“That’s true,” Crow said in agreement when Penelope mentioned that they still had the rest of the trip to think of ways to get out of their camps for the second trip. With so much time left, he was sure he would be able to come up with a story to sate the other thieves’ curiosity. Lying was one of the things he did best. Granted, he would have to think of a way to trick a group of people who were also skilled liars, but he felt sure that he could do it. He was the most infamous thief amongst them for a reason, after all. His skills as a thief rivaled theirs at the very least, if not exceeded them. If he tried hard enough, he knew he could slip away from them without raising too many questions.

He shifted slightly to find a more comfortable position against Penelope’s side and then rested his head on top of hers when she leaned into his shoulder, closing his eyes calmly. Setting aside his thoughts about what to do when he got back to his camp—there was more than enough time to mull over that during their trip back—he decided to simply enjoy her company instead. He let out his breath in a quiet sigh, smiling faintly to himself, as a comfortable silence fell over them.

No matter how long he was with her, he continued to feel like the luckiest man alive to have earned her affections. In fact, he hadn’t ‘earned’ anything from her at all. She was just a selfless woman who was willing to give up everything to be with him, a man who could never return the favor. It made him want to shake his head in disbelief every time he thought about what she was doing for him. Suddenly feeling his heart swell with affection for the knight, he turned his head slightly to plant a soft kiss to her temple. He loved her so much, it hurt.

Unfortunately, their time relaxing was cut short when Gavin announced that dinner was ready. The thief lazily opened one eye and looked up at the knight just as he turned away with his usual air of discomfort to go and wake Olivia. In the next moment, he felt Penelope move against his side, so he leaned away from her to give her space to stand up. He yawned tiredly as he took her outstretched hand and stretched to shake off his weariness from laying around all day once he was on his feet.

At the sound of her growling stomach, Crow laughed. “This might be the first time you’re hungrier than I am,” he teased, poking her lightly in the stomach and pressing a kiss to her cheek. Of course, almost as soon as the words had left his mouth, his own stomach chose to let out a low rumble, and he reddened slightly. “Okay, never mind,” he said with a hapless shrug, resting a hand on his middle. “Apparently my stomach refuses to be outdone. Let’s get something to eat.”

He took her hand in his as he stepped over to the table, where Zenith had set up the dishes. Taking a plate for himself, the thief filled it up with a sizeable portion and then took a step back as he glanced over the room for a place to sit.

Zenith caught his wandering eyes and spoke up to get his attention, “You and your friends should sit at the table. My family and I will take the floor.”

Turning back to her, Crow shook his head. “You’re too generous for your own good, love,” he said with a smirk. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not going to make a pregnant woman eat her supper on the ground. You and your family have done more than enough for us already. You take the table.”

Zenith opened her mouth to protest, but before she had a chance, Silas walked up to join the conversation. “I think he’s right, dear,” he wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “You need to take care of yourself.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head faintly in exasperation, but said nothing more on it now that she was outnumbered. “Alright, fine,” she met Crow’s gaze again with an upturned lip. “You win. I’ll let you sit on the floor just this once.”

“Thank you,” Crow grinned back at her and turned to Penelope. “Looks like we lucked out. Come on, we can sit on those blankets over in the corner.”