Despite her irritation with me, she chuckled as her fingers bit into my skin. They were still icy, but I didn’t shiver; if I did, she’d insist on pulling them away.
“We should get back to camp,” she said. “The hunting party is leaving soon.”
“I’ll join you today.”
She gave me a disgruntled look. “You’ve never gone with me before, and you’re not going to start now. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m not babysitting you; I’m just making sure you stay safe.”
“Thatisbabysitting.”
“You’re not a baby.”
“Thendon’ttreat me like one. I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself, and I’ve been hunting in these woods for years. Besides, you’re supposed to be working on the tree houses with Tucker. We’ve fallen behind after everything that’s happened, and there are amsirah who still need homes.”
She was right, but she also hadn’t gone on a hunting trip since the fires. I didn’t like the idea of her out there, in the woods, without me.
“You’re also supposed to check on the second camp that was established,” she continued. “We haven’t been there in a week. It’s time to add more supplies and ensure everything is still ready for our retreat… if necessary.”
She was right, but I’d still prefer it if she didn’t venture into the forest without me. However, now more than ever, we required a safe haven to retreat to in case something went wrong.
And I couldn’t babysit her. I could deny it, but that’s exactly what I’d be doing. She’d always been the one to go hunting while I remained to build.
If I went with her now, it was because fear compelled me, and while I’d worry about her every second she was gone, I couldn’t let my father control me in that way. I had to let her go, not only because shecouldprotect herself but also to keep from letting my father have this victory… even if he didn’t know about it.
“You could sit this one out,” I suggested.
“I’m the best tracker and best with a bow.”
There was no denying that. Her years of experience and talent with a bow made her the best hunter in the camp.
“You won’t go far into the woods, and you’ll stay close to the encampment?” I asked.
“We’ll be fine.” Rising to her toes, she removed a hand from under my shirt and rested it against my cheek before kissing me. When she dropped down again, she smiled at me. “Come on, let’s head back.”
When we returned to the camp, it was still early enough that many were just starting their days. The cooking fires were already burning as the animals emerged from the shelters into their pens, and the hunting party gathered near the edge of the woods.
The group was checking their bows and arrows as well as their other supplies when they spotted Ellery. Fletcher waved at her, and someone else called for her to grab her bow.
Ellery smiled before kissing me again. “I love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
When she kissed me, I held onto her for longer than usual before finally letting go. “I love you, and if you’re not back before sunset, I’m going to huntyou.”
She grinned as she danced away to gather her bow and quiver from where she’d left them tucked beneath our tree house. “Dusk is some of the best hunting.”
“Ellery—”
“Okay, okay, sunset. Don’t worry so much.”
I didn’t tell her that was impossible not to do when it came to her; she already knew that. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her as she strode toward the hunting party, calling out greetings and waving to those she passed.
When a woman offered her a breakfast roll, she took it with a smile. I hated watching her walk away, but I loved how she waswith the other amsirah. She was so effortlessly kind with them, and they loved her for it.
When she reached the hunting party, she looked back at me and waved before slipping into the trees. Fisting my hands, my nails dug into my palms as I resisted the impulse to go after her, but before I could, Tucker appeared at my side.
He handed me a hammer. “Time to get to work.”
I didn’t say anything as I took the tool from him, and when I looked to Ellery again, she’d vanished into the trees.
