Page 36 of The Archer’s Wish

His body trembled against hers.

He pulled away first, forehead resting against hers, breathing hard.

“Beitris…” he whispered again, voice wrecked. “I-I cannae say what I should.”

She didn’t ask.

She didn’t need to.

Her heart already knew the truth he was too terrified to speak.

She brushed her lips against his, so soft, barely there. “Then dinnae say anything. Just… stay a moment.”

He closed his eyes and exhaled a shuddering breath, pressing his brow to hers.

“A moment,” he agreed in a broken whisper.

And for that stolen stretch of time, the world, the pain, the fear, all fell away.

There was only him. Only her. And the lingering warmth of a kiss that meant far more than they dared to admit.

The door creaked open, shattering the fragile moment between them. Liam drew back at once, though his gaze clung to Beitris as if reluctant to let her go. Heat still lingered where his hands had touched her, her breath unsteady from the kiss they’d barely broken apart from. Her knees weak, she lowered back to the stool.

Camden strode in, stopping short when he caught sight of the two of them. His eyes moved from her flushed face to Liam’s marked knuckles, and something like understanding flickered there.

“Keir told me what occurred,” Camden said, voice tight with restrained fury. “Thank ye for defending Beitris.”

Liam dipped his head in acknowledgment, though he never quite looked away from her. Then, as though some unseen tether pulled him, he turned and moved toward the door.

Beitris’s heart lurched. She didnae ken why, she only knew that some part of her wanted to rise, to follow him, to stay close to the warmth he carried with him. Instead, her legs gave way to sense, and she sank back onto her seat.

“I best go and see about my family,” Liam said quietly. “I am certain Effie has reached home already with all that transpired. My parents will be worried.”

He paused, looked to her.

“Be well.”

Then he was gone.

The words struck her like a pebble tossed into a deep pond, small yet rippling. Be well. What was she to make of that? Did he mean to return? Did he mean nothing at all?

She huffed softly under her breath, irritation and longing twined together.

Camden crouched beside her. “I’ll walk ye to the bakery. Ye need rest, and that tonic will soon make ye feel like yer legs are made of wool.”

She thought back to standing with Liam, how steady she’d felt with his hand on her waist, his breath brushing hers. She wasn’t sure that counted. Still, she nodded. “Aye, I would appreciate it.”

They stepped out into the street, and the cool air brushed her bruised cheek. Camden exhaled in a long rush, glancing sideways at her.

“Is there something between ye and Liam?” he asked bluntly. “He seemed verra keen to defend ye.”

Her heart fluttered, then clenched. What was there? Kisses. Heat. A moment that felt like it had shifted the world beneath her feet. And yet, not a single promise from him. Only the warning that she deserved more.

“Nae,” she said softly. “Only friendship. Perhaps he feels obligated since I tended him during his recovery.”

Camden’s look was anything but convinced. “Obligation?” He snorted. “Lass, the way he looks at ye, if that’s obligation, then the sun is cold.”

“That I doubt,” Beitris said, though her voice wavered with uncertainty. “Liam is nae a man who settles. And I would nae wish to be wife to someone who could never be satisfied with just me.”