Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)(92)

“Britta.” He says my name almost reverently as his eyes sweep over my face.

“I thought you went to the castle to sleep.”

A half smile plays on his mouth. “I did take a small nap, but I’m restless without you near. And even more restless when I see Leif at your side.” He frowns and I laugh. “I’d rather be here and exhausted than anywhere else.”

His words put a lump in my throat. “I didn’t know you were welcome to sleep at the castle.”

“That changes after you help save the king’s life.”

Is that so? I wonder. I glance around my cottage and hope that my life is done changing. I’m happy right here.

I shift to the side of the bed. “There’s room for two. Perhaps then we can both get some rest.”

He drops down beside me, maneuvering his arm beneath my head so I’m curled into his body.

“Tell me what happened after we split up in the woods,” he says.

I explain about the captain’s attack and Enat’s death. When tears trail down my cheeks, he kisses them away and then smiles so sweetly at me, I temporarily forget my heartache.

“Bernard and I made it nearly to Finn’s camp when we were overcome by a group of guards,” Cohen says. He goes on to tell how the captain set up the entire trap. Finn may be in the king’s army, but he was never in danger of being moved to the frontline. The captain, who hoped to flush Cohen out of hiding and anyone willing to help him, spread those rumors.

I’m tempted to spend time thinking of all the ways we could’ve done things differently. How we might’ve spared Enat’s life. But one thing Enat taught me is to stop living in the past and look toward the future.

Gillian crosses the room to the fireplace and adds a log to the fire before excusing herself and leaving Cohen and me alone in the cottage.

“All that matters is you’re here with me,” I tell him.

Cohen presses his hand to his chest. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard such sweet words out of your smart mouth.”

“I promise not to make a habit out of it.” My smile mirrors his.

He takes my hand and adds pressure. “I should be thanking you. You saved my life.”

“We did it together.”

“Together,” he murmurs into my hair. “I like that.”

I do too. I look into the crawling flames. The wood crackles and pops as the fire licks its edges, until it’s consuming the log. We’re bathed in glorious heat.

Gillian returns a short while later and drops into my father’s chair. She pulls out her knitting. I curl up against Cohen’s sturdy frame, intoxicated by the feeling of peace in my home.

“How long do you think she’ll stay?” Cohen whispers mischievously to me.

“It could be days or weeks. I don’t know. She seems tenacious.”

“Then she better get used to me kissing you and taking advantage of your immobile state.”

My eyes widen at the warmth in his warning while he grins down at me.

“I almost lost you.” He draws a strand of hair away from my cheek and leaves his fingers resting against my skin. “After the guards caught me and brought me in, I was certain Omar would have my head before I ever saw your face again.” His playful smile fades as his eyes lower to my hands in my lap. “I never want to lose you.”

“Lose me?”

“I won’t lose you. You’re mine, and I’m yours. And if I have to take on the world to make it so, I’ll do it.”

His truth burns hot inside my chest, taking my breath away.

He inclines his head, his lips a whisper away from mine. “I love you.” The vibration of his words sends shivers to my toes. There’s no one else who has this sort of hold on me. Which makes me feel like everything in my world is finally right.



Before sunset, Cohen leaves to meet with Captain Omar to make a strategy to hunt down the mysterious Spiriter who was controlling King Aodren.

He isn’t gone long, though. No more than an hour has passed when I feel the tiny pull inside. The tingling awareness that Cohen is nearby. It’s odd how much stronger the sensation is, compared to the last few weeks, which makes me wonder if there’s something more to my hypersensitivity to Cohen than just the anticipation of seeing him.

I breathe out a sigh of relief knowing he’s returned, only to be surprised when he knocks at the door. Strange. Papa’s cottage has always been his second home, and Cohen always felt comfortable entering at will.

Gillian leaves my side to answer the door. When she pulls it open, I look up with a wide smile painted across my face.

Only, a crown set on rich golden hair seizes my attention. My expression vanishes. “King Aodren?”

“I heard you woke, and I couldn’t wait any longer to see you.” He ducks into the room, suddenly making my cottage feel small and filthy in comparison to his bold maroon cloak and polished boots. His face looks healthier and fuller than when last I saw him.

“I wanted to come sooner, but I knew you needed time to recover,” he says. “I had to meet the girl who risked her life for me.”

Every word he speaks makes perfect sense, and yet I cannot wipe away the puzzled expression on my face. His presence has me so arrested, I don’t notice Cohen enter until he’s taken a knee before the king. Which is also when I realize I didn’t sense Cohen’s return at all.