Crow walked beside Penelope as William began to lead them through the woods again. He glanced at her and broke out in a grin when she whispered to him. “It must be because I’m so charismatic,” he teased quietly. “Maybe, if we’re lucky, I can get William to come around too. It would be nice to take some [i]souvenirs[/i] home from this trip.” He nudged her and winked wryly.

As she went on to talk about how the horses would help them move faster, his smile faded slightly. Not knowing what the future held for them, he didn’t share in her optimism of getting back to Brerra. He knew she had said she would stay with him, even if it meant disregarding her status and family, but would she still feel the same way when she returned to it all? He didn’t want to get his hopes up that she would sacrifice so much for him.

[i]At least I’ll be home soon,[/i] he thought with a pang of relief. It had been so long since he had last been a free man. Regardless of what was to happen between him and Penelope, he still felt excited about the prospect of going back to the outer villages. He missed the peacefulness and simplicity of peasant life. It would be good to come home to it all.

“Speaking of that,” Crow met her gaze with a bashful smile. “It might be pertinent for you to know that I have no idea how to ride a horse.”