He'd intended to give her a couple of days to calm down and get used to the idea of being a mage. He hadn't expected her to just give up. And the thought of her going home pushed him into action. "Or you could come with me. No one is going to recognise you in my home town."
"Lyall," she protested, but not with any real force.
"Brianna, you're a mage. You belong with us. I can teach you how to use your magic, and we can … " he trailed off, not sure if mentioning the dreams he had for them together was a good idea or not.
She looked up. "We can what Lyall? Get married? Have babies? It's not that simple."
"It could be."
Was there something more about this man? Did she care for him after all, even though she'd said she didn't? Why was she holding back?
She sighed heavily and looked away. He reached for her hands and held them, despite her half-hearted attempts to pull them away. "Can't we give it a try?" he pleaded.
She looked up at him, meeting his eyes for the first time since he'd used magic to hide her appearance. He tried to project all his feelings towards her into his face as she searched it, looking for something. He let as much of his magic flow through his hands as he could, knowing it was an underhand tactic, but doing it anyway. He'd take any advantage he could.
She sighed. "All right."
Lyall stared at her for a moment, unsure if he had heard her correctly. "You mean you'll come?"
"I seem to be out of any other options, so I guess so."
Lyall wanted to jump up and hug her, but she was not as overjoyed as he was. In fact, her expression was close to defeated. He hoped she would come round.
For now, he had to get things moving. "Do you want me to tell Syrid for you?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Would you?"
"Leave it to me."
"When … when do you want to leave?"
"It makes sense to get out of here as soon as possible, so that your friends don't bump into you again. I was thinking first thing in the morning."
She nodded, looking suddenly small and exhausted. Involuntarily, Lyall asked, "Brianna, how old are you?"
She managed a ghost of a smile at that. "Worried I'm too young for you to run off with now? Don't worry, I'm nineteen."
Lyall hoped he hid his wince. Nearly seven years his junior. Not such a big deal, his mother and father had ten years between them. But she had somehow always seemed older.
Brianna stared at him, her expression uncertain, so instead of trying to say something and putting his foot in his mouth, he kissed her, gently and without demands. "I'm going to talk to Syrid. Will you be right here until I get back?"
Brianna nodded. "I'm fine," she said, with more strength to her words now.
Lyall couldn't resist kissing her gently one more time before getting up and heading down to speak to Syrid.
He found the innkeeper in the kitchen, thankfully alone. And it seemed Syrid wanted to speak with him as much as he did.
"Is Brianna all right? What happened?"
Lyall figured a measure of honesty was the best course of action. "She saw some people from her village. Apparently she ran away to avoid an arranged marriage, and she's afraid they will take her back if they see her."
Syrid frowned. "Well, she's safe enough here. I won't let anyone take her anywhere against her wishes. But I can see that it's best if she avoids the common room for a while. Any idea how long they are staying?"
"Only a couple of days, she thinks, but it's made her realise that the chances are high she'll be recognised eventually, if she stays here. She can't hide in the inn permanently."
Syrid frowned. "What is she going to do then?"
Lyall hesitated, not sure if his friend was going to approve of his plan. There was no avoiding it, though. "I'm taking her with me."
He was right, Syrid didn't look impressed. "That seems a little hasty."
"Probably, but I'm not going to risk losing her to a man she doesn't even want to be with, Syrid. This might be my only chance," he said with all the earnestness he could muster.
Syrid looked at him seriously. "You really care about her, don't you?"
"Yes," Lyall said simply.
That was all the reassurance Syrid needed. "When do you leave?"
"On the morning tide. No point in waiting."
Syrid nodded acceptance, and that was it.
Lyall returned to check on Brianna.
She lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Perhaps he should leave her to her thoughts? She turned towards the sound of the door and smiled a little, so he came inside and shut the door behind him. "How are you going?"
"A lot better." She hesitated as though searching for words, then said, "When I left my village, I thought I would find excitement and adventure here in Bymere. But it wasn't what I expected. Perhaps because I was alone, and what fun is anything without someone to share it with? Then you came along, and I realised there was plenty to see here anyway. I was nearly ready to go home when you arrived, but I'm glad I didn't, because I get the feeling there is plenty of excitement and adventure to find yet."
She seemed at peace with her decision, relieving Lyall of his last worry. "Definitely plenty of excitement and adventure," he agreed. "But for now, I think sleep is the best course of action. We'll be up before sunrise tomorrow to catch the tide."
She looked nervous again, but nodded. Lyall bent and kissed her forehead and moved to stand up, when she put her hand on his arm. "Stay, please?"
He hesitated, torn between his desire to do just that and his fear of rushing her. He looked down at her, and she looked so small and woebegone, that he couldn't help it. He threw caution to the winds, kicked off his shoes and climbed, fully dressed still, into the bed beside her.
She sighed happily and snuggled up against him, seemingly unaware of the effect her closeness had on him. Lyall wondered if he was going to be strong enough for this. For tonight, and the two nights they would spend at sea, with only the narrow bunk bed to share. He smiled and almost didn't care.
It was worth it.
Brianna stirred, a feeling of warm contentment seeping through every bone in her body. She lay curled up next to Lyall, her back resting against his chest and his arm snaked around her waist. If only she didn't have to move. But the sun would start to lighten the sky outside the window soon, already she could see the stars beginning to dim.
She rolled over, managing to do so without dislodging Lyall's arm, and stared up at him. He was a mage, and today he was going to take her away to the land of the mages. She should be terrified.
But she wasn't.
She should feel guilty about these feelings she had for him. She was supposed to be home with Mianna and Terion, living that life with them, but she knew that would never give her these feelings. She thought, even more guiltily, about Kylis, whom she'd thought she loved desperately. But even he had never invoked the sort of passionate emotions Lyall seemed to.
Was it because he was older? He had blanched when she mentioned her age last night, though he'd said nothing. And it hadn't stopped him coming into bed with her. But even though his desire had been obvious, he had made no move whatsoever to pressure her into sex. In fact, he hadn't even kissed her.
Which was a relief. Much as her body and heart might want to, her head was not yet convinced, not with so many uncertainties in her future.
The bed was so warm and comfortable, she felt herself drifting back to sleep. She knew she shouldn't, that she should instead get up and start getting ready to go, but the impulse was too great.
When she woke again, some time later, she opened her eyes to look into Lyall's face smiling down at her. "Good morning, Brianna," he said huskily.
A feeling of excitement stirred in her loins as she realised how closely she was pressed up against him. She could feel his arousal, throbbing against her pelvis, and her breathing quickened.
"Good morning, Lyall," she managed, just before he kissed her.
Her lips parted instinctively and he deepened the kiss. The closeness of their bodies and the feel of his lips, soft on hers, was intoxicating, and Brianna gave a soft groan at the feelings flooding her. If he had pushed her then, she would have eagerly given in.
But he didn't. His hands didn't move from her waist, even though her whole body quivered with the desire for his touch. His kisses were desperate and intense, and his body pressed against hers, leaving her wanting all over. She did not want him to stop, but she wasn't quite sure what it was she did want. And it didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the feeling of his lips on hers, and his body pressed against hers.
Tentatively, Brianna slid her hands up from his waist, behind his shoulders, pulling him closer to her. She could feel his muscles rippling under his shirt, and he groaned softly against her lips. Experimenting, she slid her hands back down, past his waist to the curve of his buttocks. His breeches were well fitting, only serving to accentuate the curve as her hand slid over it.