Reprimanded was likely putting her future punishment mildly. She wished she could say it was unfounded, but she was prepared to accept her fate.
“Then I’ll head into the village and get something to eat,” Nic said reluctantly.
“We’ll meet you there,” Theon said firmly.
With a last glance at Kate to confirm that she was all right with being left alone with Theon, Nic turned and took off at a clip. Kate watched him leave, afraid to return her gaze to her angry bodyguard.
“Despite everything, I’m not sorry that I came here,” she said when silence fell between them. “I did this to help my sister and I’m devastated that I failed. I know you despise me right now and I’m positive that my father was enraged when he learned I was gone.” She drew in a tired breath. “But I had to do it.”
When sh
