Page 27 of To Honor

“If I had fought a mystical beast,” he said, “I’d certainly offer to tell you such a tale.” The archer turned his attention to him. “I’ve heard of your exploits, Sir Gareth.”

“Gareth,” he offered. If they were to train together, they could dispense with titles.

“And I am simply Darien,” he said to all four of them.

“He is actually Lord Ellsworth,” Roland said. “The eldest son who stands to inherit an earldom.”

That managed to surprised Gareth and Alden.

“An earldom we’ve heard nothing of?” Alden asked the question for him.

“I am from the Island of Ely. Its marshland and barely navigable waterways make it quite inaccessible. My ancestors have a long history of remaining mostly hidden.”

“’Tis true,” Roland said. “Ellsworth is a mystery to many. They’ve long made it a practice not to become involved in court politics.”

“How do you know of them?” Gareth asked.

In response, Roland offered one of his smug smiles. The man was insufferable at times. If he were not so loyal, and entertaining, they would cast him out of their group. One that seemed to now include Darien.

“His opinion of himself,” Alden said, “is highly inflated, as you can tell. If you can bear it, you are welcome to train with us. Afterward, we can give you a tour of the grounds.”

“Darien can train with us?” Gareth asked. “Or we with him? None can match his aim, including even Roland.”

Roland frowned at that but said nothing since Gareth’s words were true.

“I would be glad to train with you,” Darien said.

It seemed their small group had swelled to four, and though Gareth was glad for it, as the archer was as skilled as any and seemed a good man, his heart was still heavy for lack of news from Evie. If he did not hear from her by the morrow, he would go to the village anyway in hopes of seeing her there.

And if she did not come?

Gareth refused to consider it.

14

He was here.

The moment Evie turned the corner, a flash of black against the blue sky above the lake confirmed her heart’s desire. Gareth was here, waiting for her, even though they’d not designated such a meeting, precisely.

Without thinking, she ran to him. Gareth engulfed her as she slammed against him, his arms wrapping around her in a way she’d never been embraced before. Hugged? Aye. But held as if she were something precious, her own arms wrapped around his waist as if she would not let go?

It was a first for her, and Evie very much enjoyed it. Having thought of nothing but him for days, unsure if she’d see him again . . . she sighed against his chest. His arms tightened around her, if such a thing were even possible.

“I did not think to see you again,” she admitted some time later as she pulled away just slightly.

“Nor I you.”

She had much to tell him. But looking into Gareth’s eyes, ones that told her as much as any words could, Evie did not want to talk.

She wanted to be loved by him.

“I’m going to kiss you, Evie.”

“I know,” she said, able to sense it before he said the words.

Gareth lowered his head. She stood on her tiptoes, clinging to the arms of his surcoat for leverage. Looking into his eyes one last time until he closed them, and she did the same, Evie waiting for that first touch.

It was everything she imagined.