chapter 26

Sable

When I wake up to late morning sunlight, all four men are already up. I can hear the low murmur of their voices conversing from the back of the cabin. I slide out of bed and fish out one of Amora’s loaned T-shirts and a pair of shorts from my pack, get dressed, then run my fingers through my hair before padding out to join them in the kitchen.

Archer is standing over the wood stove as something delicious sizzles in the cast-iron skillet. He looks up as I enter and offers me a brilliant smile. “Good morning. Sleep well?”

“After the late night interlude, yeah,” I reply, passing him to join the others at the table.

There are already dishes waiting—a plate piled high with pancakes, a pitcher of warmed syrup, a dish of sausage patties, and a smaller bowl of scrambled eggs.

“We’re having a feast,” I observe as I sit between Dare and Trystan. I try to keep my tone teasing and flippant, but I’m dying to eat every last thing on this table. Breakfast at my uncle’s usually ended at cereal