Page 40 of Powerful

With a blank look, I state my rebuttal. ‘Oh, there will be no more gifts.’

Making her frown like this would upset me if it weren’t for such a ridiculous reason. ‘And why not?’

I lean in, watching her eyes widen at my sudden closeness. ‘Because I know how distraught you will be when nothing can compare to this.’

She twists a loose curl round her finger – an absentminded action I catch her doing often. ‘We will see about that.’

‘Dena,’ I say softly, though it causes her head to whip up violently. ‘Thank you.’

Her smile is sad. ‘I’m sorry that I’m the first to give you a gift.’

‘I’m not.’ The words fall quickly from my lips. ‘I would have waited another nineteen years if it meant you were the first good memory I was gifted.’

Hazel eyes wander up to mine. ‘But you deserve more than one good memory.’

‘Then it’s a good thing I’m planning on keeping you around.’

She smiles at me, seeming to brighten the darkening alley around us. ‘I would like that very much, Mak.’

The words have barely left her lips before a yawnsmothers them. I quirk an eyebrow. ‘Tired?’

‘Exhausted,’ she says amidst another yawn. ‘It is quite the workout walking down here from the castle.’

I scoff. ‘Yeah, remind me to add endurance training to our fighting sessions.’

She groans, giving me a pleading look. ‘And what will that be?’

I shrug before leaning back on my hands. ‘I don’t know. Make you run down the street a few times. Maybe dodge a couple of children.’ A smile teases the corners of my mouth. ‘That’ll wear you out enough to lessen your word count in the evening.’

She crosses her arms defensively, her tone even more so. ‘Well, maybe my word count and I should go elsewhere if we’re unappreciated.’

‘Oh, honey, it’s more than appreciated. I dare say it’s even admired.’

She swallows, looking sheepish. ‘And that’s why you barely look at me when I’m talking?’

I shake my head, thoroughly exasperated. ‘Dena, if I looked at you while you were talking, I can’t guarantee that I’d be paying attention to what you’re saying.’

‘Oh.’ There’s a long pause as she mulls this over. ‘I see.’

Even in the spreading shadows, I can make out herflustered features. She clears her throat a few too many times before slowly lowering her back onto the rough rug beneath us. After piling every blanket and scrap of fabric on top of her, she burrows beneath the cocoon of cloth.

A hand shoots out from beneath the mound, patting the space beside her. ‘Lay down,’ she insists. ‘Here, I’ll even share my blankets.’

I stiffen. ‘I think something just moved beneath the rug.’

‘Oh, it is so toasty under here!’ Adena croons over my concern.

‘Yeah, stay there so whatever is crawling around will burrow in there with you.’

Before I have a chance to run away, she’s tugging me by the weapons belt. I’m lying beside her in a heartbeat, unsure of how I found myself in this very unpleasant position.

‘See, it’s not so bad!’ I can hear the smile in her voice and do not bother to return it.

‘Sure, if you enjoy restless sleep.’

Her body wiggles closer to mine, pressing a bare shoulder against my thinly clothed one. The heat of her thoroughly warms me, even managing to spread up tomy cheeks. She feels suddenly delicate beside me, and the urge to wrap a protective arm round her is difficult to shake.

‘I count the stars,’ she says softly. ‘To help me sleep.’

---