Page 72 of A Lick of Flame

I note that Orion has skinned the rabbits by the time I am done. He’s pushed them onto a long, thin stick. I suspect he plans on roasting them over the fire. My mouth waters at the thought.

He catches my gaze and smiles. I hear his groan of pleasure in my mind. It makes me blush.

Kakara, help me forget!

I quickly look away and scrub a hand over my face. Then I get busy filling the empty waterskins.

By the time I am done, Orion is sitting next to the blazing fire, and the sun is setting. The sky is a beautiful pink through the trees.

I contemplate sitting with him but think better of it. I watched him. I watched. I’m reeling. I still can’t believe that I did that. I should have left well alone. When will I learn?

I rummage through the saddlebag, find a brush, and start grooming Midnight. I’ll give the other two a brush as well. Hopefully, dinner will be ready by the time I’m done. I’ll eat and turn in early. I am tired. It’s been a long few days. And most importantly, I can’t face Orion. Not today. Maybe tomorrow?

No!

It’s doubtful.

“Are you going to ignore me for the rest of this quest?” Orion asks from directly behind me, almost making me jump out of my skin.

I grab my chest as I turn and shake my head. “Has no one ever told you not to sneak up on people?”

“I hardly snuck up on you. And? Is this how it’s going to be until we break this tether?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” My cheeks go all hot again. I’ve never had this happen so often. It’s driving me mad. I don’t like it at all. I look back at Midnight and keep brushing him, praying that Orion will go away.

The tension in the air is palpable. I can hear my heart ringing in my ears.

Go away!

Go!

“You’re ignoring me,” he says.

I turn. “I’m doing no such thing. I’m brushing the horses. That’s all.” I wish he would leave already.

“That’s not all, Maya. Should we talk about it?” His voice is gentle, almost pleading. “Will that make you feel better?”

“No!” I half-yell. “There is nothing to talk about.” My heart is racing.

Please, no! Please!

Orion can’t possibly know that I watched him. He can’t. If he knows, I will die. I will wither and die.

“There is no shame in it, you know.”

“Stop! Don’t!” Kakara’s cat, he knows. He knows!

“It’s normal to be interested in the opposite sex, and there is nothing wrong with nudity.”

“Thanks for that insightful piece of information. Can we leave it alone now, please?” I look more at my slippered feet than at him. I turn and start brushing Midnight in such a vigorous fashion he turns and tries to nip at me.

I jump back, bumping into Orion, who grips my upper arms to keep me from falling. “I knew you were watching,” he says into the shell of my ear.

My body lights up, and I feel myself go numb. It’s like all the blood has left my body and yet is rushing through my veins simultaneously, and I want to die.

“You knew!” I turn, breaking free from his grip, feeling a rush of anger toward him. It’s irrational. He should be the one who is angry at me. I watched. I’m the voyeur.

“Yes. I saw you.” His eyes move about my face for a moment before locking with my eyes.

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