Chapter 28 Humble Abode
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Humble Abode
Davin
Three exhausting weeks of traveling south had taken its toll on them.
The long days on horseback, followed by cold nights on the hard ground, holding each other for warmth, with the exception of the two nights spent in the small villages that they come upon along the way.
Davin had to admit he thoroughly enjoyed the holding each other part quite a lot.
It was an exquisite torture that he kept inflicting on himself each night.
Alex had even started seeking him out in her sleep.
She would press her ass against him, the pressure gently destroying his composure.
It took everything not to kiss her neck or find a way to alleviate his lingering erection upon waking.
They had fallen into a comfortable routine.
Eat, travel, sleep. It was easy and they worked well together, creating a natural rhythm.
Discussions often swept long into the night, flowing easily, though they never dared to delve too deep into personal territory.
Each would take on the chores necessary for the long travel days, one lighting the fire, the other skinning and preparing whatever had been caught for dinner, making and breaking camp each day, moving in synergy with one another.
Davin wondered how he would convince that bull headed woman to stay with him when they finally got to Brynn.
She would undoubtedly refuse and try to get a room in town.
If she were still being tracked, an inn would be the absolute worst choice.
His place was tucked back on the outskirts of Lasair and rarely saw travelers.
Protecting her from whomever or whatever she was running from was imperative.
Not to say his home was a fortress, but he had his own way of defending what was important to him and if he was being honest with himself, Alex was beginning to be important to him.
When he approached her at the inn, he hadn’t intended for it to be anything more than an afternoon of flirtation, but then she’d whispered in his ear and his long buried desire had roared to life.
Somehow, this exasperating, frustrating, and stubborn woman slid underneath his skin and embedded herself there.
It was only because he wanted to keep her safe, he lied to himself, unwilling to admit the truth he didn’t have words for.
He watched her, from where she rode in front of him, her braid bouncing.
A wicked grin spread across his face. They may be exhausted but there was no reason they couldn’t have a little fun.
Spurring his horse, he pulled up alongside her, raising his eyebrows suggestively, before kicking his horse into a gallop.
What the fuck? Didn’t his ass hurt? Because Sindu knew hers did.
They’d been riding every damn day for weeks but still this fool thought he could beat her in a race.
Not going to happen. Spurring her horse into a run, she blew past him, laughing, her braid flying behind her.
She looked over her shoulder, a broad smile on her face. “Lesson of the day, I don’t lose!”
Exhilaration soared through her as the wind swept past. Davin laughed behind her as he attempted to keep up.
The muscles of the mare beneath her flexed and contracted with the effort of the pace.
She wouldn’t push her much more; even the horses felt the weariness from the last few weeks, but at the moment, Alex couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so free.
She filled her lungs as full as possible and whooped with happiness.
The heaviness of the last few months had damn near crushed her.
This little bit of joy was like a balm to her bone-weary soul.
Giddy with laughter, Alex pulled her reins, slowing her horse to a walk.
Leaning down, she patted its neck, letting the mare know she did well.
Davin easily caught up with her, his hair wind blown from the race across the fields.
Laughter transformed his features into a radiant display of happiness, creasing his eyes and softening the hardened lines life was slowly etching there.
Alex couldn’t help but stare. Davin was gorgeous; she wouldn’t deny that, and a part of her wanted him badly.
It was only the memory of Rivka that drove her out of his arms each morning.
If they had met under different circumstances, she would have acted on her carnal urges.
He caught her staring and his smile turned knowing.
She just rolled her eyes. Oh, he knew he was handsome alright, but she refused to feed his ego.
Noticing her surroundings for the first time since their mad dash across the fields, she realized that she knew exactly where they were.
They had finally made it to the outskirts of the Brynn Province.
Cresting the hill they had been riding up, Alex pulled her horse to a stop.
Spread out before them was the Brynn countryside.
The Forest of Sindu, better known to its citizens as the Shadowoods, stretched to their right.
Alex knew those rolling hills dotted with bushes and clusters of trees all too well.
Taking in the view, she let out a sigh. She was home.
The hills were bathed in golden light as the setting sun painted the sky with oranges, pinks, and purples, making everything look ethereal.
A small cabin was tucked into the line of trees on the forest’s edge that she didn’t remember being there in her youth.
She shot Davin a questioning look. Seeming unconcerned, he held her gaze for a moment before speaking.
“Welcome to my humble abode.”
Alex looked between the cabin and him. “You live here? This far from town?”
“You seem surprised.” He stated. “I prefer the quiet to the bustle of the town.”
“I can see the appeal.” She gestured towards the cabin and the sunset beyond it. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you build it yourself?”
“I did. About five years ago. We…I mean I, thought that the area was fitting.” He caught his slip, but Alex had heard him. He must have shared this with someone. Maybe a parent or sibling? Maybe a lover. He had said he wasn’t married, so it wasn’t a wife.
“I have plenty of room for you to stay.” He looked at her, an emotion on his face that she couldn’t quite grasp. “It is safe here.” He cleared his throat. “I would very much like you to stay.”
Alex wasn’t sure how to respond. She needed to get into town.
She had business that couldn’t wait any longer.
This trip had already taken longer than she was comfortable with, and she had failed to get out the necessary correspondence to her battalion before leaving Kalmia.
She would have to stay, at least for tonight, though tomorrow would be determined after she spoke with him.
She needed to get back on track with her mission. Alex had to find Rivka.
She didn’t say any of the thoughts racing through her mind.
Instead, she kept it light. “Please tell me that you have a spare bed. I cannot sleep on the cold, hard ground again. Unless you are expecting me to sleep with the horses?” She offered him a wink that didn’t convey the humor she’d meant it to.
Davin chuckled, “Yes, I have a bed. I’m not an animal.”
Alex laughed, kicking him with her foot, not missing his phrasing. “You have a bed? As in a singular bed?”
“Yes, my bed.” He winked but then continued. “But I also have a couch.”
Pretending to be aghast at the implication. “Me? Sleep on the couch? Aren’t you supposed to be a gentleman?”
Davin placed his hand over his heart, feigning insult. “Of course not, princess. Where are my manners?”
“Princess, my ass.” Alex laughed as her mare came to rest next to a small horse barn.
Dismounting, they made quick work of settling the horses for the night before making their way towards the cabin.
The light was dim, night having fully descended on them.
Davin’s steps were sure, tracing a path that he obviously knew well.
Alex followed behind him, trusting him to lead her.
The porch on the front of the cabin creaked under their footsteps.
Pulling a key from the pocket of his uniform, Davin unlocked the front door, swinging it wide, gesturing for her to wait as he entered first. She was annoyed by his antics but too tired to say anything.
Coming back a second later, he motioned for her to come inside.
“So chivalrous.” She teased. But the care for her safety had touched her.
Soft light from the lanterns that he had lit shone on a quaint living room.
The cabin wasn’t big. There was a kitchen area with a round table off the back of the living room.
A short hallway led to two closed doors and what looked like a small washroom.
The living space was sparse. A single couch, barely big enough for her to lie on, against one wall.
A chair with a thin blanket draped over the arm sat in the corner of the room, next to a side table.
Both were facing a small fireplace on the far side of the room.
No pictures adorned the walls, no knick knacks on the shelves or tables.
A plush rug in blues and grays covered the living room floor, the only item making it feel a little more like a home.
Alex turned, catching Davin watching her survey his belongings. Pink crept into her cheeks, but her eyes held his gaze. “Your home is lovely, Davin. Thank you for letting me stay tonight.” She knew how to be polite when the situation called for it.