He groaned again and pulled back, his breathing ragged. "Brianna?" He seemed as uncertain as she was. She paused in her movement, her hand just resting, her own breathing just as uneven and stared into his eyes. He groaned again and said reluctantly. "We should get up, we'll miss the tide."
He was asking her, leaving the decision up to her, but she could see that he was by no means certain himself. "That is probably a good idea," she said, just as reluctantly.
He kissed her again, slightly less intensely, then rolled over to the edge of the bed and sat up. His breathing was still heavy, and when he glanced back at her, his eyes were still dark with desire. She knew that all it would take was one word and he would be back in the bed, so she said nothing.
After a few intense moments, he let out his breath and stood up. "I'd better go get my things. We'd better hurry. The sun will be up in half an hour." His hair was tousled, and his clothes crumpled, but Brianna thought he had never looked more endearing.
She nodded. "I'll get dressed and meet you downstairs in a few minutes?" Downstairs was neutral territory, far safer than the bedroom.
Lyall nodded agreement with a rueful smile. "Five minutes," was all he said, and Brianna nodded.
Once he had left the room and closed the door behind him, she fell back on the bed and gave herself a few moments to think about what had almost happened.
Was it insanity to go with him? It was only a matter of time before they got to the point where one of them didn't pull back. She needed to stop pretending that this wasn't serious, and that they weren't involved. It was plain that they were.
And Lyall wasn't just after a quick fling either, otherwise he wouldn't be holding back. He would propose marriage, she was certain of it.
What would she do then?
Convincing everyone she was dead and running away had seemed such a good idea at the time-a neat solution to a tricky problem. But with the addition of Lyall, it had suddenly become far more serious. Could she leave her family, leave Mianna, break all the laws of her village, to stay with Lyall?
What alternative did she have? Having known Lyall, she couldn't possibly go back and live with Mianna and Terion. She tried to imagine it, but the thought just filled her with horror. She shied away from the thought of even kissing Terion, let alone anything more. Not that he would force her, he wasn't the type. But a life without ever feeling the things Lyall stirred in her would be unbearable.
Did the mages follow the twin law? She should have asked Lyall. But no, she couldn't, not without telling him about Mianna. She should tell him. But that would bring up even more complications. If it was law where he lived, maybe it would be enough to make him pull back. Maybe he would even think she should go home.
Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter, Mianna wasn't in the mages town, she was in Eryvale, and the twin law would be broken there, even if Brianna married somewhere else. If she wanted Lyall, it would have to be without marriage.
Could she do that? Was it any less wrong than marrying him would be?
No answers appeared to her, and there seemed little alternative to her current path, so instead of dwelling on it, she threw back the covers and began to dress. It took only a few moments to pull on a pair of trousers and shirt and to buckle on her sword, which it seemed only fitting to wear when setting out on an adventure such as this. She pulled a brush through her hair and braided it-she wouldn't want hair flying in her face. Then she put her remaining change of clothes into her backpack and she was ready to go.
The hallway was empty when she stepped out. Lyall waited for her in the kitchen with Syrid and Elsian. His eyes were warm and smiling when she walked into the room, a look only for her, and she could not help an answering smile and a blush. Syrid and Elsian looked away, but she was conscious of their presence, so kept her distance a little.
Lyall cleared his throat, then gestured to her sword. "Do you know how to use that?"
She gave him a scornful look. "Would I be wearing it otherwise?"
He laughed. "Probably not. But you would be surprised at the number of people I've known who've worn one just for show."
She nodded acceptance. "Well, you can rest assured that should the occasion ever arise, I know how to use it."
For a moment's uncertainty, she wasn't sure if she was warning him or not. It hadn't been her intention, when she'd chosen to don the weapon, but now, it was somewhat comforting to know that she could defend herself. It made her feel a little less nervous about the chance she was taking.
"That's good to know," Lyall said, "although it is unlikely the occasion will occur on this journey." Then he turned to Syrid and Elsian. "It is time for us to go, or we'll miss the tide. Thank you for your hospitality." He held out his hand and Syrid shook it.
Elsian gave him a hug, and to Brianna's surprise, hugged her too. "Take care, both of you."
Brianna hugged her back. "I will."
As they walked outside, the city was just beginning to wake up, sounds of cooking and preparation in the houses around them, but very few people were out on the streets this early. None the less, Brianna was occupied watching every person who passed them, fearing being recognised at this late date. Lyall took her hand, and hurried them through the almost empty streets.
It was busier at the harbour, with many ships planning on leaving on the morning tide, but they made it to Lyall's ship without incident. "How about you go below until we're out of range of the harbour?" Lyall suggested.
Brianna nodded. She wouldn't feel completely safe until they were away from Bymere. So she carefully made her way down the steep narrow staircase.
It was only when she was in the small cabin, that she realised how little space there was. The small, narrow bunk would fit both of them, but it would be close quarters. How long would they be at sea?
She put her backpack down on the bench and sat on the edge of the bed. It was surprisingly soft for its style, and as she looked around, she realised that all the furnishings, though crowded, were high quality, even nicer than those in the inn.
The ship moved under her as Lyall cast off from the dock. For a moment, the movement disorientated her, and she wondered how she was going to move around the ship when it swayed so. The riverboat hadn't moved like this. She closed her eyes and opened them to find Lyall coming down the stairs.
"Are you all right?" he asked in concern.
She nodded. "I think so, it's just the movement of the ship. It makes me feel … weird."
Lyall nodded. "It does that. Some people feel violently ill, but most get their sea legs in a couple of days."
"A couple of days? How long do you think the trip will take?"
"Two nights if we get a good wind, three or even four if it's lacking."
Brianna giggled, feeling a little light headed, partly at the fact that she was leaving her home, and all she had ever known, and partly at being on the tiny ship with Lyall for three to four days. "That should be … interesting," she said.
Lyall blushed, but all he said was, "I think we're far enough from shore that no one would recognise us. Do you want to come up on deck and see?"
Brianna stood up, wobbling a little. She was starting to get her balance, when the ship tilted suddenly to the right, throwing her into Lyall's arms.
He caught her easily, completely steady of his feet, and set her upright again. He didn't, however, let go of her. She looked up at him, suddenly feeling heat flush her body. "I'm not sure I'm going to make it," she said breathlessly.
He laughed, a throaty sound deep in his chest that made her knees feel weak. "I'll help you." He took her hand and helped her across to the stairs.
Brianna looked up at them, suddenly not sure that ascending in this unstable world was such a good idea, but Lyall urged her on. "I'll be right behind you. I promise I'll catch you if you fall."
"You'd better, or we'll both end up in a heap on the floor," she warned and put her foot on the first step.
Cautiously, she advanced up the stairs, holding onto the rails on both sides. Once or twice she bumped into the walls, but she managed to remain upright.
True to his word, Lyall followed right behind her. So close in fact, that his head was level with the small of her back, and his arms, holding the rails as hers were, were almost around her.
Somehow though, she gained the deck where there were no rails to hold onto. She moved away from the stairs, clinging to the roof of the cabin for dear life. Lyall came up beside her and took her hand. He led her over to a bench seat near the back of the boat, and she sank gratefully onto it.
From here, she had a good view of both the boat and back at the harbour. Maybe she'd just sit here and not move for the rest of the trip.