In All Places (Stripling Warrior) by Misty Moncur

Author:Misty Moncur [Moncur, Misty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eden Books
Published: 2013-12-06T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Just talking,” Lib said easily with none of the panic in his voice that I felt.

I turned to look at Zeke from within the curve of Lib’s arm. He leaned against a tree a short distance away with his arms crossed over his chest. He stood close enough to have heard our conversation, but I had no idea how long he had been standing there. His expression was unreadable.

“Keturah’s telling me goodbye.” Lib sat firm and didn’t remove his arm from around me. He even pulled me closer in a hug. If he felt any guilt in our closeness he didn’t show it to Zeke. I wasn’t sure if that was admirable or very unwise. “But I think she’s about done with me.” He looked back at me. “At least, I’ve heard everything I need to hear.”

“Oh, Lib.” My eyes fell to my lap. I knew what he was saying.

He removed his arm from my shoulders and stood.

“Bye, Ket,” he said, and I already felt the hollowness of his absence. I knew it was hard for him, too, from the terseness of his words and the way he turned on his heal and left me. He stopped in front of Zeke, but after a few words spoken in tones so low I couldn’t hear them, he was gone.

I hadn’t even thanked him for all he had done. I had only thought of myself. I drew my knees up to my chest and hung my head.

“My mother has the food prepared,” Zeke said to my back.

I didn’t want to face a group of people, but I reluctantly got to my feet and slowly turned to face Zeke.

I didn’t know what I expected, anger maybe, but I was unprepared for the warm embrace he offered. He moved with care, urging me into his arms. I hesitated—why was I resisting?—and I knew he sensed it. He sighed and nearly let me go, but I took a step forward and relaxed into him, grateful for his affection. I had been relying on my unit for years, but I had to learn to rely on Zeke now.

“It must be torture saying goodbye to all your friends at once. Your unit. They’re more than friends, more than brothers. I know mine are.”

I nodded.

I felt his chest rise and fall as he took a deep breath. “I wanted you to be free during this journey to say goodbye to them without feelings of guilt. You have developed a closeness with them—all of them—that you can’t just ignore. I know that when you commit to something, Keturah, to a betrothal for instance, your loyalty will be boundless and unbreakable, and to betray it would give you unbearable guilt.”

That meant he had heard most of my conversation with Lib. He knew I had been expecting the arrangement of our betrothal to be made final.

I eased away from him so I could look into his face, but he looked down at where he absently stroked my shoulder with his thumb, avoiding my eyes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.