I was a fool to not see this coming; I should have demanded talking to her when I heard the spy came. Her father knows she is alive or will know. Why did I think she would know we needed to stick together. Unless he sends an army, which he won’t, there is safety in numbers. And then there is Willy. Maybe it is time I share my life with her. She still worries I will not be prepared for what he may do. He has a replacement now. He may ignore the news if, as she says, he really loves her mother.
She has warriors, commanders, strategists, assassins, and thieves all around her, and still, she doubts her safety. I know what she fears; we will be overconfident. We won’t. We know that is the true enemy. My people are bonded in a way she cannot understand…yet.
I won’t tell her the news I have until after she is well and we have had a talk about where she no longer belongs, and that for now, this was her home and her family. That is until she finds where she belongs in life. Which, like many of my rescues, ends up being here, but not all.
I admit, I still keep my eye on those who leave to make sure they do not end up back where they started.
While I may not always like the person I am helping, I feel obligated to see to their safety and comfort. I will not accept anything less, and I will not rest until I know Eira and Nim are safe to pursue their lives as they wish.
