner. I changed into the men’s pants and long overshirt, grateful that I didn’t have to deal with buttons on a dress. The old Aura wouldn’t be caught dead in pants, preferring dresses and curls and braids. But that Aura was dead. This one needed to find an alternate way to survive. I pulled on my boots, then it took me forever to roll up my bedroll and blankets. My fine motor skills weren’t working yet, and I was almost in tears trying to tie a knot around my bedroll. I made a makeshift knot and stepped out, tossed it on the ground, just as Devin released the tent line and it came collapsing down, just missing me.
“Ah, I almost caught a girl.” He shot me a grin and I couldn’t help but smile wanly. He really knew how to lighten the mood.
“Well, what would you have done if you caught one?” I asked, pleased I didn’t stutter.
“Why, marry her, of course. She’d cook for me, clean up after my messes, and I could kiss her anytime I wanted . . .” Devin’s joke trailed away when we made eye contact and we both remembered the kiss. His eyes glanced to my lips and then he looked away. “Well, there’s always next time.”
“Next time,” I breathed to myself and felt a blush warm my cheeks.
Devin moved to finish breaking down my tent. I sat on a log, wanting to help, but still not feeling in control of my limbs. My mind was a hazy mess, and I frequently found myself lost in a daydream.
“Aura.” Devin snapped his fingers in front of my face, and I struggled to focus on him. “Hey, where were you? I called your name three times.”
“I’m here. I’m fine. I think.” I stood up, and the world spun, and I immediately fell forward.
“Whoa.” Devin stepped in and caught me. “I got you.” He held me in his arms and didn’t release me. I could feel his silent perusal of me. “You’re even prettier without all the makeup.”
I looked away, and he grasped my chin, and I gazed into his serious eyes. “Don’t be ashamed about what happened between us. I’m not. It was just a kiss.”
Just a kiss, but to Liam it probably seemed more like a betrayal. I should explain what happened. Try to make things right between us. But I kept seeing Liam’s disappointed face, and I remembered that maybe it was better this way.
Devin gently released me and then worked on getting me on his horse. He hopped up behind me, and we were on our way to catch up with the rest of the company. They were already on the road, heading further into the woods. I couldn’t see Liam anywhere, and Devin could tell where my focus was.
“He’s not here.”
“What do you mean he’s not here?” I asked. “Where’d he go?”
“He left in the middle of the night. Went on ahead to Duke Tallywood’s home to see if he can take the women we rescued and help them go back to their families.”
“Oh. Who is Duke Tallywood?” I didn’t realize how sad I’d be that Liam had left without saying anything to me.
Devin’s face brightened. “Everyone knows Duke Tallywood. He is a rich, old man who has a fondness for taking in orphans. You won’t find a kinder man than him. Don’t worry. We’ll get there by nightfall. It’s on our way, and I’m here to entertain you with the stories of my many daring exploits.” I smiled. “Not to mention all the dazzling ladies I’ve wooed,