Chapter 15
“There, you’re perfect,” Sarah said as she placed the last pin in Eva’s hair.
Half of Eva’s hair hung loose around her shoulders, and the sides were drawn up into a braid and pinned. She was ready to announce she was giving her life to her enemy.
It had been two days since she’d seen Krieger. She was hoping that with time, he would come back. But the longer he stayed away, the more she questioned if he had decided to leave Everwood for good.
Pain bloomed in her chest, twisting her stomach. Don’t think of him. You can’t have him. . .
She had to focus on her plan. Everwood would finally be safe, as well as her father, her crew. They would be able to live in peace and wouldn’t suffer the same fate as her mother.
“I think I’m going to wear the purple sweater tonight, what do you think?” Sarah placed the item over her torso and stood in front of Eva’s small mirror that sat on top of her chest of drawers.
With a little effort, Eva forced a smile. “That color looks great on you.” Her eyes cast down as she fumbled with the zipper of her brown jacket.
Sarah turned to her. “Eva, you’ve never been chatty, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look depressed. What’s going on? Does this have anything to do with the fact Derek and Krieger haven’t been seen in days?”
Eva snapped her head up, and she met Sarah’s knowing stare. “Derek isn’t in Everwood?”
Sarah shook her head. “He hasn’t shown up for training. Luke and John haven’t seen him either. Did something happen between the three of you?”
Eva took a deep breath. She had been so caught up in her own feelings over Krieger that she hadn’t paid any attention to Derek’s whereabouts. She had been in no hurry to see him again. Her fists tightened at the thought of him and his betrayal.
“You could say that. Do you know if my father has been notified?”
Sarah changed into her purple sweater, straightened the hem, and spun to face Eva. “I don’t think so. What’s the story with you guys?”
Heat flooded Eva’s cheeks as she moved to the wood stove in the corner of her room and stoked the heated coals. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated because you and Krieger are in love and Derek is jealous?”
Eva felt her jaw drop as she twisted to face Sarah. “I’m not—I mean, we’re not...”
Sarah laughed and walked toward Eva. She pulled an item out of her pocket and grabbed Eva’s arm. “I have never seen you smile as much as you do when you’re with him. You’re different, in a good way. More like your old self. Like you used to be before your mom passed.” She placed a braided leather strap around Eva’s wrist and secured it. “There. I made these so we could have matching friendship bracelets. And you will always know you have a friend in me.”
Eva’s vision became blurry as warmth spread across her chest. “Thank you, Sarah, this means a lot to me. I-I just miss her so much.” Eva played with the ends of the bracelet.
“I know. You’ve kept your distance from us since she passed. But, Eva, you don’t have to punish yourself. Your mom would want you to be happy. Really, truly happy. If Krieger is the one for you, then don’t let the past, Derek, or even your father stop you from being together. You are in charge of your own destiny, not anyone else.”
Sarah embraced her, and the smell of rosemary surrounded Eva.
Eva stilled, then with slow motions, placed her arms around her.
Had she been punishing herself? Was Sarah right? Eva’s blood ran cold. It didn’t matter even if she was. She had agreed to the peace treaty, and Krieger was gone.
As Sarah pulled back, Eva wiped at a stray tear. “You’re a really good friend, Sarah.”
Sarah’s smile widened. “So are you, Eva. Now, let’s go and enjoy the Harvest Celebration.”
Eva nodded, then blew out the candle on her stool. Sarah held the door open, and a cold breeze gusted into her room. As they emerged onto the bridge, snow began to fall.
“Oh! It’s snowing, Eva, look.” Sarah’s eyes glowed with an innocence that Eva admired.
She was one of the many reasons Eva had agreed to the peace treaty. Sarah deserved to live in a world where she was safe. Safe to find her own happiness.
Even if it was too late for her, she could still make it happen for others. Sarah was one of the best people Eva knew. Maybe she should tell Sarah about the announcement tonight, so she wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Sarah held her hand up, catching the large flakes as music from the hall floated on the air around them. “Sarah, there’s something I—”
“Ahh, I love this song. Let’s hurry.” Sarah grabbed her hand and raced down the wooden deck and up the flight of stairs. Lanterns illuminated their way as they entered the gathering.
Colored flagged banners were strung across the ceiling, and the large chandelier had been fully lit and brightened the room. Greenery had been collected and sat in glass jars as centerpieces on the tables. Savory scents filled the room as commotion in the kitchen met her ears.
“I’ll be right back, I think they need my help,” Sarah said as she rolled her eyes, then strode through the door of the kitchen.
The hearth had been lit, providing the area with warmth as people filed in and filled the area. The small band played in the corner. A flute, violin, and tambourine played while an older woman sang a pretty tune.
White lace tablecloth was strewn across the buffet tables as workers brought the food out. Candles had been placed on the tables and across the hearth. The sight was bittersweet.
Eva loved this time of year. The Harvest Celebration was her favorite holiday, yet this year, she yearned... for someone.
Krieger wasn’t there to see how festive the hall was decorated or smell the delicious food—cooked special for the evening. He wasn’t here to hold her hand or dance to the music.
He wasn’t here to share the special evening with her. She gasped as she clutched her chest, the empty hole she felt there blooming as the seconds ticked by.What had she done?
Pushing people away, keeping everyone at a distance, and trying to control the situation at all times hadn’t saved her from Derek’s lie. Maybe if she had been a better friend to him, he would have told her years ago and many lives would have been saved.
Was she repeating the same mistake now?
Her eyes scanned the crowd—she needed to talk to her father. She had thought Derek’s confession wouldn’t mean anything to the settlement leaders, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe there was hope of another way.
Her father was walking across the stage, paper in hand, and her heart plummeted into her stomach. No...
She pushed through the crowd, weaving across the hall toward the stairs for the stage.
Samuel Wolf cleared his throat as members of the council joined him and formed a line.
“Everyone... can I have everyone’s attention? The council and I have an important announcement. Eva—” The band stopped playing as he studied the crowd, finding her scaling the stairs. “Ah, yes, Eva, please come stand by me. This couldn’t be achieved without you.”
She moved to his side. “Dad, I need to speak—”
His hand with the peace treaty raised high. “The council and I are happy to announce that we have come to terms with Stone Haven. A peace treaty has been signed, and it’s all thanks to this lady right here. Eva, do you want to say a few words?”
Eva tugged at her collar that now felt too tight. Heat prickled the back of her neck. Why was it so hot in here?She moved to the front of the stage, but as she gazed out into the faces of her people, her words died in her throat.Her eyes filled with tears as her emotions warred within her.
She closed her eyes and said, “I just—”
“Stop!”
Eva’s eyes flew open, her eyes landing on the man standing in the doorway.
A sigh of relief left her lips. “Krieger.”
Her feet were moving before she even had a second thought, carrying her off the stage and through the crowd that parted like the Red Sea. At the end was him.
His clothes were dirty, and his hair was in shambles, a wavy lock falling onto his forehead. His hazel eyes held hers.
Her insides squeezed in the best way. He had come back. For her?
He strode to her, meeting her in the middle of the hall. His outstretched arms wrapped around her, lifting her with ease.
She held onto him, tucking her head in the crook of his neck. “You came back.”
Whispers filled the room; everyone was watching them. But she didn’t care because his strong arms were around her. She breathed in his masculine scent and memorized the curve of his neck as he trailed his hand down her back.
“Eva!” Her father’s voice boomed in the hall.
She pulled away from Krieger, and he cupped her face. “Something has happened, I need to tell you about it, now. Can we go somewhere to talk?”
She nodded and let him lead her out of the hall, the murmurs following them out the door.
He tucked them between two huts so they wouldn’t be easily found and checked to make sure they hadn’t been followed, then turned back to her.
Wasting no time, she pressed her lips to his. She hated that she wanted him this much, but she couldn’t help it.
He deepened the kiss, his lips demanding, as if he were a drowning man and she was the air he so desperately needed. She met his desire as he eased her against the wall of the hut.
“Angel.” He was breathless as he said, “They’re coming.”
“Who’s coming?”
“General Rush and some men. Eva, Derek is planning on getting them to the front gate.”
Eva’s breath caught in her throat. “Derek? No, he’s a lot of things. But he would never do that!”
“He made a deal with them—the settlement for you.”
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe. She raked her hands through her hair as she moved around him. “How do you know this?”
She searched his face. His eyes, they looked different. She couldn’t place why, but there was an edge to his appearance now. “Krieger, what happened to you?”
He cupped her face once more, pain etched across his brow. He took a deep breath and said, “Eva, my real name is—”
Before he could tell her, an explosion rocked the settlement, and fire lit the ground floor as screams erupted from the hall. His face paled before her as gunfire sounded below.
Adrenaline surged in her veins as she broke their embrace and ran down the bridge.