Avelyn nodded towards the two men. ‘Well, from their response, I suppose I should ask if any of the tales are true.’
‘No.’
‘Then why do you let them exist?’
‘Exist? I’ve done more than just let them exist, I’ve fed them, nurtured them, letting them grow beyond the believable.’
‘Why would you do such a thing?’
‘Because the rumours keep people away. The tales keep me from having to explain myself. And because in all honesty, the fearsome reputation of King David’s Wolves keeps all of us safer.’
‘Safer?’
‘If you believed someone was heartless, merciless and bloodthirsty, would you recklessly attack, or even provoke, that person, or would you think twice about doing so?’
‘Since I would think long and hard about such an action, I suppose your reasoning makes sense.’
‘Good. Just don’t share that knowledge with anyone.’
She toyed with a lock of hair at the nape of his neck. ‘I should be jealous.’ Her voice had been little more than a whisper, as if she’d been speaking to herself.
Elrik briefly closed his eyes at the shiver rippling down his spine, before asking just as softly, ‘Why?’
She twirled the lock around her finger before releasing it with a sigh. ‘Your hair curls so nicely.’
He frowned at another shiver as her fingertips brushed against his neck. The sound of muffled choking as Samuel and Fulke fought desperately not to laugh reminded him that they were not alone.
Elrik reached up to stay her hand. ‘Lady Avelyn, we should be getting back on the road.’
That wasn’t what he’d wanted to say. He’d been torn between ordering her to stop the distracting touch and asking her to continue. Since his men were close at hand, he couldn’t decide. The safest course of action seemed to be avoidance. That would be more easily accomplished if they were once again travelling.
Thankfully she didn’t argue or question his abrupt change of mind. Instead, she quietly waited while he once again donned the mailed head covering and helmet before helping her mount her waiting horse.
Once she was again secured between the rolls of padding on the saddle, she reached down and touched his shoulder. ‘I apologise if I said, or did, anything unseemly.’
‘You did nothing.’
She jerked her hand away, making him feel foolish for using such a gruff tone. Elrik covered her hand, now resting on the pommel, with one of his and moved closer until his chest rested against her leg. ‘Lady Avelyn, I would like nothing more than to spend the day enjoying your company.’ He nodded towards his men, who were both pacing their horses on the road, apparently anxious to get underway. ‘But I would prefer to do so without such an avid audience.’
Without looking at him, she nodded. Then her lips curved into a small smile and she turned to stare at him, a look of surprise on her face as if she’d just now understood his words. ‘Oh!’
She curled her fingers around his to squeeze lightly. ‘Thank you for saying such a kind thing.’
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