“You remind me of Praxis,” I say as we gather another armful.
Liam raises an eyebrow. “Praxis? That beanpole? I’m insulted. Clearly, I’m much more handsome and charming.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh yes, clearly. How could I have missed it?”
“It’s all right,” he says with an exaggerated sigh. “I forgive you.”
As we walk back to Morwen’s tent, I study Liam. While he does share Praxis’ friendliness, the differences in their builds are unmistakable. Where Praxis is tall and lean, Liam is shorter and a solid wall of muscle.
“Do you see something you like?” he teases.
“I’m just admiring your impeccable wood-carrying technique.”
“I’ve had many summers to perfect it.”
“Is that so?” I grin as I shift the logs in my arms. “What makes you such an expert?”
“Natural talent, obviously.” He winks. “And I’ve been doing this since I was a scrawny little thing.”
I try to picture Liam as a scrawny child and fail. “I have a hard time imagining you as anything but the hulking brute you are now.”
“Hulking brute?” Merriment dances in his eyes as he clutches at his chest with his free hand. “I prefer to think of myself as a finely sculpted warrior.”
As we continue our trek back and forth from the woodpile, the snow eases. The wet flakes dwindle to a light dusting, then stop altogether. Weak sunlight peeks through the clouds, making the fresh snow glitter like a carpet of diamonds.
“It looks like the weather is on our side today,” Liam says as he looks up at the sky.
“It’s about time. I was starting to think my toes would never thaw.”
We reach the woodpile once more, both breathing a bit harder from the exertion. As I bend to gather another armful, Liam speaks again, his tone more serious.
“You’re fitting in well here, Everly.”
I pause and look up at him. “Do you really think so?”
He nods. “I do. You work hard, don’t complain, and you’ve got a good sense of humor. That counts for a lot around here.”
His words warm me more than any fire could.
“Thank you, Liam. That means a lot,coming from you.”
“I’m calling it like I see it.” He shrugs. “Now, what do you say we finish up and see if Morwen has any porridge left? I’m starving.”
“Lead the way,” I say with a smile.
Chapter
Thirty-One
CENRIC
I stareat the map spread before me, tracing the lines of Karra’s streets with my finger. The parchment crinkles under my touch as I search for patterns, weaknesses, anything that might give us an edge against the rebels.
Liam’s heavy footsteps announce his arrival before he ducks into the command tent and plops down beside me. “Everly’s fitting in well, isn’t she?”
I grunt, my focus still fixed on the map.
Liam falls silent for a long moment. Then, his voice cuts through the quiet, low and knowing. “You like her, don’t you?”
