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The dishes ashed and put away about the same time the thin mattresses, blankets, and pillows that they’d found in the cupboards that filled the left side ere spread out over the floor

As Jared started pulling off his boots, he noticed Thera’s longing glance at the hipbath and folded screen that stood in one corner of the roo He’d been wet for three days, but that didn’ther head, Thera picked up the kettle heating on the stove, dropped a gauze herb bag into two s, and filled them with hot water

Jared shoved his foot back into the boot and went over to her "We could move the hipbath over near the stove for warmth," he said quietly "It wouldn’t take ive you privacy"

Thera didn’t look at his "Is that hoorks a one wo another one none at all?"

Jared’s temper flared, but he kept his voice even "You approve of what she did today?"

"Even good Queens sometis out of the s "Step aside, Lord Jared I want to turn in now"

"You’re going out to the wagon," he said accusingly

Her green eyes beca that sent a shiver up his spine, re hile with a Black Widow

"Are you going to try and stop ently

Jared stepped aside When she closed the door behind her, he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding

A few minutes later, little Cathryn realized she was the only female in a roo around the roo in the wagon," Jared said soothingly "She and the Gray Lady need to be alone tonight"

Theto ease Cathryn’s fear while bitterly knowing there was nothing they could do without escalating that fear into full-scale panic

Corry worried his lower lip while he watched Cathryn Then he pushed his ht, Cathryn I’ll sleep right beside you"

"You can’t," Cathryn said shrilly "You’re a boy"

Blaed cleared his throat "Since Corry’s taken on the duties of an escort, it seee"

Cathryn looked uncertain

Corry looked hopeful

Eryk and Tomas looked envious

Jared closed his eyes Sweet Darkness, please don’t let the Cathryn couldn’t handle it, and the rest of them wouldn’t tolerate it

"What’s that ed at his collar as if it had suddenly beco a bit nervous for any reason, it’s an escort’s duty and privilege to stay nearby, especially when she’s sleeping"

"Really?" Cathryn said doubtfully

Blaed put one hand over his heart "Really My cousin served as an escort, and he explained it to me"

No one spoke No one dared move until Cathryn lay down on the mattress and shyly smiled while Corry tucked the blanket around her

His eyes shining with pride and pleasure, Corry got settled on his own e as possible

Jared looked away to hide his s, those tould be curled up together like two puppies

The rest of thehts that sat on a couple of suished, but the fire in the hearth still provided enough light to see by

Jared pulled off his boots and set the the blanket around hihed with pleasure With luck, he’d be up early enough to wash before Cathryn woke up, before Thera and the Gray Lady stirred