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first thing in the morning.
    He’d respect her in that, because she’d been so shaken by the appearance of her cousin, but no more. Jorrin ignored the voice that chimed in: his kiss had jarred her, too.
    He grabbed a handful of his magically infused kindling to keep the fire hot and strong. He watched the familiar blue glow as he threw it into the flames until it faded away. The fire rose, warming his hands and face as he leaned against a nearby tree, sword on his lap.
    Jorrin wouldn’t have been able to sleep anyway. He could kick himself for kissing Cera. Even though she’d responded, the rejection smarted.
    Blessed Spirit, she was sweet.
    Innocent.
    His gaze drifted upward, focusing on the stars as he cursed himself. Often on lonely nights when he was too restless to sleep, he named constellations until he drifted off, but this night, that wouldn’t have helped, even if he had been trying to get some rest.
    Cera.
    He’d only known her a sevenday, but from the moment he’d met her, there was something about her. She was in his dreams as he lay beside her every night since they’d left Greenwald. Dreams where he did much more than just kiss her.
    Jorrin shook his head. He was doomed.
    To think she had actually saved his hide. He’d known better than to enter the tavern—a human tavern—without covering his head.
    Stubborn idiot.
    In the mountains of Aramour, humans were the minority. Jorrin had spent his childhood there, leaving for the first time to search for his father.
    He was unfamiliar with the prejudices of the human world. His mother had warned him of those who would reject his mixed blood, but a part of him wouldn’t hide his heritage. He wasn’t ashamed of where he’d come from, or who he was.
    Hiding his pointed ears hurt his pride more than admitting he was half-elfin ever would.
    Jorrin’s parents loved each other, and his mother always told him he was the best of both worlds. And though he hadn’t spent much time with his father’s kind outside of his mountain home, sometimes he felt like he belonged more in their world than in the one he’d grown up in.
    Maybe his elfin blood was the reason Cera had pulled away from his kiss. Though she’d never treated him differently because of it, maybe she couldn’t stomach being more than just friends with someone who was not all human.
    He cursed and shook his head.
    Just forget it. Focus. Pay attention.
    Keep her safe.
    How was he going to get through the night?
     

Chapter Four
    When Cera awoke much later than usual, the sun’s rays crept across the camp. She stretched and rubbed her eyes, turning toward the whispering voices of Jorrin and Avery.
    Their sleeping furs sat neatly folded and rolled. The morning was brisk and the fire aglow, looking welcoming.
    Trikser, who’d always been quite taken with Avery, lay at his feet. He rose when he saw his mistress had awakened and came to her, tail wagging. She scratched him behind the ears and patted his head, managing a small smile.
    Jorrin immediately rose and handed her a mug of steaming liquid.
    With a nod of thanks, and not quite meeting his eyes, Cera felt heat rush her cheeks as she took a seat next to Avery. She couldn’t look at Jorrin and not think of their kiss. It—and he—had haunted her dreams.
    “Morning, cousin,” Avery said, his smile grim. “Thanks for looking after Valor last night.” He blushed, his embarrassment about passing out palpable.
    She nodded; her face must be as red as her cousin’s. Sipping from the mug, Cera was pleasantly surprised that it was a spiced herbal tea Avery knew she had an affinity for. She met his eyes, her worries about his parents rushing her thoughts.
    Almost as though he’d read her mind, he shook his head. “They’re fine for now. Mother knew. She sent me to find you three days ago, said you’d be along this road. I left as he and the shades got there. Don’t worry, he didn’t know I got out, and he won’t kill them. He needs a Ryhan,