Sember (Forestfolk, Book 2)

Chapter 25a

I'd been back home six days, and I found myself missing Jastin's company. I'd resumed my daily routine, but it didn't make the feelings go away. The ache inside persisted, like a vine whose tendrils had ensnared my heart and wouldn't stop squeezing.

I nibbled on a piece of jerky, and found myself wishing I was back at Jastin's table, laughing with him over dried fish and stinky cheese. I pulled out the little misshapen bear he'd carved for me, and rubbed its head. I carried it with me in a pouch everywhere. Whenever I missed Jastin, I'd squeeze the bear, hoping one day my heart would return to normal.

I reminded myself it was better this way, because I couldn't hurt him from here.

* * *

A week later, I took a walk with Nirrin. She wanted to talk about my adventure—again—but I didn't mind. Each time, she angled for different information, as if imagining herself there. It reminded me that it actually happened. That I really did do all those incredible things, and come back alive.

We ended up by the lake, and seated ourselves on our favorite log.

"So . . . you're saying that all the others who explored the cave before you got lost because their torches were blown out?" Nirrin scrunched her face in concentration. "And then this Vill guy would catch them?"

I nodded.

"Then . . . how did Dozan's father escape?"

"He can see in the dark. He didn't need torches."

"Ohh, that's right! And you don't need torches either! Being Gifted is so wonderful. I wish I was Gifted."

"It's not all it's cracked up to be." I picked at the remaining bark of the nearly-bald log. "It makes being with boys . . . difficult."

Nirrin nodded vigorously as if she knew exactly what it felt like. "Dozan told me all about that."

"Oh." I felt my face turn hot and I cleared my throat. "How are things between you two? Is he still . . . "

She giggled. "We enjoy each other's company from time to time, yes."

"And you don't mind that he manipulates you with his gift?"

She fiddled with the ends of her brown hair. "It's not manipulation if you're aware of it. If you . . . want it."

I raised my eyebrows.

"Oh, come on. Haven't you ever wanted to escape yourself? Just for a little while?"

All the time. "I prefer to be in control."

She shrugged. "Control is overrated, if you ask me."

"You've never burned anyone."

She pointed a finger at me. "Not true. I once spilled stew on Goben's friend. What was his name again? Anyway, it was fresh from the pot, and scalding hot. He got big red welts from that! Stopped talking to me for—" Her animated brown eyes grew wide as she focused on something behind me.

Curious, I turned to look behind me.

Goben stood there, smiling. "I thought I might find you here."

"You're back!" I hopped off the log and hugged him. "I wasn't sure when you'd come back. Or if you would."

It was then I finally noticed the guy standing awkwardly behind him. A flutter went through my chest. "Jastin. You came, too?" What a stupid question. Of course he did.

Our eyes locked, and he gave me a sheepish wave. "Vina promised not to let your brother head back on his own."

"I would have been fine." Goben cast me an annoyed glance.

I ignored him. "You must give her my thanks."

"Hi! I'm Nirrin." She practically elbowed past me to greet the newcomer.

"I'm Jastin." He clasped her arm in greeting.

Nirrin turned an excited grin to me. "He's cute!"

I gave her a tight-lipped smile.

Back to Jastin, she gushed, "So you're the guy who helped our dear Sember save everyone from that awful plague. She didn't tell me how handsome you were!"

I rolled my eyes, but at the same time envied her ease and charm when talking to the opposite sex.

"I did nothing," Jastin replied. "She did most of the work."

"Even so"—she placed a lingering hand on his arm—"she wouldn't have found the cave without you."

I didn't want to listen to any more. If Nirrin insisted on flirting with every guy who entered Foresthome, she was welcome to.

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