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Silence fell between them once more as he let her words sink in. “Isn’t there any way to stop this feud and come to some kind of agreement where each settlement can benefit?”
An ominous feeling took hold of her, twisting her insides.
Her voice lowered an octave as she said, “The bad blood that has raged on for years has caused a lot of mistrust. Something grand would have to be presented as a peace offering for that to work. To build trust. Get them to listen to reason about the land.”
She just so happened to know what that “grand something” was, but she didn’t mention it to him.
He sat back down next to her and began to play with her hair absentmindedly. “But don’t you think it would be worth it? Think of all the people that would be saved. Then they would have to listen to your father and see why it’s so important to preserve the land and resources. And your settle—” He cleared his throat. “Our settlement would be helping out a lot of other survivors.”
She let the feeling of his hand in her hair sweep through her. “Well, my father mentioned they had something in mind in particular they would take in return for trust...”
Excitement lit his eyes as he faced her. “Really? Your father would be smart to agree.”
She jerked away from him. “You don’t understand. What they ask comes with a high cost.”
His brows drew together. “What have they asked for?”
Her head began to ache as the truth drummed inside her temples, beating at her resolve. Could she really do this thing they asked of her and give up her personal future to a man she didn’t know? Worse, her enemy’s son?
Krieger thought it was a great idea, yet he didn’t know the price she would pay. Would what happened to her even make a difference to him?
She wasn’t ready to find out. “H-he didn’t say. Just that it was profound.”
He seemed to consider her words and thankfully dropped it.
Eva didn’t want a war. Oh Mother Earth, how she wished her mom was still here to talk to, to give her advice. She always knew the right things to say. Her mother was honest to a fault. One of the smartest people she had known. She would know the right choice...
Her mother was the only person that ever truly had known her. The real her. Yet Krieger seemed to read her like a book. And if she was being truthful, he was quickly becoming one of her favorite people.
When was the last time she let someone in? She had been fighting for so long that Eva had all but forgotten what a real human connection felt like.
How could she get close to those who had walled themselves off in the name of survival—herself included?
Let no one in.
It was safer that way. Safer, yet not as peaceful.
Yes, that is what Krieger had given her. Moments of true peace. Knowing her more than he probably knew himself. He was innocent. Ignorant of the past, no dark memories marred his conscience. He was the epitome of all that once had been good in the human race. Krieger was a rare version of what humanity had been, maybe could be again...
What a gift the fates had given her... or a curse. Would she just let him in, only to have him ripped out of her life by some act of duty she had to fulfill?
Even now, as she watched him stand and protected their tiny shelter as yet another violent storm descended on them, all she felt was happiness.
If she had to be out on the road, she was glad he was by her side. He had proved to be invaluable to her in more ways than one. He had saved her life more than once and he was one hell of a provider.
Eva still had time before her decision was due regarding the peace treaty. She wouldn’t figure it all out tonight.
Right now, her eyelids were heavy and as Krieger sat down beside her once more, he eased his arm around her shoulders. She felt her muscles relax and rested her head in the crook of his arm. Tomorrow, she would tell herself it was to conserve heat during the storm, but in this moment, she would enjoy the closeness of his woodsy scent and strong embrace.
She was screaming. “Mommy!”
Eva’s father grabbed her hand and hauled her up from the floor as he ran. Her favorite stuffed cat, Tom, fell from her hands.
The roar outside was getting louder.
“Laura, hurry.” Her father opened the closet as Eva jerked against his hold. Tom was still on the floor, and she needed him. “It’s okay, honey, everything’s going to be all right.”
Her father didn’t understand—she couldn’t leave her mom and Tom behind.
