“We’ll put an ad in the paper and hire new ones,” she suggested with a smile.

It was about ten minutes later, as they circled the lake that Greylen turned to her. “I enjoy your run, Gwen.”

“It’s my favorite,” she said. Then she added reflectively, “It keeps my spirit alive.”

Greylen stopped immediately, pulling her back as she ran past. He lifted her chin as she caught her breath. “I keep your spirit alive now, Gwendolyn—since the night I clutched your body beneath the water—and ’tis mine alone to safeguard.”

Greylen’s tone was filled with possession and Gwen had no doubt that he believed what he said. For a moment, she almost conceded he was right. They’d never talked about that night, and she needed to know what happened. “Was I breathing when you pulled me from the water, Greylen?”

He closed his eyes, obviously recalling that night almost a month ago. “Nay.”

Greylen didn’t say more, and his silence scared her. “What happened, Greylen?”

He let out a long breath as he looked to the lake, then took her hand and began walking again. “We waited in front of the keep, not knowing how you’d come.” He closed his eyes again, stopping where they stood and shook his head. “I heard your cry, Gwen, through the most terrible storm I’ve ever witnessed. There was a flash of lightning, and I swear I heard you.” He stopped again, looking down at her. “I swam to you. I saw your struggles and watched you go under. You were an arm’s length away, maybe two.” As if consumed by emotions of that night, he grabbed her arms and brought her in close. “You never resurfaced!” His words were an accusation, and his voice was filled with the terror he’d felt.

“I tried to get to shore, Greylen, I couldn’t.” She was lost in her own feelings of what happened that night, reliving that fear and seeing it, too, in him. “I couldn’t do it.” She started crying, then became angry when he didn’t seem to believe her.

He pulled her into his arms. “I know, love…I know.” His tone was soothing now, as if he hadn’t meant to speak so harshly. “I searched the water till I found you, Gwen. You were completely lifeless.”

“How long was I under?”

“Long minutes…three…maybe four before we resurfaced.”

“You stayed under that long?” she asked, glancing up to him.

“I’d no choice. The current. You’d have been lost.”

“How, Greylen, it’s imposs—” She didn’t finish. They just exchanged a look. Impossible had little meaning anymore.