Page 13

Jasmine

The last of the trek towards Grower's Cove gave me plenty of time to think about last night, and the fact that Ryburn hadn't snuck out of my tent until it was nearly dawn. I hadn't had nearly as much of a problem falling asleep when there was someone there with me, even if I'd lost more time sleeping to wandering hands. His and mine.

I was feeling a lot brighter today, though. Even if I had had to surreptitiously make myself some of the morning after tea. Hopefully, Brew didn't know how much was left in the tin when he gave it to me, or if he did, that he didn't think to check it, because I didn't want to have to explain to my medically knowledgeable brother exactly why I'd needed it.

I tried to distract myself from thoughts of Ryburn by looking around me. It was clear we were growing closer to Grower's Cove even if I couldn't see the settlement yet. There was something in the air and not to mention, the plants looked more lively and lush, more so than they should given the time of year. There were fields of flowers even though it was nearing winter, and trees bearing an abundance of fruit. I never thought that Purple Oak Oasis was lacking, but this was on another level. This was a haven.

I glanced back at Ryburn and found him already looking at me. He quickly glanced away, but not before I caught his knowing smile. Was he thinking about last night too? It was a silly question, I knew he was going to be. It had been reckless and fuelled by something I hadn't felt in a while. That need that only came with thoughtless attraction, when the only thing that would do was someone's touch. I liked to think that I was a restrained person, but there'd been no denying an entirely different, and completely irrational, part of me had been in control last night.

And was kind of still in control.

We needed to talk about it, especially considering the last thing we did before going to my tent was saying that we weren't going to do anything about it in case we damaged the alliance we were trying to build. That was a hard thing to focus on when all I could think about was his lips against my skin, and the way it had felt for him to pleasure me.

I groaned and rubbed a hand over my face. I was well and truly distracted.

It didn't take long for Grower's Cove to come into view. From a distance, it looked just like any other settlement. Clusters of houses with smoke circling up from chimneys, lots of fields and greenery, all situated next to a humongous forest. There were people out on the streets, while others were tending to the fields, and children played freely.

Children's laughter was always a good sign. I might not want to have kids, but that didn't change the fact I thought they could be great, and how well a community thrived could be seen in how much joy there was for the children raised by it.

Ryburn and the others from Grower's Cove guided us down the main road, while other people stopped to watch us as we passed. Some waved while others didn't look too pleased to see us. I could definitely tell there were some negative feelings from some of the others. Presumably, those who followed the Mother Nature person they'd told us about. That wasn't such a good sign for our alliance.

If there was resistance to trading, that could complicate negotiations even more than me and Ryburn sleeping together.

My cheeks got warm just thinking about it. It had been a while since anyone had made me feel like that, and if I was honest with myself, I wanted more of it. It was foolish on so many levels. Not just because of the alliance, but also because he lived somewhere entirely different than I did. How was I even supposed to date someone with an entirely different home?

I pushed the thought aside. It wasn't for now. I could talk to Ryburn and maybe we could figure something out. If not, then at least it had been fun. Even thinking it, I knew that it wasn't enough.

We reached the heart of Grower's Cove that was marked by a large wooden building where a man that looked like Ryburn was waiting for us. They hugged in a way that made me fairly confident they were siblings because I'd had a hug like that from Brew.

"Welcome to Grower's Cove. I'm Adair, I'm on the Council," the man introduced himself, confirming he was indeed Ryburn's brother. "Thank you for travelling all the way here. We're happy to have you."

That was a smooth welcome considering one of Ryburn's people only ran ahead earlier today to alert them of our presence. Then again, maybe they had predicted this from the start.

I would have if it was the opposite way around. There was just something about being able to see people in their own home, it built trust.

Adair opened the building for us. "You must all be tired from the journey so we'll let you rest tonight. No official business until morning."

I nodded, knowing I spoke for everyone else when I agreed. "We appreciate that."

"Tomorrow, after breakfast, we'll show you around our Cove. Well, my brother will," Adair said, clapping Ryburn on his back.

My gaze went to Ryburn, and our eyes met. A smile appeared, drawing my attention to his lips and back to last night. The thoughts distracted me so, I didn't realise Adair was speaking to me.

"Sorry, can you repeat that?" I said, flustered when everyone was looking at me expectantly.

Ryburn smothered a laugh, probably because he knew exactly what had flustered me.

Adair cleared his throat. "I was just saying that we have facilities if you want to wash up."

"Oh, that's great. Thank you."

"If you need anything else, all you need is to ask. With that, we'll leave you to get settled." He nodded his head and left the room. I met Ryburn's gaze, wondering if it would be possible to get him alone so we could talk, but fearing that wasn't going to be possible.

He cleared his throat. "Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked me, gaining a strange look from Taz as he did.

"A walk would be good," I said. "My brother advised me that a short stroll after a long walk was good for the leg muscles."

Ryburn smiled. "I'll meet you outside."

Taz shook her head in amusement. "You're not fooling anyone, Jasmine."

"I don't know what you mean."

She snorted and picked up her pack to head into what I assumed were sleeping quarters. "Tents aren't soundproof you know."

A flush rose to my cheeks and I started to stutter out a protest, but failed miserably.

"It's fine. Go have fun," she said.

"The alliance..."

"Is fine. They want a mill, we want tea. You don't think either of our settlements are really going to let this go because you slept with the liaison? If it's going to be a problem, you're replaceable. Isn't that why you have three other siblings?"

"Hardly." But I saw her point. Neither Ryburn or I were indispensable. We could be replaced if this proved to be too difficult for one or both of us. We just had to hope that it didn't.