Page 73 of Phoenix's Fire

I nodded and demonstrated, turning to face him again. "Are you okay? Did it get you?"

"No worse than you," he admitted, gesturing to scratches across his ribs. "But I won't be funny colors tomorrow."

I couldn't help it, a giggle slipped out as the shock began to fade. "You're always funny colors."

"But that's normal," he teased, moving in to cup the side of my face. "Ayla, I was sure it had you."

"I thought it was going to killyou."

"That's why you stayed? I told you to run, but you fought it. Abear,Ayla." He thrust his hand at the dying animal. "I told you to run, but you stayed." Yet he didn't sound angry. He sounded like I'd done something amazing.

"I had to help," I explained. "The arrows didn't do much, but it made it look away."

"You were perfect," he breathed, pulling me up against his chest in a tight hug. "Like we were meant to work together."

"I'm supposed to be your gold."

I expected him to laugh at that, but he didn't. His face softened, and his eyes dropped to my lips. "No, you're yours, Ayla. Not mine. No one's but your own."

Relaxing, I leaned into him. The feel of his arms around me wasn't intimidating. The grip of his hold felt comforting, nothing more. My hands were still trembling from the fear and anxiety coursing through my body, but having him shield me like this made it better.

It made me feel safe.

"Zasen…"

"I'm not going to kiss you," he promised. "I just wanted to hug you, to be sure you're actually okay."

I looked up, lifting my chin. "You saved me."

"And you saved me," he agreed. "Ayla, this is okay."

My eyes dropped to his mouth, remembering the way it had felt when he'd kissed me. I'd been overwhelmed by everything that had happened that night, buthis mouth had made it feel easier to handle. Now, his hug was doing the same, almost like something to lean on.

"It doesn't hurt," I said softly.

Smiling down at me, Zasen pulled away. "No, it doesn't, but I hope you don't have a fork," he joked.

I shook my head. "But - "

"Shh." He smoothed my hair back. "It's okay. We're okay."

"No." I looked over to the very still form in the leaves. "The bear…" I breathed, aware it had stopped moving.

He chuckled, then shifted to stand at my side, both of us facing the thing. "It's dead."

"How are we going to get it back?"

He laughed again. "We aren't. It's too heavy. A shame, because that could earn you a fortune."

"You killed it."

"I killed half of it." He smiled at me so sweetly. "Dragging it would be too hard for you."

"I'm getting stronger!"

My vehemence made him laugh. "Yes, I've noticed. But if we try to move this thing, you could hurt your shoulder more. Never mind that your muscles will hurt afterwards."

"Okay," I said, thinking that sounded like a risk I was willing to take. "So can we take it back?"

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