Mara folded the deed carefully, tucked it into her dress pocket. You think he'll really leave us alone? I think what happened today scared him. He didn't expect resistance. Didn't expect people to stand up for us.
Silas's expression softened. I didn't either, if I'm honest. Why not? You helped all of them. Helping people doesn't mean they'll help you back.
I learned that a long time ago. Well, Mara said, squeezing his hand. I guess you learned wrong. Silas looked at her and for the first time since Thomas Avery had darkened their door, he smiled. A real smile.
Small but genuine. Yeah, I guess I did. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the fire crackling, the cabin warm and safe around them. Outside the valley stretched dark and peaceful under a sky full of stars. Finally, Silas stood, helped Mara to her feet.
Come on, you need rest. So do you. I'll rest when I'm dead. But he let her lead him to the bed they'd set up in the corner, screened off with a curtain for privacy. They lay down together, fully clothed, too tired for anything but holding each other.
"Silus," Mara whispered in the darkness. "Yeah, when you asked for help today, when you rode to Miller's farm and told him what was happening, that was the hardest thing you've ever done, wasn't it?" Silas was quiet for so long she thought he'd fallen asleep. Then yes. Why? Because asking for help means admitting you can't do it alone.
And I've been alone so long I forgot how to be anything else. Mara rolled over, found his face in the darkness, traced the line of his jaw with her fingers. You're not alone anymore. I know. His hand came up, covered hers.
Scares the hell out of me. Why? Because now I have something to lose again. Mara's throat tightened. I'm not going anywhere.
You don't know that. Life doesn't make promises. No, but I do. She pressed her forehead to his. I promise.
Silus Hawthorne. I'm not leaving you. Not willingly. Not ever. Silus's breath hitched.
Mara, say it back. I say it. I'm not leaving you. His voice broke. Not ever.
They kissed then, slow and sweet, and full of all the things they couldn't say out loud. All the fear and hope and desperate, fragile love they'd built in the space between survival and living. When they finally pulled apart, Silas held her close, and Mara listened to his heartbeat, steady and strong. Outside, the wind picked up, rattling the shutters. But inside, the cabin was warm.