Page 96 of Brambles and Bellflowers
Like that meant anything to me. “So what?”
“Usually, when a witch goes on a spiritual journey, we survive on the barest of essentials,” Miles explained. “I’m not going to kill an animal; it defeats the purpose of taking only what you need and leaving no waste.”
“It wouldn’t be wasteful. We could use the hide.” I did not like this explanation. Not one bit. We were lost in the middle of the mountains with no coffee and no food. I frowned at him. “Are you trying to tell me you haven’t eaten since you left?” I didn’t believe it. Miles still radiated strength and didn’t look like a starving man. “Then why did you have food in your bag?”
“It’s not like I can’t eat,” Miles replied, shrugging. “But it’s not prioritized. Besides, hunting is entirely different. And what’s that about the hide? Just how long are you planning for us to be out here?”
My gaze lingered on his arms, remembering the feel of them wrapped around me. My heart pounded.
Why was this affecting me now? It wasn’t like we’d never hugged before.
“It’s fine,” Miles continued, unaware of my inner turmoil. “We’ll just look for something to eat as we walk. We’ll get some food once we meet up with the others. You’re not going to die.”
“But we have a knife,” I reminded him, pointing at the blade strapped to his waist.
He furrowed his brow and touched the handle. “Yes.” He nodded slowly, cautiously. “But that’s for self-defense—for an emergency.”
“Give it to me,” I commanded.Thiswas an emergency. “I’m going to kill a squirrel.”
“You can’t do that!” Miles stepped back, twisting as he hid the knife from my view. “You wouldn’t even know how!” But then he frowned, and his gaze turned wary. “Do you?”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
“Yes.”
“What…” he began.
“It’s not important,” I cut him off. “We only need to ensure we don’t starve before someone finds us.”
“Why don’t you leave that to me? I’d never let you starve.” Miles raised his eyebrow. “And there’s plenty of other things to eat in the woods.”
I was perfectly aware of that, but someone needed to think long-term. We might even have to winter in this God-forsaken land. We needed to prepare. Hopefully, we wouldn’t have to make any hard decisions.
I’d readLord of the Flies. I knew how this might end.
“Besides, they’ll find us soon,” Miles said, shrugging. “So don’t worry. I’m not.”
I studied him—his nonchalant posture, the relaxed expression on his face. It was true that he didn’tlook worried.
But why? “What makes you so sure?”
“You’re Titus’smate,” Miles replied, looking over our little balcony. He sounded so detached and so factual. It was as if whatever happened between Titus and me didn’t affect him in any way. “He’s not going just to let you stay lost. Besides, everyone will be going insane with you being in danger.”
“I’m not in danger,” I answered slowly, watching him. “I’m with you.”
“Yeah,” Miles replied. “So now they’ll care.”
His words caused my heart to echo in my ears, and my lingering anxiety vanished as my soul ached.
He didn’t think anyonecaredabout him?
Indignation twisted my heart, and I clenched the blanket in my fists, pulling the scratchy fabric tight over my shoulders. “How could you say that?”
My question was low, but he heard it and returned his attention to me, brows rising.
“What?” he asked.
“Everyone cares about you!” I said. “Did you know Damen keeps a picture of you in his wallet?”
