Her face drained of all color. “No. No, promise me, Rio. You can’t ever try to get near him. Not for any reason. You can’t hurt him. And you can’t try to see him.”

The anxiety on Rachael’s face twisted at his insides. “Rachael, I’m coming back.”

“I know you will.” He had to. She couldn’t stay in a cave beneath the riverbank forever—unless he was with her. She might be able to live anywhere with him. The thought was frightening. She’d never considered that she might want to spend her life with someone. A lifetime seemed a long time to want to be with someone, yet, if she could have him, she would want more than one lifetime with Rio.

Rio forced himself to turn away from her, from the look on her face, so lonely, so vulnerable, so much pain in her eyes. He didn’t dare gather her to him, he’d never let her go. He waded away from her.

“May all the magic of the forest be with you and may good fortune be your companion as you travel.” Her voice was rough with raw pain. “Good hunting, Rio.”

He stopped, keeping his back to her. He had glimpsed pain in her before. Knew the signs of trauma and betrayal. Was familiar with rage born of helplessness. The anguish went deep and left scars. He couldn’t look at her. Her suffering was harder to bear than his own. “I don’t know anything about love, Rachael. Meeting you was unexpected, but everything about you makes me happy. I’m coming back for you.”

He continued to wade out into the water. She was crying. Her tears would be the end of him. He’d rather face the entire bandit camp than face her tears. There was no way to change what he had to do. He couldn’t comfort her. There had been violence in her life. He recognized the signs. He could only hope that by doing what was necessary he didn’t lose his chance with her.

Rio went under the water, swimming through the narrow tunnel he had painstakingly scooped out and shored up with an artificial tube. It had taken several years to find the chamber and secure an entrance. He had several places scattered around the river and forest he could use if necessary. His people were a secretive, cautious species and he had learned over the years the value of preparation.