Crow grinned when Penelope suggested they go for a walk. His empty stomach tempted him to wait until after supper, but the prospect of getting away from the other knights while they had the chance was simply too good to pass up. Gavin had been intervening whenever they had tried to do so for the last few days, but the thief couldn’t think of a reason for him to stop them now that they had found a place to rest for the night, and they weren’t parting ways this time.

“I’d love to take a walk with you,” he said, sliding his arm down her back to hold her at the waist and then pressing a kiss to her cheek. With a glance towards Gavin, he reached for her hand and took the lead as they headed for the edge of the clearing. However, they didn’t get far before the knight spotted them and decided to make an unwelcomed remark.

“Where are you two going?” Gavin questioned with a classically suspicious frown directed towards the thief.

Crow sighed and turned towards him with an impatient look. “We’re just going for a walk,” he explained brusquely. “You can’t expect me to endure your company the entire time we’re on this mission, can you?” Even though he had promised Penelope he wouldn’t try to start a fight with her former suitor, he couldn’t help making a few snide comments. He would hold back from insulting the man personally, but he still disliked knights, and he had no intention of acting civilly around this one.

“You should stay here,” Gavin’s eyes flicked between them, as if he was putting together the real reason why they were sneaking off together. “We have a long walk to Aramoor tomorrow, and this is the only chance we’ll all have to sleep before then.”

“While I appreciate the concern, we won’t be gone all night,” Crow rolled his eyes sarcastically. “Just relax. We’ll be back before you even go to bed.” He turned away from the knight to indicate his firmness on the subject. However, just before he and Penelope stepped out of the clearing, he glanced back over his shoulder to cast Gavin one last flippant remark, “By the way, save me a little extra supper tonight. Taking a walk always works up my appetite.” He winked at the knight slyly as he slipped out of his sight, heading into the forest with Penelope to put some distance between them and the other knights.