Salt Kiss – Episode 34
Tristan took Isolde to an isolated safe house maintained under a name absent from Mark’s regular records. Until he identified which routes had leaked, secrecy mattered more than speed.
The house contained medical supplies, secured communications, and only one usable bedroom. Isolde accepted the inconvenience without complaint.
Tristan cleaned the cut on her arm. She watched his hands rather than the needle, studying the care beneath his blunt manner.
“You disobey Mark easily for someone he trusts,” she said.
“I disobey everyone when they’re wrong.”
“He must love that.”
The word tightened Tristan’s grip on the bandage. “Our relationship is professional.”
Isolde’s gaze sharpened. “That wasn’t what I asked.”
Tristan finished wrapping her arm and stepped away. Protecting her did not require confessing how deeply her fiancé had entered his life.
She thanked him anyway. The simple courtesy surprised him after her father’s imperious treatment.
“Did you agree to the marriage?” Tristan asked.
“I agreed not to let my father’s war destroy more people.” Isolde looked at the white bandage. “That is not the same as wanting a husband I have never chosen.”
Her answer made the arrangement feel even crueler. Both she and Mark were being used to secure peace, while the people who designed the bargain called it duty.
“Mark will not force you,” Tristan said.
“You believe that.”
“I know it.” Despite everything, he trusted Mark on this point.
Isolde studied him with quiet curiosity. “Then perhaps you know my fiancé better than I do.”
Tristan moved to the window and checked the perimeter. Behind him, Isolde asked whether Mark had ever given his heart to anyone. Tristan could not answer without revealing that he feared the answer might once have been him.