I nodded. "I've been working on that, and seeing you do it helps me a lot. So yes, I can promise that."
"And you won't be horrified if I, say, kiss you when we get back home?" she asked.
"Embarrassed," I admitted, "but not in a bad way. In a new way, I think. But you should still do it. I like when you kiss me."
"And I like when you kiss me," she said. "Trust me, that's - "
But the pair of men who walked in were talking loudly enough, and about something important enough she didn't bother finishing her thought.
"Fucking Mole!" a man was telling his friend. "I mean, I get the Phoenix, but a man? And they brought him backhere?"
"There's a Mole inLorsa?" his friend snarled. "They should've warned us about that!"
"I say we find out where and kill the fucker."
"No..." I breathed.
But Lessa clasped my arm, acting like she was holding me in place even though I hadn't tried to move. "Just ignore it," she said.
"They're talking about Sylis," I hissed. "Lessa, he's - "
And the man heard me. "You!" he growled, pointing right at me. "You'd know!"
"Do not fuck with my girlfriend," Lessa warned.
The guy didn't seem to care. He stormed over to our table - and while part of me wanted to curl into myself, I didn't. I couldn't. Drozel had given me a stuffed animal so I'd stopshrinking. Lessa was beside me, so I wasn't alone. Gideon didn't own me, and this time it all felt different.
"Why is there a Mole here?" the man demanded, glaring right at me. "I thought they were the bad ones. I thought you women wanted to escape them, so you tell me where he is or I'll - "
"No!" I screamed, sliding out of my chair and into his face.
It was stupid. It was everything I didn't want to do, but I knew what made this different. First, because Lessa would sting this man if he tried to hurt me. But then there was the other reason.
Ayla had stood up for me. She'd been the one to help me first, then Jeera and Brielle, then Lessa, then Drozel and Omden. One by one, these people had stepped up to make my life easier when I'd needed it most.
But who did Sylis have? Only me.
"ThatMole," I said, lifting my chin to look as brave as possible, "is named Sylis. He risked his life to help us. He saved the Phoenix's man on the inside."
"Jerlis's nephew," Lessa added from right behind me, proving she'd stood as well, and was likely glowering behind me.
That gave me even more confidence. I knew I was probably bad at this, but I still had to try. Right now was my turn to make a difference, and Sylis needed me.Ineeded me to do this too.
"I'mthe one taking care of him. He's staying with me because I'm teaching him Vestrian. I'm showing him how amazing things are up here, and he's thankful. He escaped, you fool, because they hurt him just as much as they did me! That man is my friend, and if you want to make someone pay, then go ahead. I know how to take punishment, and I'mfuckingsick of people thinking it's okay to be mean all the time. It's not, do you hear me! Dragons are supposed to be the good guys. Stop always hurting people!"
"Or I'll make you hurt first," Lessa said. "Now back away from my girlfriend."
Sixty-Four
Ayla
Being on watch was boring. The shifts were divided into three chunks throughout the day, and Zasen had finally listened when I told him I should be helping at night. My eyes saw easier in the darkness. I also wouldn't be missing my friends and family because all four of us now kept nearly the same hours.
We were out in the forest, but only far enough the campfires the Reapers put in front of their cabins wouldn't blind us. Zasen had found a place to sit where he could lean against a tree and stare at the darkness while I showed Pepper more of the commands Holly knew so well. The best part was how quickly she was learning.
Holly knew everything. Pepper knew the basics, but that was enough to let me teach her more complex tasks. Even better, when Holly did something right and got praise, Pepper would often copy it out of jealousy. After that, a few repetitions was all it took for her to understand the command. Doing it well, however, was a different story.
My new dog was a smart girl. Supposedly, she didn't like men, but she seemed okay with Kanik, Rymar, and Zasen. No, she wasn't as excited to see them as Holly was, but shedidn't want to bite them either. But while Holly would obey a command from Zasen as easily as from me, Pepper only listened to a few from him. "Guard" was her favorite, but "wait" worked with her as well. The rest? She only obeyed if Holly did.
