If you go I go

"What look?"

"The one that says you'd rather be out there in the woods than in a place with a bed and roof."

Liora gave a small smile. "He didn't even consider taking me along."

Beatrice huffed. "Oh, don't be foolish. Of course he considered it. But men like him? They don't risk what they care about when they can help it."

Liora blinked. "He doesn't care about me."

"No? Not even a little?" Beatrice tilted her head knowingly. "He listens when you speak. That's more than most ever got from Lucien Blackthorne."

Liora wrapped her hands tighter around the cup. "It's not about that. I want to be useful."

"You've already proven that. More than once. Let him meet you in the middle, girl. Let him come to see that your strength isn't just in your fists."

Liora didn't answer, but Beatrice's words followed her long after the woman left her side.