Page 97 of Esperance

She jerked away.

His frustration spiked, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he started digging around in the pack.

Amryn peeked over his arm, trying to see what was inside. “I don’t suppose there’s a tent, or a lamp, or change of clothes?”

“No. Just food and water.” He handed her one of the canteens, and she took it carefully so their fingers wouldn’t brush.

While she sipped the tepid water, he bit off a piece of hard jerky.

“How long do you think this will last?”

He shrugged. “In Harvari, storms like this could last for days.”

That was not encouraging.

She passed him the canteen, and he offered her some jerky.

Eating only took so long, though, even when she chewed slowly. After Carver set aside the pack, there was nothing else to do but wait out the storm.

Amryn wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling them tight to her chest. Rainwater dropped from the fronds all around them, and her clothes were plastered to her body. Wind whipped through the trees, making the foliage around them shudder.

“Do you think the others found shelter?” she asked.

“I’m sure they did.” He draped an arm over one bent knee, his other leg stretched out in front of him. His eyes roved the area around them, alert and focused.

The tension between them hummed.

Amryn was surprised when Carver felt a sudden burst of amusement.

When he chuckled, she eyed him. “What?”

He flashed a small smile. “I don’t think the high cleric will be very happy with the Divinities for sending this storm.”

She snorted. “He’s probably frantically trying to decide how to explain to the emperor how he lost all of us.”

“Without actually taking any blame.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know how he became a high cleric.”

“One of the great mysteries of our time.”

Something out there squawked, and Amryn jumped.

He glanced at her. “It’s just a bird.”

Her cheeks warmed, but she didn’t acknowledge his reassurance. “If I get eaten out here . . .”

“Don’t worry. Any animal would take one look at your hair, think you were on fire, and eat me instead.”

“Good.”

The corner of his mouth quirked up, revealing his dimple. His jaw was covered in dark stubble. He hadn’t bothered to shave before leaving camp. It made him look rugged, and the dark blue shirt he wore brought out his bronzed skin. The sleeves were rolled up, baring his forearms, and she wasn’t sure why the muscles and tendons there were so distracting.

She had to pull her gaze away. Her cheeks were a little too warm as she asked, “What offering did you bring?”

“A coin.”

“Ah. Hoping to buy forgiveness for your sins?”