“He knows enough that he should be able to keep practicing on his own,” Crow said hopefully when Penelope pointed out that it would be more difficult to teach him the accent now. In all honesty, he hoped that William knew enough so he wouldn’t have to face him again. After everything that had happened the day before, he couldn’t even stand to so much as look at the knight, let alone try to have a decent conversation with him. He was confident that if they argued again, it wasn’t going to end well. And for the sake of keeping their heads down, it wouldn’t be good if they got into another fight while they were in the town.

Crow hugged Penelope to himself when she leaned into his chest. “Thank the gods,” he sighed, resting his chin on her shoulder. While he was glad that they would be alone because it meant he wouldn’t have to be around William, the thief was also hoping they would have a chance to talk about whatever it was that was happening between them. Even though he was afraid of what she might say, he didn’t like sitting around and pretending like everything was fine when there was now so much that they had to discuss.

[i]She’s acting like she still wants to be with me,[/i] he glanced at her curiously. [i]If she had changed her mind, wouldn’t she be trying to put more distance between us to make it easier?[/i] The thought gave him a little more hope and he tightened his embrace around her. Maybe he was worrying for nothing. Maybe William’s words hadn’t gotten to her like they had gotten to him. [i]And I’ve already made up my mind,[/i] he took a calming breath as his heart skipped nervously in his chest. [i]It won’t be easy… but I’d rather have a hard life with her than a simple life alone.[/i]

He kissed her softly on the cheek and closed his eyes, trying to rest without fully sleeping until they reached the town. After all, it might turn out to be a long stop, and he wanted to be awake for whatever was going to happen.