The Liberian

Chapter 62

“He is not really the type for official business.” Derek’s voice was cool. “He said you two had a strange relationship.” Derek raised an eyebrow at her statement. “When he came to my cell, during the trial.”

“Did he?” Derek chuckled darkly. “That is one way to describe it.”

“You don’t get along.” Halle didn’t need to have siblings to see it.

“Our relationship works when we need it to, how we need it to. We normally have an understanding.” His guarded words and tone made it clear she wouldn’t get any more out of him.

Halle yawned again despite herself. “I should go, I suppose.” She glanced away. In truth, she had no interest in leaving.

“You have not eaten yet.” The sentiment seemed to be mutual. “I could get us some food.”

“All right.” It was easy to agree.

Derek stood and stretched. He grabbed his chainmail from where it hung on a peg by his other armor and pulled it over his head.

Halle leaned back, studying the subtle grace to his movements. “Is chainmail really necessary in camp?”

Derek paused, and she watched his face become pained. “You can never be too careful,” he murmured. His demeanor changed back before Halle could comment on it. “Wait here, I will return shortly.” She nodded and he slipped out of the flap.

Halle dropped back onto the pillows strewn about rug. The whole evening, the past day, had been completely surreal, and she didn’t want it to end. He wanted her closer, or so he had said. It put butterflies in her stomach as much as it put alarms in her head.

She groaned, covering her eyes with the back of her forearm. The smart thing to do would be to end this now, whatever this was. It would be best to apologize, refuse, leave, and prevent anything further from happening. Halle tilted her head back and watched the flames dance in one of his hanging braziers. That would have been the smart thing to do, but what she actually did was lay there until he returned.

“My, you look comfortable.” Derek wore a lazy smirk.

“I’ve not had a real pillow to sleep on in over a month,” she reminded him, sitting.

“So take one.” He shrugged, placing a small sack on the table.

“I cannot take your pillow.” Halle accepted a roll he handed her.

“Why not?”

“Oh yes, by the way, the Crown Prince Derek gave me a pillow. That’s normal right?” Halle rolled her eyes.

“I hear it is all the rage for ladies’ gift-giving in the East. You mean to tell me my sources are incorrect?” Derek grinned.

“Oh cute.”

Halle grabbed one of the pillows in question and threw it in his face. It hit him square and the prince stared at her. For a moment Halle felt her nerves take over.

“You just assaulted the crown prince.” He glared, but she saw the tell-tale glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Halle, I think that violates the terms of your probation.”

“Oh? Tell me what will you do to me?” She did her best to imitate one of his trademark smirks, and she was rewarded by the spark turning to a fire in his eyes.

“I could think of quite a few things to do to you.” His voice was gravely and deep, and Halle felt a flush rise to her cheeks.

Not having a good response, she took a bite of her bread and filled the silence with chewing. He chuckled and shook his head. Halle finished her roll, and he passed her a bladder of water. Halle wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, considering the prince.

“You’re really nothing like they said,” she mused. He raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue. Halle grabbed one of the smaller scraps of meat from the bag and chewed thoughtfully. “Everyone, who ever said anything about you. It was warnings, caution.” Halle tilted her head, thinking back. “When I had lunch with your brother, he said he saved me from you, that you’d eat me alive.” She gave a small laugh and a grin, but it quickly fell from her face as she saw him tense.

“I am sure my brother would be more than happy to save anyone from me.” Derek balled a hand into a fist.

“I don’t believe them.” Halle hoped that much was obvious.

“I know.” His voice was faint, and Derek avoided her gaze. “But they are right, you know. I’m not a good person to be around.”

Halle frowned, quickly gulping down the last of her food. She shifted closer to him, leaning over to put her face in front of his, searching his features thoughtfully. “No more of that, okay?” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere, unless you say the word.”

His lips parted slightly as his jaw went slack. “It’s late.”

“It is,” she agreed.

The silence that settled over them was an odd mix of comfortable and painful. Halle found her heart trying hard to escape her chest. Hesitantly, she reached out. Her fingertips brushed lightly against his knuckles. He held her gaze, and she closed her fingers around his.

“You should go,” he breathed. There was a tension there that Halle had never heard before.

“I should,” she agreed.

Neither of them moved.

“Halle,” Derek whispered. Her name strained against his lips, and she found some part of her relishing the sound.

“Derek?” she replied in kind.

He squeezed her hand fiercely a moment, and she held her breath. But as he relinquished his hold, she felt the insanity that had overcome them in that brief exchange dissipating into the air. “I will ride with you tomorrow,” he promised. “Don’t ride with anyone else. Stay by my side.”

Halle nodded. “I will. I promise.”

Derek helped her to her feet, and she stood facing him, her fingers still in his. Slowly he raised her knuckles to his face and gently pressed his lips against them. His mouth was soft and the heat of his breath sent a small shiver down her spine.