Chapter 51
SEREH
Sereh found Erann leaning against nothing. She shook her head in disbelief, feeling disquieted. She’d intended to demand the truth. But seeing him like this – peaceful and calm, balancing on nothing – all her arguments tangled in her mind.
She approached him, her footfalls loud in the stillness of the day. He either didn’t hear or chose not to. ‘Erann?’
She stopped in front of him. For a moment, the sheer beauty of his face took her breath away.
The sunlight slanting across his face highlighted his perfect nose and jaw, his beautiful green eyes, the way his hair threatened to curl over his forehead, the stubble over his cheeks and chin. How quickly he distracted her.
She opened her mouth but he spoke first.
‘I know, Sereh. I know what you want. Give me a day or two. A bit longer to heal for both of us. You’ll have your answers – I promise.’
Erann spoke softly and insistently. His voice was rough with emotion. Any frustration, any unease Sereh had been holding on to fractured. Of course she’d give him time. He’d saved her life. She couldn’t refuse him. Not when she needed him so much.
‘I’d like us to leave here, together, all of us. To make a small journey. Will you go with me, Sereh, please?’
His blazing eyes held hers, full of hope, full of love. Full of confidence. Her resolve melted, as though she was thawing.
She allowed herself to harden just a little.
‘Yes, I’ll follow you, Erann.’ Her voice was more steady than she felt. ‘For two more days. That’s all you have.’
Sereh squeezed his shoulder and walked to the fire. She sat, stoking it absently, watching the flames rise.
She wondered why she’d added the time restraint. She hadn’t meant to. It hadn’t been intentional. And then she realised.
She couldn’t let herself hope for long.
She owed herself more than that.