After a full day of riding, our team arrived at base camp. The majority of the space had been prepared early, Ivan and his team readying it for our arrival. All that was left to do was get our individual tents erected and unpack our belongings.
The campsite was set in a large clearing, the dense, tangled jungle enveloping our temporary home. Towering trees with the brightest green leaves I had ever seen loomed over us, providing ample shade. The ground was clear of brush and covered in freshly raked dirt. On one side, two wide canopies—where we would conduct our research—were set up on raised wooden platforms to keep the floor dry from the frequent tropical rains. On the other side was a singular canopy, slightly larger than the others, with a long table and chairs, a portable kitchen, and food storage containers. Our dining area.
A small stream flowed on the eastern edge, providing easy access to water, right beside a covered area where several hammocks were strung about. The perfect place for a nap.
I’d like a nap right about now.
I dismounted and stretched my arms above my head, releasing a groan as I handed the reins to Ivan, letting him lead my horse to a small paddock.
“Where would you like your tent set up, professor?” Sylvie asked, her voice quivering slightly.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I insist, sir.” She shifted on her feet and blushed.
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. It wasn’t uncommon for my students to fawn over me—I’d heard the rumors about their crushes—but I’d hoped to escape it on this trip. Perhaps I was mistaken.
I searched for Cerise and found her standing in a smaller clearing at the edge of camp, giving Aaric instructions on where to put her own quarters.
I turned back to Sylvie and gestured in Cerise’s direction. “Please put it over there, next to Doctor Thornheart’s.”
A hint of disappointment crossed her face, but she nodded and headed that way, my tent in her arms.
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. Why did I want to put my tent close to Cerise’s? Well, to annoy her of course. But also…I couldn’t help my curiosity. I’d noticed just a couple of cracks in that harsh demeanor she tried so desperately to keep together, and after seeing the glazed-over look on her face when Sylvie was singing the praises of her mother, I knew there was more to her than met the eye.
So it was curiosity. That was all. At least, that’s what I would keep telling myself.
I turned away, about to head to the stream to splash some water on my face when someone called my name from behind me.
“Doctor Pendragon!” Cerise shouted, the sound of her stomping growing closer.
Didn’t take her long.
I pressed my lips together to hide my smile as I gracefully spun on my heel. “May I help you?”
“Why are you putting your tent next to mine? I chose that spot specifically for its private location and the fact that it has the perfect view of the sunrise between the trees. I asked Sylvie whaton earth she was doing but she told me that you told her to put your tent next to mine.”
I cleaned the lenses of my glass with the corner of my shirt before placing them back on my nose. “Are you done?”
She blinked. “Done with what?”
“Chastising me.”
“Oh.” She smoothed the front of her shirt. “Yes. I suppose so.”
I gave her a wink, then walked in the direction of our temporary home. It didn’t take her long to catch up.
“Excuse me…Where are you going?”
“To unpack my things,” I answered.
She let out a hiss of frustration which was actually kind of endearing. “You never answered my question.”
I glanced at her. Her brow was furrowed in the falsest display of anger I’d ever seen. “What was the question?”
“Why are you putting your tent next to mine?” she repeated.
“That’s where I decided I wanted to put it. Because of its private location and the view of the sunrise.”
