{"id":1194,"date":"2012-04-23T00:00:24","date_gmt":"2012-04-23T04:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1194"},"modified":"2012-04-23T20:53:47","modified_gmt":"2012-04-24T00:53:47","slug":"autumn-chapter-eight-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1194","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 8 – 03"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019s right.\u00a0 <\/span>I won\u2019t make it three miles if I try to leave.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron stared bleakly at the trail away from the cabin as he leaned against one of the porch\u2019s supports.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Probably can\u2019t even mount a horse.\u00a0 <\/span>Not enough range of motion in my shoulder for that right now.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He touched the edge of the bandage around his arm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It still felt like someone was jamming a hot poker into it sometimes, even when he hadn\u2019t touched it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d never had anything hurt like that before, not even getting shot.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>But he didn\u2019t feel like he could\u2014or should\u2014stay here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kira seemed nice enough, and he liked Neve more than he was willing to admit, but he was more than half certain that her brother was nuts.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Who\u2019s crazier, though?\u00a0 <\/span>Him for what he believes, or me for even considering it might be true?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron sighed, staring at the gray sky.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe it\u2019s both.\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe we\u2019re all crazy.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The world\u2019s gone insane anyway, why shouldn\u2019t we go right on along with it?<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCameron?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He swallowed, almost flinched.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve\u2019s hand closed on his forearm.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be <\/span>resting<\/span><\/em>,\u201d she said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou said you were going to go do that after I found you in the barn.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI know,\u201d he murmured.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI lied.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy am I not surprised?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She squeezed his arm gently and then let go, leaning against the porch railing.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou still shouldn\u2019t push your luck.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You should be dead.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve heard that before.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe they should\u2019ve called me Cat instead of Dragon.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Of course, I think I\u2019m running out of lives.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He reached around the post for her hand and found it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her fingers were warm and strong in his.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe,\u201d she agreed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOf course, that just means that maybe you should be a little more careful, right?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron nodded slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCould be.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>They stood together in silence for a moment before her hand tightened around his.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI hope you will be,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot because of anything like destiny or my brother saying you\u2019re important to the future or anything like that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I just don\u2019t want anything to happen to you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron\u2019s mouth dried out and words momentarily failed him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d never quite gotten out of her why she\u2019d changed her mind and followed him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Is that why?\u00a0 <\/span>Because she was worried about me?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNeve?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen you leave\u2014and I\u2019m not stupid, I know you\u2019re going to because you probably still think Teague\u2019s batshit\u2014at least tell me before you go so I don\u2019t waste too much time before I follow you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat about going south?\u201d he asked, feeling like an idiot as soon as he\u2019d said it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There\u2019s a beautiful woman telling you that she\u2019s going to follow you when you bail on her brother and you\u2019re worried about the plans she used to have before she saved your worthless life?\u00a0 <\/span>Goddamn, that fever must have fried my brains after all.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve straightened and looked him square in the eye.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCameron,\u201d she said quietly, \u201cI\u2019ve been doing what my brothers told me to do my whole damned life.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m not going to take marching orders from anyone but myself anymore, fate be damned.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She kissed him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Her mouth tasted like chocolate and mint as she pressed it tight over his.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>For a second, Cameron felt like every synapse in his body fired at once, sending a jolt through him that left tingling in its wake.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His arms were around her before he quite realized what was happening, her hands trapped between them but her fingers still struggled for the buttons of his borrowed shirt.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Alarm bells went off in his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her brother was inside.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With his wife, possibly doing what we\u2019re doing right now.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron came up for air first, reaching with one hand to still the work of hers.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His chest heaved, each breath burning in his chest, his throat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you sure this is a good idea?\u201d he asked hoarsely.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve laughed nervously, shaking her head and looking down.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you kidding me?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s a terrible idea for more reasons than I think you\u2019re actually aware of but I really don\u2019t <\/span>care<\/span><\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2014I\u2014Cameron\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He squeezed her hand and let go, stepping back and trying to fight down feelings of shameful regret coupled with <\/span>wanting<\/span><\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen no offense, why are we doing it? Not that I wouldn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo, you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve sighed and scrubbed her hands over her face.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She grabbed his hand and tugged him off the porch.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCome on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We shouldn\u2019t talk here anyway, not when he could walk out and interrupt us at the worst possible moment.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Because talking was what we were maybe about to end up doing.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron flushed and tried to think of England.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She didn\u2019t drag him to the barn like he expected.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They went into the woods toward the lake, up a hill a few dozen meters into the tangle of dark trunks and verdant pines.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron\u2019s shoulder and arm were burning by the time they made it to the top, but the end result was worth the discomfort.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Trees made a half-moon shape facing the lake, sheltering the grassy hilltop.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They were high enough above some of the trees that they could see the lake sparkling in the few rays of sunshine that broke through the overcast, setting water sparking like diamonds and the forest beyond ablaze with autumn colors and slashes of stately silver-green pines and spruces.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It was a few minutes before he found his voice.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen did you manage to stumble across this?\u201d he asked as they slowly sank down into the grass.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhile you were sick,\u201d Neve said quietly, wrapping her arms around her knees.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI just got to this point where I couldn\u2019t watch you suffer anymore and not be able to <\/span>do<\/span><\/em> anything about it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Ran out of the cabin and wandered until I found the hill.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She looked at him sidelong, her dark hair partially obscuring the lines of her face.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPlease don\u2019t take what I said back there the wrong way.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He shook his head slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhatever happens between us happens, Neve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If something does.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I wouldn\u2019t be upset if something <\/span>did<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She smiled weakly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMe neither, but we might regret it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRegrets are better left to tomorrows that might not come,\u201d he murmured, putting his hand on her knee.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She laughed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI bet you say that to all the girls.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She started to press him down into the grass, onto his back.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He let her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe one or two,\u201d he admitted sheepishly.<\/span>\u00a0 Oh Christ, did I really just tell her that?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Instead of slapping him, she laughed again, crawling on top of him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She was a surprisingly small weight on his chest.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid it work?\u201d she asked, sounding curious.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll see if it does this time,\u201d he said as her lips found his again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He put his arms around her, realizing that for some reason, it didn\u2019t hurt to do that.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A few moments later, she tensed against him, gasped against his lips.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He went rigid, mentally checking himself.<\/span>\u00a0 No, not that.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he whispered, surprised to see fear in her eyes and tears on her face.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Shit.\u00a0 <\/span>Shit, what did I do?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Did I do something?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNeve?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPhelan,\u201d she whispered, her fingers tangling in the soft flannel of his shirt.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomething\u2019s happening to Phelan.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYour cousin?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How does she know?\u00a0 <\/span>But then, how do they know any of what they seem to know?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIs he all right?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He felt a little absurd for asking the question\u2014but at the same time, he knew in his gut it made sense to ask.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She put her head down on his chest and shivered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHold me, Cameron,\u201d she said, voice weak.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHold me until it stops.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cUntil what stops?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His arms tightened around her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe pain, Cameron.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHold me until the pain stops.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She\u2019s right.\u00a0 I won\u2019t make it three miles if I try to leave.\u00a0 Cameron stared bleakly at the trail away from the cabin as he leaned against one of the porch\u2019s supports.\u00a0 Probably can\u2019t even mount a horse.\u00a0 Not … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,46,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-8-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-jg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1194"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1194\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1197,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1194\/revisions\/1197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}