The House of Gaian

Chapter 54

Liam hovered in the doorway, watching Selena pack her saddlebags. "You don't have to go."

"This is your mother's room, and she's coming back to live here with you and Brooke."

"There are plenty of other rooms. You don't have to go."

"Yes, I do."

It wasn't fair. From the moment she'd arrived at Willowsbrook, they'd been caught up in the fight to survive. Now, when they could finally spend a little time getting to know each other better, she was leaving. "Why?"

He found the color suddenly flooding her cheeks intriguing.

"Because my father would disapprove," she said, stuffing garments into the saddlebags with more speed than care.

So her father had gentry sensibilities when it came to his daughter. That he understood.

"Where are you going?"

"Not far. Across the brook, actually." The color in her cheeks deepened. "Breanna said they have plenty of room, and since her handfast to Falco was witnessed by the Bard, the Muse, and her family's elder, it would be proper to stay with them. And— And she mentioned that it wouldn't be that far for a . . . friend . . . to ride to come visit."

To hide his own delight, he muttered, "She's been spending too much time with Rhyann."

"Oh, Rhyann's going to live there, too." Selena looked up, her eyes filled with amusement.

"Mother's tits."

She laughed. "Rhyann does tend to produce that reaction." Picking up her saddlebags, she walked to the door, stopping when he didn't move aside. "Thank you for your hospitality, Baron Liam."

"It was my pleasure, Lady Selena." He took the saddlebags from her and smiled. "I'll see you to your horse. It's the least a friend can do."