Awry

12

Tristan could tell Scarlet was frustrated.

“Last time you came, you promised not to return with food. But here you are again. With food.” Scarlet moved aside as Tristan entered her hut. “You have to stop this.”

Tristan placed the sack of goods he’d brought on their small table and started unpacking them. “Why?” He smiled. “I like bringing you food.”

Scarlet sighed. “Because I feel indebted to you and I hate that.”

“Too bad.”

“I’m serious.” Scarlet put a hand on his wrist, halting his movement. “You have to stop bringing us food.”

Tristan shook his head and pointed to the sack. “This keeps you out of the woods. It keeps you alive.”

“It keeps me in your debt.”

“You owe me nothing.”

“But I do. And it’s a heavy burden to carry.” Scarlet bit her lip. “Please stop.”

Tristan looked at her for a moment. “My generosity is a burden?”

Scarlet nodded. “I can provide for myself and my mother without you. And I need to.”

Tristan shook his head. “I don’t want you to.”

Scarlet’s eyes hardened. “If you bring another sack of food, I swear I will let it rot in the sun.”

Looking at her carefully, Tristan realized she was telling the truth. “Fine.” He squared his jaw and stopped unpacking the sack. “Come with me, then.” He headed out the open front door.

“Come with you where?” Scarlet stayed inside the hut.

She was so stubborn.

Tristan turned around. “Without my gift of food, do you intend to hunt in the forest?”

“Of course.” Scarlet looked unmoved.

“Then you will hunt with me.”

“Ha!” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll do nothing of the sort. You want to teach me to hunt? You are a fool. I need no teacher.”

Tristan raised a brow as he walked back inside. “I don’t want to teach you. I want to accompany you.”

“I don’t need protection.”

“From other thieves, maybe not. But from the earl?”

Scarlet shook her head. “The earl’s men do not bother the eastern woods.”

“But they will.” Tristan looked at her intently. “Because forest game is scarce, the earl is sending men out day after day to arrest thieves in his forest. His men will be in these woods within the month and you will be a moving target.”

“I am not afraid.”

“But Iam.” Tristan glared at her. “Hunt with me. You will be safe that way.”

“Why?” Scarlet asked with hardness in her voice. “Because you are the earl’s son?”

Tristan froze.

Scarlet lifted her chin. “You are the son of an earl in the hut of a thief? Are you mad?” She stepped forward. “Why do you come to my door? Out of pity?”

Tristan was silent. He hadn’t deliberately kept his identity from her, but he hadn’t offered the information either. Primarily because he didn’t want his nobility to become an issue.

Which it now was.

“Of course not,” he said.

“Out of valiance? Because I can provide on my own.”

“I know you can,” Tristan said.

“They why do you come?” Scarlet curled her lip. “Why do you grace my humble home with your noblepresence?”

“I come to keep you out of the woods. To keep you safe.”

“And what is it to you if I live or die? What is it to you the fate of a thief?”

Tristan rubbed the back of his neck trying to figure out how to calm down this fiery girl.

Scarlet waited. “You have no words, hunter?” She waved him away. “Go then.”

Tristan gave up and answered honestly. “I care if you live.” He paused. “And I fear the thought of you dying.”

He did not know the words were true until they left his mouth.

For a long moment, Scarlet stared at him without speaking. She walked up to him and tilted her chin toward his face.

Even with dirt on her cheek she was truly beautiful. Or maybe the smudge of dirt is what madeher beautiful. Either way, his eyes were lost in hers and his stomach tightened at the sight of her young face lifted to his.

“Your concern is wasted on me. I am nothing.” Scarlet pointed to the door. “Do not return.”