“That was the idea,” he confessed. Wyatt swayed her to the side slowly, before tilting her back in his arms. Leaning over her, he kissed her passionately.
Dancing until their feet grew tired, they eventually laid down in the soft grass. Time seemed to slow as they exchanged tender kisses and passion-filled caresses. Their hearts, bodies, and spirits seeking loving reassurances from each other. Lost in blissful hope, they seized a few tender and precious moments just for themselves.
A couple of hours later, Addi watched as Nev and Wyatt strolled back into camp. They were arm in arm and looking very content and more relaxed. They also seemed to be lacking anything that could pass for dinner. Addi shook her head a bit and smiled to herself. “Glad you two are back and looking well. I left some provisions on your bedrolls. Goodnight,” Addi said warmly. With that, Addi laid down and let herself fall asleep.
Chapter 35
With the rain subsiding, Addi had gotten the group up and moving early the next morning. They had walked for several miles when she stopped. Dusk was approaching, and Nellis’ house was just through this patch of woods. Moments before, Addi had decided this was a good place to stop and discuss how they planned to handle things. “So, I think we need a plan,” she said.
“A plan for what? For what to do when Nellis decides he is going to make you go through with it after all?” Wyatt asked, grinning from ear to ear.
“Go through with what?” asked Nev innocently.
“Oh, Addi was supposed to,” Wyatt replied, stopping as he saw Addi glaring at him. “Maybe it is better left as a surprise,” he added, still smiling.
Addi shook her head. “A plan for what we tell people. I know you both believe that Nev is the lost heiress, but maybe we don’t want to tell everyonethat. But we will need to tell Nellis and possibly others something. At least, if we expect them to help us. So, I am asking you both for your opinions on what exactly we do tell them,” Addi explained.
Wyatt nodded. “Oh. Well, that… that is actually quite sensible, Addi,” he concluded.
Addi scowled at him and retorted, “You don’t need to sound so surprised, dear brother.”
Nev had been listening to their exchange, but her focus was being drawn toward something approaching from the distance. She took a few steps and walked past where Addi and Wyatt were still discussing what they should tell people. “Three, no four and one,” Nev reported quietly, exhaling deeply and walking farther away from Wyatt and Addi.
Wyatt shushed Addi as he stared at Nev. Suddenly, he felt what she’d already sensed. They were about to no longer be alone. “How many, Nev?” asked Wyatt as he scanned the surrounding woods.
“What is it? What are you two on about?” Addi pressed, feeling confused and unexpectedly on edge.
Nev didn’t turn to respond. She pulled her chainmail shirt from her pack and unclasped her cloak, letting it fall behind her. “Wyatt, help me,” she instructed, glancing back at him.
Wyatt sprang into action and gently, but quickly slipped the shirt over Nev. He heard her wince once as he adjusted it over her shoulder. “You are still hurt. I really don’t like this,” he complained, his voice full of concern. He picked up her cloak and refastened it around her before lifting her chin and staring into her eyes. “If we are really doing this, then just… well, be careful. Please,” he implored her before kissing her lightly.
Nev smiled at him and replied, “I will. You too.”
“Someone, please tell me what is happening or is about to happen,” Addi demanded, unhooking and prepping her crossbow.
Wyatt turned and flashed a grin at her. “Apparently, life has decided we needed a little more excitement today,” he jested, trying to ease the building tension.
A scream suddenly pierced through the air. It was a voice Addi recognized, and it was filled with panic and drawing closer to them. “Nellis!” Addi shouted, her voice bursting with alarm.
A man abruptly erupted out of the woods and ran straight past Nev. He was a little older than any of them and had short, dark black hair that was matted to his face from sweat. In his hand was an impressive looking metal pike, with a dark green sash tied to one end. Other than his pike, he had nothing that made him look like he was ready for the battle that seemed to be pursuing him. His clothing was plain and simple, and he wore no armor of any kind.
Screaming for help, the man literally crashed right into Wyatt. He had been far too focused on what he was fleeing from to see what he was running towards. “Hey, Nellis. Rough day?” Wyatt asked, chuckling.
“W-Wyatt?” Nellis stuttered in the brogue common of folk from the Isle of Shalemore. “What? How? It doesn’t matter. Enforcers… four of them. They are right behind me,” Nellis said, shooting panicked looks at Wyatt, Nev, and Addi. His gaze locked on Addi for a moment. “Addi? I haven’t seen you since… since,” his voice trailed off.
“Hi, Nellis,” Addi greeted, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.
Nev cleared her mind and let the discussion happening around her fall to the background. She drew her dagger and sword and waited. The sounds of the enforcers were becoming quickly louder, but she mostly ignored them. Another distinct sound had caught her attention. It was the one she was waiting for and the one she would need to deal with. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her increasingly racing mind.
Wyatt let out a heavy sigh as he felt the focus of Nev’s attention. “A prowler,” he sighed, moving to put a hand on Nev’s right shoulder.
“A prowler!” Nellis and Addi exclaimed
