Page 97 of The Piper's Pursuit

After a moment he said, “Should I go after Hennek’s guard?”

“No!” She pulled away enough to look into his eyes. “Please don’t leave me.” She never wanted him to leave her, ever again.

***

Steffan had never seen that look on Katerina’s face before. “I promise I won’t leave you.” Then he noticed the blood spatters on her dress. “Are you hurt?” His heart lurched.

“No, but I need someone to go fetch the healer for Hans. He was stabbed... in my house. You there!” She called out to a man gawking at Hennek and the soldier who had him on the ground.

The man looked up. “Yes, Bürgermeister Katerina?”

“Go and fetch the healer and take her to my house. There is an injured man there. Or if he is not there, find him. His name is Hans Schuster.”

“Yes, Fräulein.” He hurried away.

Steffan’s soaring heart sank. “Hans? Your friend?” He swallowed. “He was injured?”

“I stabbed him.” Her voice was devoid of emotion and her eyes stared blankly at Steffan’s chest.

“You stabbed him?”

“He betrayed me. He helped Hennek escape... for money.” Her chin trembled.

He pulled her close. His insides twisted at seeing her pain. Then he felt her shoulders shaking. She was sobbing.

He caressed her shoulder. “It is all right. I will not let anyone hurt you or your mother ever again.”

“Mother?” She pulled away and turned around. She held out her hand to her mother, who came to her and they embraced.

People were still gathering. He heard a few shouts far down the street, and hoped that meant Hennek’s guard had been captured. Hennek was lying on the ground, calling down curses and God’s wrath on everyone around him.

Steffan wasn’t sure what to do. Katerina was wiping her face with her hands, breathing deeply and no longer crying.

How dare that Hans betray Katerina? He was the only person she trusted. Steffan was glad Katerina had stabbed him.

“Should I go and help them find Hans?”

“No,” she said quickly, stepping toward him. She slipped her arms around him. “I need you here. With me.”

He held her tight and whispered next to her ear, “I wasn’t sure you wanted me.”

“Of course I want you.” She nestled her head against his shoulder. “You make me feel safe.”

“I shall guard you night and day, whether you want me to or not.”

She said softly, “I want you to.”

His heart beat faster. It was not exactly the reunion he had expected, but it was almost better than the one he’d hoped for.

She lifted her head, and he pulled away enough to look into her eyes. She placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. “If you don’t mind living in our little town, would you be the captain of the guard? I need someone I trust, someone who is brave and good.”

“I would be honored to be your captain of the guard.”

“Thank you.” She was staring at his lips. She reached up and touched his cheek, cupping his jaw in her hand.

He leaned down and kissed her lips lightly, then more firmly, and she kissed him back.

Hennek’s voice invaded his thoughts. He broke off the kiss to see the guards leading Hennek away as he spit angry words at everyone around him.