“And if I want to stay here.” I’m not ready to leave everything I know behind. I don’t want to leave Mom.
“Then I will fight by your side.”
“And I get a sword at the end of the year and a day.” I want to be clear on the terms of our deal.
“I’m beginning to think you like my sword more than me.”
“Maybe I want both.” I lower the bat. “You asked Mom for permission. That’s the real reason you were at the café.” It irks me that Oran spoke to Mom before me.
“I didn’t want to be banned from the café—that’s about the worst thing that can happen to a rider, besides death.”
I grin, Mom can be scary. “When do I start?”
He holds out his hand. “Tonight.”
I clasp his hand and he pulls me close, kissing me hard. Like we never stopped after hunting together for the first time. With Oran I know who I am, and he’s never going to cage me in to keep me safe.
