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‘If I did, then there wasn’tdown her face ‘Please tell me there was more between us than just desire’

Brand’s stoht to use him It reminded him so much of when he had faced Teresa in Constantinople with the inforainst the emperor He had believed her and ain But he could not bear the thought of one hair on her head being harmed

‘Get out of ht Run and don’t come back if you must Or face up to the punishment you deserve But don’t ever expect me to understand what you did Or try to dress it up as feelings for ive you for that’

Chapter Fourteen

Edith dropped her hand to her side and allowed the tears to flow unhindered Much of what Brand shouted was true and she had no defence Not one he’d accept She knew she’d destroyed any chance she had of happiness with hiin to understand

All about her she are of the stillness of the glade and the variousto her argument with Brand She wanted to curl up in a ball and die She had confessed her feelings for him, wept in public when she never wept and he’d thrown it back in her face She was only thankful that there appeared to be far fewer htfall everyone would know

No doubt there would be jokes and back slaps All at her expense Deep anger and resentment filled her She didn’t need to hear it She would take his advice and go

With Brand’s words ringing in her ears about leaving, Edithsomeone to stop her No one did With each step she took, a steady calm descended It was better that she had discovered about Brand’s lack of feeling now rather than building up any expectation about a long life with him

She put her hands on her knees and drew a deep breath She was sick of putting her duty before herself No one thanked her for it She wanted to have her dreaht way to go about it?

Running aouldshe had done She had to face the consequences of her actions Maybe Halfdan would listen and spare lives when Brand would not She had to do soht

Straightening her shoulders, she started back towards the camp

The sound of a snapping twig ainst a tree From the opposite side of the camp, men advanced stealthily towards the camp, but the men in the camp seemed unawares

Horror flooded through Edith Brand and all his er She attempted to screaain