He shrugged and got up to put the wood properly on the fire. “I wasn’t about to go all the way to Olestra in silence.” He said as she went back to check the pheasant.
“I was trying to stay mad at you.” She admitted miserably sounding as if she was still trying.
“I know.” He sat back down staring into the fire. “Would you have preferred someone else take you?”
He glanced at her when she didn’t answer right away. “No. I would rather not go at all.”
“We all have to do things we would rather not. It’s apart of being an adult.” He said then laughed to himself.
“What’s so funny?” She asked.
“You haven’t changed since I saw you last.” She frowned at him and stuck out her tongue making him grin. He laid back putting his arms behind his head looking up through the canopy of leaves to the emerging stars above them. Suddenly the reason he left seemed so distant, but then maybe he was right for leaving. Perhaps his thoughts were correct and now everything would be alright.
“It’s done.” Lilly said throwing a leg of the bird on him, the hot meat burned his skin through his shirt. He sat up yelping and rubbing his chest. She laughed quietly and gave him a triumphant smile.
A week rolled by quickly, the thick forests changed to rolling fields and valleys. But the fear of where they were going rose in her throat every time they spoke of it. Duty and honor, these words were spoken to convince her that it was her that was wrong. Despite everything though she was enjoying her freedom traveling with Jaden. But she knew in the end it would be over and she would be forever trapped in her duty to her station. She watched as he drug a small deer to the fire to skin the already gutted animal. “I can hunt you know.” She said glowering at his back.
