{"id":1230,"date":"2012-05-18T00:00:31","date_gmt":"2012-05-18T04:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1230"},"modified":"2012-05-17T19:35:43","modified_gmt":"2012-05-17T23:35:43","slug":"autumn-chapter-11-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1230","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 11 – 03"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The road stretched out in front of them, lit by the rising sun.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron watched Neve as she packed up their mess kit while he kicked some more sand and dirt over their doused campfire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve glanced up at him and smiled briefly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He shook his head a little.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA part of me still can\u2019t believe you came with me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You didn\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve straightened, her dark brows hooding her bright eyes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCam\u2014Cam, I wanted to.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI guess a part of me can\u2019t understand why you would,\u201d he said quietly, taking the mess kit from her, knotting the cord so the pots and pans wouldn\u2019t end up scattered everywhere when he tossed the bag across his horse\u2019s rump, behind his saddle.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe\u2019s your family.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Sounded like he\u2019s all you\u2019ve got\u2014him and your cousins, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s true.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They walked toward the horses, picketed in the grass downwind of their little camp.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut that shouldn\u2019t tie me down, should it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She stopped walking, brow furrowing more deeply.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDidn\u2019t you want me to come?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>His mouth went dry and he stood frozen for a moment, meeting her confused, almost hurt gaze.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His heart tripped over itself as he reached for her hand.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOf course I did.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about you after we separated on the road weeks back.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I kept worrying about what would happen to you, whether or not you\u2019d be safe and I\u2014I missed you.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I missed talking to you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her fingers were warm in his as he squeezed her hand.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen you told me that you were coming with me when I left\u2014when you stopped trying to talk me out of it\u2014I was relieved.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust relieved?\u201d she asked softly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He blushed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe a little excited.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s a big adventure. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A big, stupidly dangerous adventure, but still an adventure.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His heartbeat quickened as he leaned toward her, his lips brushing lightly against her cheekbone.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m glad you came.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m glad you didn\u2019t give me a choice.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She caught his chin in her free hand and turned his face to hers, kissing him hard.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>For a second, Cameron couldn\u2019t breathe, blood beginning to roar in his ears.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He dropped the mess kit and slid his arm around her, marveling at how neatly she fit against him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve slid an arm around his waist, leaning against him, her body like a torch in the morning chill.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Then it was over and she was stepping back, leaving him flushed and blinking, feeling almost as if his fever had returned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve stooped and picked up the mess kit.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTonight,\u201d she murmured.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen we\u2019re camped again, that\u2019s to be continued.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He laughed quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re on.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She grinned over her shoulder at him and strode toward the horses.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The mess kit got tied behind his saddle, muffled between his bedroll and the horse\u2019s hindquarters.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow\u2019s your arm?\u201d she asked as she checked the saddle girths one last time.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA little stiff, but I think it\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His lips quirked in a smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWorried that I\u2019m not going to be able to stay in the saddle?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe a little,\u201d she said with a faint smirk as she tugged on her archer\u2019s glove, reinforced over her thumb and her first three fingers, then began lacing on her bracer.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her bow dangled from a hook on her saddle, next to a quiver of arrows that would hang against her knee once they mounted up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut if you stay you\u2019re all right, I\u2019m going to have to trust you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d he said quietly, catching her hand and squeezing it gently.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut I\u2019m not lying.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 At least I hope I\u2019m not.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll be the judge of that,\u201d she said, swinging into her saddle.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron gathered her horse\u2019s reins and handed them up to her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She smiled faintly and nodded.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe I should have let you mount first.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s all right.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I grew up around these kind of brutes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He grinned and gathered his own mount\u2019s reins, clambering into his own saddle.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou did?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He nodded, smiling.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMy uncle had horses,\u201d he said, feeling a brief pang of sadness.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His uncle had died when he was a teenager.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His aunt had kept running the place, but he\u2019d lost touch with her after his first deployment.<\/span>\u00a0 I wonder\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Just thinking.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He shifted until he was comfortable in the saddle, then kicked his horse gently into motion.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI used to spend almost my whole summers there when I was a kid.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Horses and airplanes.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve drew abreast of him and their horses trotted side-by-side along the old roadway.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s not that strange, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen what?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTeague was saying something to you the other day,\u201d he lied\u2014half lied, really, since he\u2019d been curious about it since he\u2019d heard the edges of the conversation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomething about someone named Seamus.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve winced, her fingers tightening around the reins.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI didn\u2019t think you heard any of that.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Cameron edged his mount closer to hers, reaching for her knee.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho was he, Neve?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She sighed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOur brother.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The road stretched out in front of them, lit by the rising sun.\u00a0 Cameron watched Neve as she packed up their mess kit while he kicked some more sand and dirt over their doused campfire.\u00a0 Neve glanced up at … 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":[38,35,49,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-11-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-jQ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1230","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=1230"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1231,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1230\/revisions\/1231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}