For the Love of Amity

Eight

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Eight
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Night descended on the village of Pyven once again, the blazing sun disappearing over the horizon, while the moon rose high in the sky. Amity leapt to her feet and smoothed her skirt. Her goal of learning to read and write had been accomplished about a week or so ago. The same night she shared her kiss with Seth to be exact. But still they met by the river every night. Sometimes they spoke a lot, asked each other questions, other nights they simply watched the sky together. They watched the stars and then Seth would walk her home. He hadn't kissed her the same way since that fateful day either. He would either kiss her cheek, forehead, or nose. Never her lips. It made her fear she did something wrong all those nights ago and he wishes not to kiss her again. She hugged herself tightly and started off for the river.

It was a longer walk than usual, no the distance hadn't changed and neither her steps, but her mind wandered. First it wandered to her brother who she hadn't seen in years. She was completely ecstatic for his return. Growing up she was always close to all her brothers, but Ansel and Jethro had always been the ones who looked out and cared for her. They took their big brother role very seriously. She had never met Ansel's family, his wife wasn't from their village and his children were conceived somewhere else after he had married. It had broken her heart when he left.

She shook away those thoughts as she came upon the river. Seth was sitting there, facing the river, away from her. She felt sudden embarrassment and began to walk back home. She wasn't sure why she was embarrassed, but she knew she did not want to see him quite yet.

Crack!

Amity flinched and softly swore at the stick she stepped on. "You know, it is not ladylike to curse." His deep voice said from behind her. She turned slightly, refusing to actually look at his face.

"I've done worse unladylike things." She reminded him, hugging herself tighter.

Seth's mouth twitched at the corners, but he quickly hid it. "I suppose so."

They were quite for a minute or two, Amity fidgeted with her dress and took a step back. "I need to go."

Seth's face filled with confusion. "Go? You just got here."

"I-I know, but I decided I want to go home." She said and turned away. Seth reached out for her hand and grabbed it.

"Aren't you letting me walk you?" He asked, eyebrow raised. Amity couldn't help but notice just his attractive he looked to her at that moment. She wished for his lips to take hers once again, but he wouldn't and she couldn't initiate such a thing. She had no idea what to do.

She slowly pulled her arm away. "Not tonight," Then and turned and began walking again. She hadn't even made it a few steps when he grabbed her arm again. This time she turned to yell at him, but he pulled her close, into his warm chest. She had to fight the closing of her eyes so she may glare up at him. "What in God's name do you think you're doing?!"

He stared down at her like she was the most fascinating thing in the world. "Amity, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm quite alright." She placed her hands on his chest in an attempt to push him away. She was distracted by the warm hardness of his body for a fraction of a second, then regained her composure. "I just wish to be alone tonight is all."

Seth lifted one hand and trailer his forefinger her down her cheek. "You're upset with me."

"No, I'm not." She shook her head, not meeting his gaze. He lowered his mouth an inch above hers, causing her to tense. Now? He was going to kiss her now? She had been waiting a week and he decided now was a good time? With a newfound irritation, she shoved him away from her with such a force he fell back onto his rear. He looked up at her with a certain confusion and anger.