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“You better not be toying with me now, commander,” she threatened, her hair sticking out every which way.
My gaze flicked down to the fallen tresses before lifting back to her hopeful eyes. “What would you do if I were?”
“If this is your attempt at being funny, then you don’t know who you’re messing with.”
I couldn’t stop my grin from forming, and I really should have. “I wouldn’t dare dream of it, Kiara.” Stretching out a hand behind me, I produced a tin mug.
Her eyes grew comically large at the sight of the steamingoffering.
“Gimme,” she demanded like an imprudent child.
I chuckled as her fingers wrapped around the handle, jerking the cup away from me before I could change my mind. She immediately took a few mouthfuls and sighed contentedly.
“This is how I wish to be awoken every morning.”
“Well, seeing as I smuggled this last cup to you before the others could see, you may have to do without for the rest of our journey.”
She paused mid-sip and said, “You giving me your last cup is basically like you proclaiming your love for me.”
Every muscle in my body stiffened at that. I leaned back on my heels, putting some distance between us. I had to focus.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said uncomfortably. “And about the other evening…”
Kiara gripped the mug hard, her breath audibly catching.
The other evening, when I’d held her in my arms and told her my darkest secret.
When I’d crossed yet another line.
“I know what you’re about to say, so I’ll spare you the trouble,” she said before I could get a word out. “It’s fine, really. We should keep things…professional.”
“You’re right,” I forced out. “I just don’t want either of us to lose focus.”I don’t want to see you killed.
Kiara fixed a fake smile on her face, the sight of it causing my left eye to twitch. “It’s a good idea. The others were probably getting jealous.”
I lifted a brow, and she continued with a wave of her hand. “You know, seeing as I was your obvious favorite and all.”
“So cocky.” I shook my head, some of the tension leaving my shoulders. “It’s a wonder you can walk with that inflated ego of yours.”
“And it’s a miracle you can walk at all with that giant chip on your shoulder.”
My mouth gaped. This girl was going to be the death of me.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Well, neither of us will be walking if you get caught with the last cup. The others would probably murder you for it.” I shoved off from the ground with a grunt.
“Yes, sir.” She saluted, my heart pounding when she bestowed me with one last lingering look. There was so much inside those mysterious eyes of hers, but even though I couldn’t name the emotion they contained, Ifeltit.
When I approached Isiah across the camp, he gave me an approving nod, though a crease had formed between his brows. “Time to get going,” he said before making his way to the still-sleeping bodies sprawled around the torches.
“Wake up, lads!” he shouted, making the boys groan. Alec shot him a dirty look. “Time is of the essence.” He lightly kicked Nic’s still form. The boy was evidently able to sleep through anything.
Kiara downed her cup before hiding it away in her bag. I looked away the second her head shifted in my direction.
Some time later, when we’d all packed and readied to mount our steeds, I found Patrick approaching Kiara, his shoulders drooped with apprehension.
He liked her, that much was clear, and gods above, I hated that.
“Sleep all right?” Patrick asked.
