***
The next day, when Sashe woke up, Seth and Evan had already left. She thought about him nearly all day during her lessons. He was an even better distraction from worrying thoughts than Sierra was. Something about him made her feel safe. He’d fought Protectors before, and he’d survived them. If the Protectors ever thought she was important enough to threaten or kill, then at least she knew Seth and her father would try to keep her safe. At least she knew how to disarm someone.
That evening, Sashe, Sierra, and Dar were in the barn playing games when a familiar whistle came from the door. Evan announcing his presence. Sashe sat up, and she swore her heart skipped a beat when she saw Seth trailing behind Evan.
Evan came bounding up the ladder first, smirking at Sashe. Thankfully, he said nothing, even when Seth joined them a moment later. “Hey, Sashe,” Seth said softly.
“Hey,” Sashe said.
Sierra scoffed. “Don’t forget about the rest of us.”
Seth grinned at her. “Hi, Sierra. Hi, Dar. Hi, horses and cow and goat.”
“They have names, you know.”
Seth raised his eyebrows. “Are you serious?”
Sierra laughed. “No! Although I have heard of Borens who have animals and they treat them kind of like children.”
“You mean pets?” Seth asked as Dar dealt him and Evan cards.
They spent the night playing games and talking. She and Seth sat next to one another in comfort, though every time he touched her, by passing her a card or brushing his knee against hers, her skin tingled and she thought of kissing him again.
Towards the end of the night, Dar started yet another game. Seth leaned towards Sashe. “Do you want to go for a walk?” he whispered.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she met his eyes. In the soft lantern light, he looked slightly nervous, his hands fiddling with his shirt, his eyebrows raised as he waited for her answer.
She nodded. “Yeah.” She looked at the others. “We’re going to go grab a snack.”
“Oh, bring us back something,” Evan said.
Sashe moved to the ladder. “Well, we might be a while,” she said as her face heated up.
Evan grinned, elbowing Dar in the side. His shoulders shook as he laughed.
Seth shoved him in the shoulder. “You promised not to say anything.”
“I said nothing,” Evan said. He pointed at Sashe as she moved down the ladder. “It’s her fault!”
“Be careful,” Sierra told them as they left the barn.
Sashe waved to them over her shoulder. Just as they left, the three of them started laughing. Seth’s hand slipped into hers. “I wonder what Evan said.”
Sashe shrugged. “I don’t care too much. That’s just Evan.”
They paused for a moment. Sashe hadn’t realized how dark it was already. The stars were bright in the sky, and a cool breeze blew past them. “Where should we go?” she asked him. “I don’t want to go too far. Everything that happened with Allison. . .I know it was weeks ago, but it still scares me.”
Seth pointed at the tree about halfway between the barn and the house. “We can sit under there.”
Sashe smiled and nodded. They walked over in silence. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, really. They sat on the ground and leaned their backs against the tree. Seth’s hand was warm in hers.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Tell me about Jolen.”
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