I couldn't stop thinking about what Jastin might be doing. With Nirrin.

I squeezed the wooden bear hard, feeling its sharp ear digging into my palm.

The lake was off limits, even though it was where I usually went to deal with unwanted thoughts. I didn't want to see if they were still there. And I especially didn't want to see what they were doing.

I'm not sure why, but I went to visit Dozan.

I found him packing up a mountain of supplies. His father was on his feet, and the first to see me. "Sember, right? Your name is Sember?" His eyes seemed bright as he looked at me, no longer sunken into his face.

At the sound of my name, Dozan turned around. His eyes held an expression of guarded joy.

I ignored him. "Yes. You're looking much better."

"I hear that I have you to thank." He rubbed the side of his white beard, which was now neatly trimmed.

I ducked my head and fiddled with a leather strap on a nearby bundle. "I had help."

"No matter. I was a dying old man. And now, I'm just an old man. Thank you." He gripped my hands in both of his, squeezed them, and then tottered into the trees with a bucket.

Dozan finally approached me. "I thought you were crazy to go into that cave."

"Thanks a lot."

He shook his head. "But you did it. You saved my father. And everyone else, it looks like. You are nothing short of amazing."

"And you are a known sweet-talker." I poked his shoulder with my finger.

He shrugged. "Maybe so. But that doesn't make it any less true."

I smiled despite myself.

"Hug?" He opened his arms wide.

I backed away. "Oh no, you don't. Didn't you learn your lesson the last time?"

He grinned widely. "I can't help myself. Pretty girls . . . "

I rolled my eyes, but secretly grinned at being labeled a pretty girl. "When do you head out?"

"Tomorrow at first light. Time for us to move on."

"I thought you were staying for winter?"

"I knew it." He pointed at me. "You're missing me already!"

"Ha! You wish."

He shrugged again. "A boy can dream. Father seems to have a new surge of energy, and he thinks we can help some of the decimated Plainsmen."

"And by helping you mean profiting from them." I crossed my arms and tilted my head.

"We're traders, can you blame us? Traveling is in our blood." He gave me a lopsided smile. "As well as profits."

"Just keep your father out of mysterious caves."

* * *

I ended up helping Ma patch holes in clothes that evening. She chattered about things that had happened while I was gone, which wasn't much. My mind wandered to Nirrin's hand on Jastin's arm. He hadn't exactly rebuffed her advances.

I frowned. I had no right to be jealous. I'd made it clear to Jastin that I couldn't be with him.

"Sember, what's the matter?" Ma paused her stitching to look at me.

I eased the tension between my brows. "I think I forgot what kind of knot to use here."

She examined my work and showed me how to form the knot. "It's so nice having you here. You're always out running around like a wild thing."

"I am a wild thing, Ma."

A knock at the front of the cabin startled us both. "I hear there are wild things in here," called a familiar voice.

I stared at the flap covering the front entrance. "Jastin?"

His blond head poked through, and he smiled. "You're a difficult girl to find."

I blushed. "Looks like you found me."

He pushed all the way inside and addressed Ma. "My name is Jastin."

Her eyes lit up. "Ah, so you're the one."

His eyes looked to me for explanation, but all I could do was shrug. I hadn't talked to her about him.

"Goben told me all about you," she continued. "How you provided food and shelter for my young ones, and helped them find that awful cave. You'll stay here with us tonight, if you'll allow us to return the favor."

Him? Stay here? I couldn't imagine how awkward that might be. "I'm sure he'd rather stay in a less crowded—"

"I'd be happy to," Jastin said, not even looking at me. "You are very kind to offer."

"It's the least we can do. Sember, show him where he can store his things. I need to go find out what your father is up to." With that, she disappeared through the doorway.

Subtle.

Jastin's eyes roamed around the inside of our modest cabin. "This is quite cozy."

My voice failed me. I didn't think I would see Jastin again when I left his village, and then I didn't think he'd come find me once Nirrin got her hands on him. Now here he was, in my house, alone with me.

I gulped as my pulse began to gallop.

"Sember, I—"

"So how did it go with Nirrin? She seemed quite taken with you." I wasn't proud of the sulky tone in my voice.

He raised an eyebrow. "You and she are good friends."

It was a statement more than a question, but I nodded anyway.

"You would hand me to her, even though you want me."

"Of course. She—" I stopped myself, but it was too late. I'd already given myself away.

A broad smile curved his lips. "So you do want me."

I looked away, face flushing, unsure how to respond. I shouldn't want him. But I couldn't deny it.

He watched me for a moment. "You know, all Nirrin talked about was you."

My eyes darted back to his. "What?"

"Your friend is quite the talker." His eyes glinted with amusement.

"Yes, I know. And she's very pretty. Weren't you . . . "

"Into her? No. Not my type."

"So . . . " I busied myself with the shirt in my hands to avoid looking at him. "What is your type?"

He stepped closer. "I like brave girls. Especially ones with fiery tempers."

My mouth went dry, and my anxiety sparked a small storm within me. "You can't mean that."

He bent his head and looked me in the eye. "You're the only one who doesn't flinch at my touch. In fact, you're the only one who actually likes my touch."

I blushed again. Red-hot embers blustered within me, and my fingers began tapping a rapid rhythm against my leg. I would have to bolt out of the room soon to run it out. "Jastin, I can't—"

He silenced me by grasping my hands in his. They were cold, and getting colder. They slid up my arms and back down again, leaving a trail of delicious goose bumps. Some of my anxiety was replaced with something else.

I searched his eyes, bluer than the sky. "I don't know if . . . "

He cupped my heated face, and I closed my eyes, forgetting what I was about to say.

I could've sworn I heard sizzling.

The chill grew until calmness seeped in. A calm that I'd only ever experienced while running.

I exhaled slowly and opened my eyes. He was watching me expectantly, hands steady.

"I think, maybe . . . " I wasn't sure what I was trying to say.

"I'll take maybe. And whatever else you'd like to give. If you'll have me." Despite his chilly touch, his smile warmed me like the sun, melting the last of my barriers.

I gave up on words and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him to my lips.

Squeeeeeeee! Vote, vote! And more squeeeee!