Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)(53)

“No.” His sharp response startles me. I drop my hands, leaving my locks to look wild and untamed.

“We won’t be traveling much longer. And you won’t always be pretending to be a boy. You should keep it long.”

I know, without a mirror, my clean skin is pink, and not just from the scrubbing. The clatter of pots and pans is a reminder that Cohen isn’t the only person in the room. I turn to see Enat tossing cut vegetables into a pot.

“Do you need water for supper?” I ask. “I can run to the well.”

She wipes her hands on a well-worn apron. “If you’re willing to go out in the storm, I won’t stop you.”

I’ve taken a half-dozen steps outside when the door opens behind me.

“I’d ask if you need help, but I know better than that.” The delight in Cohen’s gold and brown earth-toned eyes is barely visible in the thin moonlight that breaks past the storm clouds and treetops. “Mind some company?”

I’m a fool because all I can think about is touching his jaw. Is it as smooth as it looks?

“I suppose I could tolerate it,” I choke out.

Cohen’s mouth lifts on the left side, and my knees weaken. I miss him. I miss how he always made me laugh. I miss how I could be myself when we were together. I miss that crooked smile.

“So, what do you think of Enat?” I ask as we walk. The rain patters gently around us, catching my shoulder, my nose.

He shrugs and pulls the bucket from my hands before taking a seat at the well’s edge. “She knows more than I expected.”

“And?”

“And she’s going to get us in to talk to Millner Barret. That’s more than we had before. In the end, Saul gave his life for the king. I’m . . . well, I’m honored I was able to work with him, learn from him.”

The pride that fills me is followed by warmth from the truth in his words.

“Do you think we can trust Enat?” I push the length of wet hair over my shoulder.

He glances up at me from where he has sat to lower the bucket into the well. A few raindrops hit his cheek before he wipes them away. “We’ve had our fair share of bad luck on this trip, but she’s different. I think we can trust her.”

“You sound so sure.”

“You never trust anyone, Britt. And I understand why. It’s not like you’ve had many opportunities to exercise your trust in others. But I have a gut feeling about Enat.”

I consider asking him what his gut was telling him when we pulled into the inn at Padrin, but decide to keep the question to myself.

“I’m not sure what I think of Enat. There’s something different about her,” I say. Some water sloshes from the bucket as he pulls it to the top of the well, plinking against the depths below.

“Besides her hiding in the woods and shooting arrows at anything headed in her direction?” He huffs out a short laugh.

I roll my eyes.

“Tell me.” He reaches out and grabs my hand. His touch makes any reservations roll belly-up. “What’s different about her?”

“You know how I know when someone’s being honest?”

“Yes.” His hand squeezes. “What happened?”

“I cannot tell if she’s speaking the truth or not. I’ve asked her a few questions, and I didn’t feel anything when she responded.”

I don’t even realize I’ve lowered my gaze until Cohen’s callused fingers guide my chin up so he can scan my face. “You asked her a question and felt nothing at all?”

“Exactly.”

“How is that possible?”

I give him a look. “I don’t know.”

“Was she being vague?” His fingers leave my chin. “For this to work, doesn’t she have to give a specific answer?”

“I think so.”

“You think?”

“This thing, it’s a little different with everyone.” Mostly you, is what I should say. Everyone else registers about the same. “I noticed it when she was talking about King Aodren. I figured then it was probably me, until I asked her about the well water. When she spoke, I didn’t feel anything. It’s her. She’s different somehow.”

“That’s strange” is all he says, and a line forms on his brow as he stares off. He runs his right hand over his face. Up and down, up and down, stuck on the track of his scar. I’m caught by the mesmerizing motion until lightning flashes, and one, two, three seconds later the thunder answers, a great grizzly bear roaring into the night.

“So, do you still think we can trust her?”

He nods. “Yes.”

“You’re so certain. You’re always so confident.” I wish I had the same conviction. I suppose if Enat wanted to hurt us, she would’ve. I’ve no doubt she’s capable. That’s a testament to her character.

“You trust her enough to meet with Millner?” I ask.

“I do,” he says thoughtfully.

Lightning cracks across the sky again, and in the burst of colorless light I notice how close we’re sitting—?the width of the bucket separates us. I lower my gaze from his, but it catches on his lips. Then noticing the slow movement his throat makes as he swallows, I eventually drop my focus to my lap and the space between us.