Page 62 of The Piper's Pursuit

Her heart fluttered, but this time in fear that Steffan might think she loved him. She started eating the bread and cheese, squeezing her eyes closed. She didn’t love him, did she? She had better not. He could not possibly... How could it work out if...? Where would they live? What would they do to support themselves?

How foolish she was being! Of course he did not love her. Perhaps she should let him go alone to Hagenheim and keep some distance between them. But her argument had been true. Anything could happen, and the two of them would more likely reach Hagenheim if they traveled together than if he went alone. And if she was not ready to let him go on an adventure without her, then why should anyone judge her? He was handsome and capable and... she trusted him.

Her cheeks heated and fear filled her stomach like hot coals. She cared for him, and it was terrifying.

Nineteen

Steffan knew he should leave Katerina in Keiterhafen. He should sneak away tonight and ensure she was safe with the women who had taken in the children. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her while they were riding to Hagenheim. And he wasn’t worried anything would happen to him. Of course he’d get to Hagenheim all right. He’d been riding alone for a year now, ever since he left the Teutonic Knights and Wolfgang and his sister-in-law in Poland. But... he wanted her with him. He couldn’t understand it. Was it because she wanted to go and he didn’t want to say no to her? Or was it because he didn’t like the thought of not seeing her for several days?

Perhaps it was best if he didn’t examine his motives.

He quickly found the gentle but young and vigorous gelding he’d noticed earlier and paid the horse breeder what he asked without haggling, then walked him back to Frau Goschen’s stable.

When he entered, Kat was sitting in the middle of the stable holding her face in her hands. When she heard him, she quickly pulled her hands away.

“Here’s your new horse.”

Katerina stepped toward the animal, smiling. Steffan lay down on the hay and watched her as she rubbed the horse, talking softly to him. She was so gentle and kind to animals and children, but he had no doubt she would cut a man to ribbons if he laid a hand on her, and she had no trouble facing down a wolf and stabbing it straight through. She reminded him a bit of his sister-in-law Mulan, even though the two were not very similar in appearance. Katerina’s hair was not black and her eyes were blue instead of brown, and she was taller and broader in the shoulders, but both women were fierce and strong. He imagined the two would be great friends.

His eyes were closing on their own. He was more tired than he’d realized, and the cut on his chest was paining him. Frau Goschen came into the stable and started talking to Katerina, asking her if she’d like to take a bath. She responded rather enthusiastically. Well, enthusiastic for Katerina.

“We’ll let Steffan sleep,” the woman said, and he was grateful, though he badly needed a bath himself. Perhaps he would be able to take a quick bath before they rode to Hagenheim in the morning.

***

Katerina was up before the sun the next morning, saddling her horse alongside Steffan, who was saddling his. She knew she’d soon be galloping east, getting dusty from the road, sweaty from the exercise, and dirty from resting on the ground. But at least she’d had a bath the day before, which had quite refreshed her. Steffan had taken one after he’d slept an hour or two, then she’d slept in the house in a makeshift bed on the floor while Steffan stayed in the stable.

She’d noticed he looked flushed again just before she left him. And this morning he was moving a bit slow.

“Are you well, Steffan? Did you apply the healing salve to your wounds this morning?” She turned to watch him.

“Yes. Why would you ask?” He adjusted his saddle and didn’t look at her.

“Are you sure you are well? Let me see your face.”

There wasn’t much light in the stable before dawn, but when he turned to her, she could see the frown. She stepped forward and raised her hand to his forehead and pressed the back of her hand to his skin.

Her heart beat hard as she realized how close she was, that she was touching his brow and gazing into his eyes. He bent his head toward hers. Would he kiss her?

She held her breath. His eyes were searching hers. Had he seen her staring at his lips a moment before?

What was she doing? He must think her wanton. She jerked her hand away and took a step back.

He blinked and raised his hand to her cheek. “Thank you for caring.” With the back of his fingers he caressed her skin very lightly, then let his hand fall to his side. “I did feel a bit feverish last night, but I am well this morning. Must have been the lack of sleep, and it was a very warm day yesterday.”

He went back to readying his horse as if nothing had happened. She did the same, because nothinghadhappened. She’d been concerned about him having a fever or being ill, that was all. Nothing more. But her heart still thumped erratically. What would it have felt like if he had kissed her? Would she have been horrified? Would she have berated him? Or would she have liked it, only to feel like a fool when he went back to Hagenheim and she never saw him again?

Her heart finally went back to beating normally. Soon they were on the road east to Hagenheim, riding their horses at a fast trot. No doubt Steffan didn’t want to tire them out too soon. Katerina was determined to show him she could keep up, no matter how fast he went, so she made sure to stay alongside him and not behind him. Once or twice she even overtook him to see if he wanted to go faster, but he never picked up the pace.

They had been riding about two hours when she noticed Steffan seemed to be slowing down. When she glanced at him, his shoulders were slightly bowed. Maybe it was a military tactic to conserve his strength. Was she imagining that they were moving slower and slower? She urged her horse to move faster and looked back at Steffan. His face was definitely flushed. Had the fever returned?

“Let us stop here,” Kat said.

“Why?” He had a stubborn look in his eyes.

“I need a rest.”

Steffan guided his horse off the road. The sun was halfway up in the sky, and it was warm. They dismounted and Steffan took a drink, then ran a hand over his cheek.