Page 158 of Phoenix's Fire

The guy beside him nodded, but they were already getting up to leave. I simply leaned back in my chair, pulling my injured arm into my lap. I really didn't want to be jostled in the press to get back to my room and rest. The bite was starting to throb, and I could think here as well as there.

"At least you already know who you want to marry," Sylis said.

I grunted at that. "Yep."

"I should probably consider a wife as well, huh?"

Slowly, I nodded. "Sounds like they expect it. I mean, you could wait. You're still young, but if there's a girl you're interested in, she might get snatched up."

"There's not," he mumbled.

So I reached over, thankful he was on my good side, and clasped his shoulder. "Women are simple things, Sylis. Find one you think is pretty or kind. Smile at her. If she smiles back, then walk with her. If you listen to what she has to say, she'll think you're appealing."

"But - "

I looked over. "That's all I did."

His eyes narrowed. "Yeah," he breathed. "Unlike you, I'm not the biggest man in the compound."

I shrugged that off. "Girls like nice. Be nice, and girls will like you. They don't like men who hit them."

His gaze felt like it intensified. "I'll remember that." Then he pushed to his feet.

I watched him go, trying to remember if I'd said anything that would get me in trouble. I was pretty sure I hadn't. The closest was that women didn't like being hit, but I could play it off.

But maybe, just maybe, he'd listen to me, and another woman could look forward to a future where she wouldn't be hurt by the man who was supposed to protect her.

Forty-Nine

Callah

Islept fitfully after cleaning and bandaging Tobias's arm. He'd said a beast had attacked him, and I had a dozen questions now, but no way to ask yet. When the lights came on the next morning, I washed my face twice with cool water, hoping to wake myself up, then headed to sermon.

Thankfully, Gideon had spoken to Mr. Cassidy. When we broke for our noon meal, our instructor pulled me aside to tell me I was expected to spend my afternoon caring for our remaining hunters. I assured him that I knew the man who needed my attention, then headed to the dining hall.

Like always, the line was long. Sadly, my serving was even smaller than usual this time. The dollop of plants wasn't even as large as my fist. Four fungus slices were placed beside it. Struggling not to sigh, I carried my plate to a table at the side, well away from the normal flow of traffic.

It didn't take long before Tobias dropped his plate beside me then lowered himself down. I offered him a gentle smile even as my eyes dropped to his wounded arm. The sleeve on that side had been pushed up, but it was still bandaged.

"Did you wash that today?" I asked.

"Yeah, and wrapped it again," he said. "Mrs. Worthington gave me a few bandages to use."

"Is it painful?"

He bent to shove a forkful of mash into his mouth, then looked around us. The lost hunters meant the dining hall was even less full than usual, and the widows table had grown. I was pretty sure no one would come sit beside us, but like him, I let my eyes scan to see if we were within earshot of anyone else. Thankfully, we weren't.

"It hurts," he finally said, "but I can use it. Some of these guys can't say the same."

"I'll make sure it heals well," I promised.

So he leaned in. "Callah, only seven of us made it back."

"I know."

"And so do the elders," he whispered. "Do you realize how many men have died since Ayla was thrown out? Most of the veteran hunters!"

"Oh."